cool space experiments

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Free Attendance Questions Slideshow ✨

38 Space Activities for Kids That Are Out of This World

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to enjoy these!

What kid doesn’t dream about being an astronaut one day and visiting the stars? All future astronauts and rocket scientists will love these fun and free space activities for kids. There are so many space activities for kids that can be done using materials you likely already have laying around the house! Our list includes crafts, science experiments, sensory experiences, and even edible science lessons. Regardless of your little astronaut’s age or interests, there is sure to be something for everyone on our big list of outer space–themed activities!

1. Construct a spinning solar system

This fun pinwheel galaxy is perfect for teaching the orbit of the sun. All you need is a paper plate, colored construction paper, pebbles, and black and silver craft paint.

Learn more: Books and Giggles

2. Create a space-themed board game

This planets board game is a fun way to learn and practice facts about the planets in our solar system. Kids roll a die and work their way around the path to the finish line. This activity comes with free downloadable planet cards.

Learn more: Inspiration Laboratories

3. Make a balloon-powered space rover

This clever craft simulates the tiny rover (just a couple of inches high) that NASA built to explore the surface of an asteroid and take pictures.

Learn more: Space Place

4. Make yarn-wrapped planets

This simple activity will help young students understand the relative size of the planets as well as help them build fine motor skills as they wrap cardboard discs with different colors of yarn.

Learn more:  And Next Comes L

5. Craft a DIY sundial

Help your students build their scientific observation skills. Space activities for kids can be made from simple objects like paper plates, crayons, and a straw like the sun dial shown. This simple sundial will teach them to tell time by tracking the sun’s movement across the sky.

Learn more: Green Kid Crafts

6. Make a model solar system

This is one of those classic space activities for kids that everyone should try at least once. There are hundreds of ways to make one; find options at the link.

Learn more: Gift of Curiosity

7. Snack on the moon phases

What goes better with Oreos than a glass of milk? How about a little bit of moon science! We love lessons you can eat when you’re finished, don’t you?

Learn more: Science Bob

8. Use geoboards to map constellations

Geoboards are such a cool classroom tool , and you can use them for so many things—like making constellations. Get free printable patterns below.

Learn more:  School Time Snippets

[contextly_auto_sidebar]

9. Create an astronaut training center

Space activities like this one for kids encourage them to use their imaginations while they learn. Get lots of cool ideas for stocking your astronaut training center at the link.

Learn more: Early Learning Ideas

10. Propel a rocket into space

Color the free printable rocket templates, then mount them to straw launchers and send them soaring!

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy

11. Play a solar system flash-card game

Use these free printable planet flash cards and repurpose an old Hedbanz set. No game set? Just tape them to kids’ foreheads instead!

Learn more: Simple Everyday Mom

12. Take a tour of the ISS

This video of Astronaut Suni Williams giving a tour of the International Space Station has been viewed millions of times, so why no watch it with your budding space explorers? We especially love that it will encourage young girls to develop their own love of STEM!

13. Assemble marshmallow constellations

Here’s some more yummy science to try! Use toothpicks to connect the marshmallow “stars” to form constellations.

Learn more: Play Teach Repeat

14. Play with galaxy play dough

This gorgeous DIY galaxy play dough is so much fun to play with while you read a book or watch a documentary about space. Learn how it’s made at the link.

Learn more: Days of a Domestic Dad

15. Launch a bottle rocket

This is another one of those classic space activities for kids you simply have to try. Visit the link for the full how-to.

Learn more: Wikihow

16. Model planets from clay

There’s no better way to get to know the individual planets than to model them from clay. Try using foam balls in the center so you don’t need quite so much clay for each one.

Learn more: 3 Dinosaurs

17. Build a LEGO moon rover

Aspiring engineers will love this STEM challenge! Set a series of parameters their creations must meet, then put them to the test.

Learn more: Adventures in Mommydom

18. Light up the constellations

First, make your own LED light magnets, then use them to map out all your favorite constellations.

19. Design a space lander

The challenge? Design a space lander that allows two passengers to land safely on a planet’s surface, using only some very basic materials. This one will really get them thinking.

