Category: STEM

Does a scientist use tools? Yes! Scientists use tools to explore the world around them. Whether observing the stars with binoculars, measuring the weather, or studying life in a drop of water, science tools are essential for making discoveries and setting up simple science experiments!

Using Scientific Tools

Science is all about asking questions and exploring the world! Different types of scientists use various tools in their labs to measure, observe, and experiment to find answers to their questions.

💡 With these tools, young scientists can explore everything from biology and chemistry to physics and earth science. Through hands-on experiments and lessons, kids can dive into exciting exploration while learning about the world around them.

Recommended Grade Levels: This list of favorite science tools is perfect for elementary school students from kindergarten to 5th grade (even middle school). It’s a great introduction to simple, more advanced science equipment that kids can use safely. See Pre-K recommendations below.

Favorite Science Tools 

Go ahead and assemble a science kit with some of these tools! Add them to a science center with a specific theme or leave a few loose, such as a magnifying glass, for any observation time.

💡 Make sure to learn about the scientific method and variables to expand on your activities.

• Test Tubes: Small glass containers used to hold liquids during experiments, especially in chemistry.
• Microscope: A tool that helps you see things too tiny for the naked eye, like plant cells or water droplets—perfect for biology!
• Beaker: A container used to mix or heat liquids during science activities.
• Dropper: A tool for transferring small amounts of liquid, great for careful measurements.
• Thermometer: Measures temperature, whether it is how hot the sun is or how cold ice is.
• Magnet: Used to explore magnetism and how it interacts with different materials.
• Scale: Helps weigh objects or measure how heavy things are, like rocks or fruits.
• Petri Dish: A small dish that grows tiny organisms like mold or bacteria.
• Goggles: Protects your eyes during experiments—safety first!
• Ruler: Measures lengths and distances, perfect for comparing plant growth or measuring objects.
• Magnifying Glass: A classic tool for scientists to observe small details up close, like the veins on a leaf or the texture of a rock.
• Stopwatch: Times your experiments, great for activities that involve observing changes over time.
• Molecule Model: Helps students understand what molecules look like and how different atoms connect to form compounds.
• Binoculars: A tool that helps you see things far away, great for outdoor exploration of animals or nature.

Special Tools for Preschool Science

Preschoolers love hands-on exploration, and while they may not need advanced tools, there are special science tools designed just for little hands to spark their curiosity.

• Plastic Magnifying Glass: A simple, child-safe tool that lets young scientists get an up-close look at bugs, leaves, and rocks.
• Kid-Sized Tweezers: These are perfect for small hands to pick up objects like seeds, pebbles, or tiny insects for observation.
• Sensory Bottles: Sealed plastic bottles filled with water, glitter, beads, and other objects, allowing preschoolers to observe movement, color, and floatation mess-free.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Great for water play, sand exploration, or simple science experiments where preschoolers can measure, pour, and compare quantities.
• Color-mixing droppers: These droppers, filled with safe, colored water, help kids explore the concepts of color mixing and observation.
• Binoculars: Lightweight and easy-to-use preschool binoculars allow kids to explore the outdoors and observe birds or clouds at a distance.
• Simple Thermometer: A color-changing or easy-to-read thermometer can help preschoolers understand hot and cold concepts in weather or water play.
• Observation Jars: Clear plastic jars with magnifying lids allow young kids to observe small objects they collect during outdoor exploration safely.

Hands-On Experiment Ideas for Preschoolers:

Color Mixing: (Ages 3-5) Use color-mixing droppers with water to blend primary colors and see what new colors appear! Science Tools: Color Mixing Droppers, Measuring Cups

Nature Observation: (Ages 4-5) Collect small nature items in observation jars or use a plastic magnifying glass to observe them up close. Kids can describe what they see.

Science Tools: Plastic Magnifying Glass, Observation Jar

Sink or Float: (Ages 3-5) Use measuring cups and different objects (like stones, leaves, or plastic toys) to explore what sinks and what floats in water.

Science Tools: Measuring Cups, Sensory Bottle

Outdoor Bird Watching: (Ages 3-5) Head outdoors with binoculars and observe birds or clouds. Kids can point out shapes, colors, and movements. Make a bird feeder and print our mini bird pack to get started.

Science Tools: Binoculars, Kid-Sized Tweezers (for collecting leaves or other small objects)

Magnetic Treasure Hunt: (Ages 3-5) Hide small magnetic objects (like paperclips or coins) in a sandbox or sensory bin. Let the children use magnets to “hunt” and pull the treasures out of the sand! Science Tools: Magnet, Kid-Sized Tweezers

Grab this FREE printable Science Tools List.

Another use of the scientific method can be seen here, along with the best science and engineering practices, which are a little less linear. Why don’t we dive in and take a look at the 8 science and engineering practices and examples of them?

WHAT ARE SCIENTIFIC PRACTICES?

The word “science” comes from the Latin word “knowledge”. So science is all about gaining knowledge about the world around us. But how do scientists come up with that knowledge? In a systematic way that involves lots of observation and experimentation!

The best science and engineering practices below are behaviors that kids can demonstrate as they develop an understanding of science topics and concepts.

They may look less structured than the traditional scientific method, and allow for a more free–flowing approach to problem-solving and finding answers to questions. However, these skills are critical to developing future engineers, inventors, and scientists!

It is essential to allow kids to use the practices with whatever they are learning. This process will encourage the use of higher-order thinking skills for creating, evaluating, and analyzing.