Learn more: Vivify STEM

20. Join the NASA Kids’ Club

What better place to find space activities for kids than NASA? Their Kids’ Club is full of games, videos, activities, and much more, and it’s all free.

Learn more: NASA Kids’ Club

21. Put the planets in order

Round up all the balls in your house (and a handful of pom-poms for asteroids). Lay them out in order with their relative sizes as a guide.

22. Craft a moon-phases toy

This cool little DIY toy demonstrates the phases of the moon. It’s a snap to make with a couple of clear plastic cups and some construction paper.

Learn more: Happy Tot Shelf

23. Shine a constellation flashlight

Turn a flashlight into a star projector by poking holes into black construction paper. Take it into a dark room and let it shine!

Learn more: Handmade Charlotte

24. Upcycle cardboard tubes into space shuttles

During its heyday, the space shuttle was the most sophisticated spaceship around. Help kids learn about it by building little models from cardboard tubes.

Learn more: A Little Pinch of Perfect

25. Eat a fruity solar system

Snack on the solar system as you learn! This activity combines a healthy snack with space fun.

Learn more: Me and B Make Tea

26. Assemble a constellation luminary

How pretty is this little constellation luminary? Get the free printable and learn how to put it together at the link.

Learn more: Red Ted Art

27. Melt crayons into planet suncatchers

Round up some old crayons and use their shavings to make pretty planet suncatchers to bright up your windows.

Learn more: i.d.e.a. Museum

28. Learn how planets orbit the sun

This quick demo is a good way to introduce the concept of orbits to little learners, using a pie plate, some play dough, and a ball or marble.

29. Build an origami rocket ship

Kids love origami and space, so try combining the two and building this awesome rocket. We love how affordable this activity is since all you really need is some square paper. And you can make your rocket fly into space with just a simple straw!

30. Read some space-themed books

If you want to really learn about a subject like space, reading is probably the best way to do it! There are so, so many great space-themed books on the market for any and all reading levels.

Learn more: 32 Great Space Books

31. Create an upcyled space rocket

We love the idea of keeping a making box in your classroom or home so that kids can let their imaginations run wild. While learning about space, have kids create a model rocket ship from materials like paper cups, bubble wrap, bag ties, and colored elastic bands.

Learn more: Nurture Store

32. Lace up some constellations

Print your free lacing cards here before doing a lesson on constellations. Work on dexterity and hand-eye coordination while learning about the Big Dipper, Orion, Ursa Major, and all the other major constellations!

Learn more: Sorting Sprinkles

33. Do some stargazing with a homemade telescope

Every stargazer needs a telescope, so why not have the littles in your life get to work creating their very own! Save up those paper towel rolls during the weeks leading up to this project. The only other materials you will need are tape, elastics, card stock, and some cool space stickers.

Learn more: Parents/Highlights

34. Run a science experiment about Venus and clouds

Learn about how CO2 functions on the second planet from the sun while conducting a cool science experiment. You can study how carbon dioxide makes up more than 96% of Venus’ atmosphere just using some everyday materials like vinegar, baking soda, and a candle.

Learn more: Teaching Without Chairs

35. Dig into an outer space sensory bin

Space activities like this sensory bin allow kids to learn and explore through tactile experiences. You can use cake mix as the base for your bin and then fill it with space-themed toys. We especially love that kids will familiarize themselves with space vocabulary while playing.

Learn more: Stir the Wonder

36. Make your very own moon craters

Learn about craters that were formed when rocks from outer space smashed into the surface of the moon. You can do this using some basic baking materials like flour, sprinkles, cocoa, and some pans.

Learn more: JPL/NASA

37. Create a galaxy in a jar

Learn about galaxies and nebulas while creating a calming sensory jar. You’ll need a clear jar with a lid, at least two colors of tempera paint, cotton balls, fine glitter, and some water.

Learn more: Mom Dot

38. Learn about orbits with simple materials

Kids can learn about the trajectory of an object through space while gaining a better understanding of both gravity and velocity. The best part is that all you will need is a large kitchen bowl, a tennis ball, and a marble.

Learn more: STEM Activities for Kids

Can’t get enough space? Check out these 36 Out of This World Space-Themed Classroom Ideas .

Plus, check out 32 great space books ..

You Might Also Like

44 Out of This World Space-Themed Classroom Ideas

Ready for liftoff! Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

12 Cool Experiments Done on the International Space Station

By melissa gaskill | oct 27, 2014.

As an orbiting laboratory, the International Space Station (ISS) offers researchers around the world the unique opportunity to perform experiments in microgravity and under the rigors of the space environment. Scientists have used the station for everything from testing technology for future space exploration to studying human health. Sometimes their work involves some pretty unusual experiments. Here are 12 cool ones.

1. Headless flatworms

On Earth, flatworms can regenerate their own cells, replacing them as they age or are damaged. Scientists cut the heads or tails off of flatworms and sent them to the station in September 2014 to study  whether the cell signaling mechanisms behind this regeneration work the same way in space as they do on Earth.  The results should provide insight into how gravity affects tissue regeneration and the rebuilding of damaged organs and nerves, which is important for understanding how wounds heal—both in space and on the ground.

2. Space mice

For humans to explore deep space or live on other planets, we must learn how to deal with the effects of long-term exposure to potent space radiation, which can cause cancer and gene mutations, affecting subsequent generations. Lab mice are important tools for studying radiation effects, but currently, mice can’t go to the station. So instead, this investigation will send frozen mouse embryos  for a ride in space and implant them into surrogate mothers on their return to Earth. Scientists will use these space mice to study longevity, cancer development, and gene mutations.

3. Talking Zucchini

In 2012, Astronaut Don Pettit wrote blog posts  on behalf of a zucchini plant that was grown from a seed on the space station, one of many investigations on growing greenery in space. The ultimate goal is using plants to provide oxygen and fresh produce for crews on long-term space missions. Gravity plays an important role in normal plant growth and development, though, and not only is gravity nearly nonexistent in space, but plants also are affected by radiation, changes in light, and other factors of the space environment. The anthropomorphic Zucchini and its blog were a way to engage students with space-based research and encourage the next generation of space station scientists.

4. Putting out the fire

Fire behaves differently in space, thanks to complicated interactions of fuel vaporization, radiative heat loss, and chemical kinetics. Effectively extinguishing flames in space depends on understanding those interactions. This investigation , performed earlier this month, tested various fire suppressants in microgravity. Researchers found that flames in space burn with a lower temperature, at a slower rate, and with less oxygen than in normal gravity, meaning higher concentrations of materials must be used to put them out. The most surprising discovery was the way heptane droplets seemed to continue to burn under certain conditions even after the initial fire was extinguished. This phenomenon is called "cool-flame extinction." Those who understand conventional theories of droplet combustion say those theories don’t explain this behavior, making the cool flames a unique observation with significant theoretical and practical implications.

5. ISS, Robot

This two-armed humanoid robot torso  mounted in the station can manipulate hardware and work in high risk environments to give crewmembers a break. Robonaut is operated via remote control and can be directed by ground operators through cabin video and telemetry. The half-a-mechanical astronaut also can be controlled by a crewmember wearing a vest, specialized gloves, and a 3D visor. Through this technology, Robonaut mimics the wearer’s movements in Wii-like fashion. In the future, the torso will be given legs and used to perform tasks both inside and outside the ISS.

6. Night lights—Lots of them

The publicly-accessible, online Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth contains photographs from space beginning with the early 1960s up to recent days. A million-plus of these images were taken from the space station, approximately 30 percent of them at night. These photographs are the highest-resolution night imagery available from orbit, thanks to a motorized tripod that compensates for the station’s speed—approximately 17,500 mph—and the motion of the Earth below. Scientists are asking for help cataloging the images through a crowd-source project called Cities at Night . It includes three components: Dark Skies of ISS, which asks people to sort images into cities, stars, and other categories (something computers aren’t good at); Night Cities, which relies on people to match the images to positions on maps; and Lost at Night, which seeks to identify cities within 310-mile-diameter images. Ultimately, the data generated could help save energy, contribute to better human health and safety, and improve our understanding of atmospheric chemistry.