As kids develop the practices of questioning, gathering data, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation. Now that’s a winner!

* Note: You might be familiar with the more traditional scientific method, which includes some similar practices but in a linear format. These steps include asking questions, developing a hypothesis, conducting research, doing experiments and tests, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

8 SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PRACTICES

ASKING QUESTIONS

Asking questions is an integral part of discovering and learning new things. In science, good questions help scientists discover more about the world and how it works.

Asking questions is a fundamental skill for kids to develop. When kids are curious about something, they ask questions. Introduce kids to science activities and themed science centers, and even go out into nature to stir curiosity about the world around them.

Teach kids to ask scientific questions. Scientific questions are defined, can be tested, and can be answered using data. Show kids how to develop good scientific questions by brainstorming possible questions and eliminating any that are too broad and can’t be tested.

The practice of asking questions can be informal, such as in class or small group discussions, or formal, such as written questions. See our questions for reflection.

DEVELOPING AND USING MODELS

Kids might think of models as smaller copies of real cars or planes. In science and engineering, models represent ideas, events, or processes.

Models can help explain complex ideas more simply. They are based on observations and current explanations about how things work. But because they are simplified, they can’t represent every detail. Good models can be tested and redesigned and used to improve predictions.

Maps, drawings, diagrams, 3-D structures, and physical models are examples of models kids may use to develop understanding.

PLANNING AND CARRYING OUT INVESTIGATIONS

Kids can practice planning and carrying out investigations with hands-on science activities that answer a question or test the solution to a problem. A simple plan may include a list of materials needed and the steps to be taken.

A more involved investigation will include identifying relevant variables and considering how they might be observed, measured, and controlled. Kids will need to think about how they will collect and record the data and the time frame needed for the investigation.

💡 Observation is a powerful science tool! Kids are naturally observant!

ANALYZING AND INTERPRETING DATA

Data are the observations and measurements that you collect to answer a question. Before they can be useful, though, data needs to be analyzed and interpreted. Data can be organized with tables, graphs, and other means to help reveal patterns or relationships.

When kids examine the data they have collected, they need to identify anything significant and anything that may be an error. Interpretations of the data are not facts or personal opinions but suggestions about what they mean.

USING MATH AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING

Kids need to understand how math and computer programs are connected to observations, experiences, and ideas about the world around them. This begins with an awareness of mathematics in science.

Using math and computational thinking for kids can be as simple as recognizing and describing the number patterns they see around them. They can describe, measure, and compare quantities and record them in a graph. Then, they can use quantities such as area, volume, weight, and time to answer scientific and engineering questions and problems.

CONSTRUCTING EXPLANATIONS

You want kids to be able to form their explanations rather than just having the science content explained to them. Explanations can be communicated using words, pictures, and numbers; this will take lots of practice for many kids.

Teach kids how to construct explanations in science by getting them to write down what they are thinking. Start with a sentence about what they think the answer is. Then, state the evidence, which is exactly what they observed. Finish with the “because,” which is the scientific principles they have been learning about.

ENGAGING IN ARGUMENTS FROM EVIDENCE

Engaging in arguments is important for kids because it makes explanations or solutions much clearer. It also helps kids learn to differentiate between evidence and opinion and receive and respond to feedback from others.

Often, this process starts with a question, which may have multiple potential answers. Why do you think this is happening? Those possible answers are known as claims. The evidence comes in the form of observations or data, and kids need to work through the evidence that supports the different claims.

OBTAINING, EVALUATING, AND COMMUNICATING INFORMATION

Scientists and engineers must be able to gather information and communicate their findings. Scientific literacy for kids includes finding out, evaluating, and communicating scientific information. Information can be gathered from age-appropriate texts like teacher-recommended STEM, engineering, or science books, videos, and media.

Communicating information can happen in multiple ways. Kids could use words, diagrams, graphs, images, models, interactive displays, discussions, or oral presentations. Provide lots of opportunities for kids to talk about their learning and present their findings differently!

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE SCIENCE PRACTICES PRINTABLE

SCIENCE VOCABULARY

It is never too early to introduce some fantastic science words to kids. Get them started with a printable science vocabulary word list. You’re going to want to incorporate these simple science terms into your next science lesson!

WHAT IS A SCIENTIST

Think like a scientist! Act like a scientist! Scientists like you and me are also curious about the world around them. Learn about the different types of scientists and what they do to increase their understanding of their specific areas of interest. What Is A Scientist

SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Sometimes, the best way to introduce science concepts is through a colorfully illustrated book with characters your kids can relate to! Check out this fantastic list of teacher-approved science books, and get ready to spark curiosity and exploration!

Check out our recommended book lists:

• Engineering books
• Science books
• STEM books

Ever wonder why a sponge soaks up water or why metal feels cold to the touch? The everyday materials around us behave uniquely because of the materials they’re made from. Let’s explore material properties activities with simple experiments and free worksheets.

Properties of Materials Chart This worksheet introduces key properties of materials, such as absorbency, flexibility, water resistance, and strength. Students will explore how materials can be categorized based on these characteristics.

Simple Science Experiment. Testing Absorbency Kids test the absorbency of fabric, paper towels, and plastic materials. They predict which material will absorb the most water and record their findings.

Sort the Materials Students sort pictures of different materials based on their properties (e.g., absorbent, waterproof, flexible, rigid).

Free Activity: Material Properties Pack

Use this free materials project pack to learn more about the properties of materials.