7. Channeling Captain Kirk

Famous explorers kept journals that give us insight into what it took to survive extreme missions, such as reaching the South Pole. Spending months confined in cramped quarters orbiting the earth is one of today’s extreme missions, and for this study , researchers asked 10 crew members aboard the station to keep journals. Crew members wrote on a laptop at least three times a week, and investigators identified 24 major categories of entries with behavioral implications. Ten of those categories accounted for 88 percent of the text: work, outside communications, adjustment, group interaction, recreation/leisure, equipment, events, organization/management, sleep, and food. Men and women from various specialties such as science and engineering and both military and civilians participated. Studying small groups living and working in isolation and confinement is like studying social issues with a microscope, scientists say.

8. The Force is strong here

This project evaluated funky footwear  designed to measure exercise load. NASA developed the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device, which supplies resistance through the power of vacuum cylinders, to give crew members the ability to do weight-bearing exercise in space. Weight-bearing exercise is critical to helping reduce the loss of bone density and skeletal muscle strength that astronauts experience during spaceflight. Four crew members exercised while wearing the high-tech, spring-bottomed sandals, which, like a kind of enhanced bathroom scale, measured the loads and the torque, or twisting force, they applied. The data will help determine the best exercise regimens for safe and effective bone and muscle strength maintenance during spaceflight.

9. Squids in space.

Hawaiian bobtail squids and their symbiotic luminescent bacterium take a ride to the space station. Rather than the start of a joke, this was part of an experiment , performed in September, to look at the effect of microgravity on microbe-dependent animal development and its implications for human health. The squid were inoculated with their symbiotic bacteria once in orbit on the space station and allowed to develop for approximately 24 hours. Researchers closely examined them and found that the bacteria were able to colonize squid tissue in microgravity conditions. The experiment also illustrated the feasibility of using these animals as subjects for microgravity research, so expect to see more squid in space in the future.

10. My microbes grow better than your microbes

For this project , people collected swabs of micro-organisms from museums, historical monuments, football stadiums, and weird places like Sue the T. Rex at Chicago’s Field Museum, the set of the Today Show , and the Liberty Bell. Scientists at University of California - Davis transferred those samples to Petri dishes, incubated them to see which grew into colonies, and identified 48 to send to the space station. Scientists need to know how various microbes behave in space before we seal up people and their microbes in a spacecraft for a long trip together to Mars. The 48 samples and identical cultures on Earth will be analyzed to see how their growth differs between microgravity and the ground. Each microbe has an online trading card  that tells where it was collected, how well it grows, and some interesting facts about it.

11. Sloshing around the station

In space, liquids move differently than they do on earth, but the physics of this motion are not well understood. Researchers at the Florida Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center performed a series of experiments on slosh dynamics  in the station using robotic, free-floating satellites that can independently navigate and re-orient themselves. Researchers hope to design an externally mounted fuel tank that is driven from inside the station by two of these devices to simulate a launch vehicle upper-stage propellant tank and the maneuvers of real vehicles. The experiments will improve computer models of how liquid fuel behaves to make rockets safer.

11 simple, fun space and astronomy activities for kids

Teach kids science and astronomy enjoy some arts and crafts with our space-related science projects for the home or classroom.

Kids learn a lot about science, space and astronomy through textbooks and teaching, but practical, crafty science projects and activities can really help children visualise scientific concepts.

Practical science projects can teach kids lessons like why a solar eclipse happens, the physics of launching a rocket or how the Sun appears to move across the sky throughout the course of a day.

Space and astronomy activities are also great way of inspiring young minds and teaching kids the benefit of the scientific method.

They allow kids to get creative - and perhaps even a bit messy - but along the way parents, teachers and guardians can impart a bit of scientific knowledge and help cement concepts that might otherwise be difficult to explain.

Complete newcomer? Read our guide to astronomy for beginners .

We've selected some of our favourite astronomy, space and science activities for kids for rainy bank holidays or long, lazy summer afternoons.

It pays to do a bit of research before each of our activities, as then you'll be armed with facts and knowledge and hopefully able to field even the trickiest questions.

Most of our space and astronomy activities for kids require just a few household objects and a bit of creativity.

If you do end up trying any of our projects below, we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch and let us know how you get on by emailing [email protected] .

For more projects like these, try our simple astronomy experiments .

And if you're searching for practical stargazing advice for children, read our guide on how to get kids interested in astronomy or the best telescopes for kids .

Solar System mobile

This Solar System mobile is an arts and craft activity, but it offers many opportunities to teach kids about the Solar System.

It's not possible to accurately show the relative sizes and distances of each planet, because the distances are so vast, but you can still make them different sizes and distances from the Sun..

Our guide at the link below will show you what diameter your cardboard planets need to be and how to create the wooden hanging structure, as well as how to decorate it.

To that end, we've provided details about what features are worth including on each planet.

The planets are made from two circles of card and the surface features are sketched before they're slotted together.

The full project - make a Solar System mobile for kids

Pinhole camera

Many kids will know the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west, but may not have considered the apparent path the Sun takes across the sky from dusk 'til dawn.

A pinhole camera is a simple way of capturing a long exposure that will show the Sun's path - known as the ecliptic - for however long you leave it.

A few days work well, but if you have a bit more patience, a period of months will produce something even more spectacular.

Again, this is a fascinating science project that helps children understand a bit more about Earth's orbit around the Sun , but it's ultimately an astrophotography lesson, and as such will also produce something unique and artistic as an end result.

The full project - Make a pinhole camera

Portable sundial

Kids are always fascinated by sundials! Often seen as large, ornate structures in stately homes or public parks, they are a monument to humanity's study of the celestial sphere and our attempt to better understand the world around us.

This is a fun project that's simple to do and can be used to teach kids about the movement of the Sun across the sky, and how that can be used to determine what time of day it is.

All you need is a printer, some card and some glue, but a sharp knife will also help here, so grown-up guidance is a must!

The full project - Make a sundial

This is an 'active' space activity for kids, rather than a craft project.

Star-hopping is a great way to learn your way around the night sky and discover less familiar objects by using the old favourites as a jumping-off point.

It's a technique used by real astronomers to locate celestial objects that are less bright and therefore trickier to find.

A good star hop will begin at a bright, easy-to-spot star and guide you, step-by-step, to locating another star or deep-sky object.

This naked-eye astronomy is perfect for kids and a great way of getting them to spend a bit more time outdoors, gazing up at the night sky.

Our guide at the link below will teach you the basics, and provides a few easy star hops to get you started.

The full project - How to star hop

See the International Space Station

Since the launch of the International Space Station, there has never been a time when every human being has been living on planet Earth.

The ISS is an Earth-orbiting laboratory, and a symbol of our permanent presence in space.

But did you know that you can see the International Space Station in the night sky, from Earth? All you need to know is when and where to look up.

This is a great way of getting kids interested in the night sky, but while you wait for the Space Station to pass overhead it's also an opportunity to teach them about the important scientific work being done 400km above ground.

Swot up on the history of the International Space Station or a few of the strangest things found on the ISS .

The full project - How to see the International Space Station .

Citizen science

Outdoors astronomy isn't ideal if it's raining, or if you don't have an outdoor space that's conveniently accessible at night.

This is where online learning and citizen science comes into play. Astronomers amass a lot of data. So much so that they need help deciphering it.

Citizen science can help real astronomers discover the science of our Sun , find planets around other stars, or help classify galaxies. All you need is a computer and an internet connection.

The full project - Citizen science

Paper sundial

Perhaps slightly easier than our sundial plan above, this one can be done with a piece of card, a protractor, a pencil and a pair of compasses.

The design of sundial is an equatorial sundial, which makes use of the fact that the Sun moves at a rate of 15° per hour, allowing you to tell the local time using the shadow cast by the sundial’s gnomon (central column or pin).

The full project - Make a paper sundial

Scale Solar System model

Diagrams showing the planets of our Solar System orbiting the Sun are a great way of illustrating Earth's cosmic neighbourhood to kids.

It is possible to show the relative sizes of the planets, but in a simple drawing it is impossible to depict to scale the distances between them - the distances are just too vast.

This is a project that shows the distances between the planets to scale, and really helps get across just how big our Solar System is, and how far away the planets are.

The full project - Make a scale model of the Solar System

Planetarium projector

This is a family friendly project to build a planetarium projector that will project a view of the night sky onto a bedroom ceiling.

It makes for a good night light, but is also education, as it can teach kids how to star-hop and navigate between the constellations

And by making multiple pinhole ‘slides’ you can demonstrate how the sky changes through the seasons.

The full project - Make your own planetarium projector

Fairylight constellation

Do your Christmas fairylights live in a box in your attic, only seeing the light of day once a year?

Put them to good use with these light-up displays, which are a simple to make and help you to become more familiar with your favourite constellations.

They make a great nightlight in a child’s bedroom, and are an educational science project for school or at home.

This is one of our favourite space activities for kids and doesn't have to be confined to the Christmas holidays!

The full project - Make a light-up constellation with fairylights

Make your own Moon impact craters

With plasticine, flour and cocoa powder, it's possible to create your own Moon surface and fire impactors to create lunar crators.

This is a great messy-play activity for kids as it involves throwing projectiles into a basin of flour and watching the detritus spray up into the air.

But it also teaches kids about how different sizes and shapes of lunar crater are formed.

What happens if you change the angle or speed of the projectile? How does it affect the shape of the crater?

And can you work out how to throw the projectile to create craters similar to those you can see on the surface of the real Moon?

The full project - Make your own Moon impact craters

Are you a teacher, parent or guardian who loves teaching children about space and astronomy? What are your favourite science projects? Let us know by emailing [email protected] .

Share this article

Science journalist

• Terms and conditions
• Manage preferences

Link up and Listen!

This is the tooltip tooltip-description for the article you hovered over.

Play Bingo While Watching the Psyche Spacecraft Launch!

During the launch broadcast, you can mark off the words that you hear!

Make a Colorful Crayon Europa with Textures!

Create your own colorful crayon Europa with textures!

NASA Activity Books

Become a NASA Space Place Explorer with these printable activity books.

NASA Scavenger Hunts

Complete scavenger hunt activities to spell the secret word!

NASA Space Place Art Challenge!

Think about and draw a space-related situation each month.

NASA Coloring Pages

Color and learn about some faraway worlds with these coloring pages!

Make a Planet Mask!

Make a mask and pretend to be your favorite planet in our solar system!

Make Handprint Art Using Ultraviolet Light!

We can't see the sun's ultraviolet light with our eyes, but with this simple activity we can observe the effects of UV light.

Make Sunspot Cookies!

These sunspots taste delicious

Printable Space Valentines

Share these with your friends and family!

Make Stretchy Universe Slime!

Make the universe stretch and expand!

Make a Pastel Aurora!

Make your own colorful aurora!

NASA Pumpkin Stencils

Paint pumpkins with space and Earth science designs

Make a Fan with Earth's Layers

Cool yourself with Earth’s hot interior

Make a Pinwheel Galaxy Pinwheel

A galaxy in the palm of your hand

Make Sun Paper

Have some fun with the sun!

Make a Comet on a Stick!

A comet close to home

The Space Place Experiment Center

It's science time!

Make a Stained Glass Earth!

See our planet in a whole new light.

Build your own spacecraft!

Become a NASA engineer!

PDFs of Space Place activities

Print-ready, downloadable PDFs of fun hands-on activities.

Tired travelers

How can NASA help us learn about bird migration?

Do a Science Fair Project!

Curiosity is the key!

Make Oreo Moon Phases!

For the New Moon, you must eat all the creme filling!

Make No-Bake Moon Cookies!

These are yummy and need no baking!

Guide your spacecraft through a space maze

Print and do mazes.

What Is a Meteor Shower?

What causes them?

Museums: Partner With NASA

Join the NASA Museum Alliance!

Ions in action

You will get a charge out of this activity!

Hear tiny sounds with a Super Sound Cone!

Hear tiny sounds you never noticed before!

Make asteroids you can eat!

Make yummy potatoes look like asteroids.

"See" inside a closed box!

Map a 3-D map of the invisible.

Make a topographic map!

Build your own mountain, then map it.

Make a Balloon-powered Nanorover!

A fun project to do with the family.

Make a CD Saturn

Turn an old CD into Saturn's rings.

Make colorful star cookies!

Find out why stars aren't all the same color.

Why Do We Send Robots To Space?

We can send robots to explore space without having to worry so much about their safety. Learn more!

Build a Bubble-Powered Rocket!

How high can you make your rocket go?

Build a physics machine!

And learn about conservation of oomph!

What Is El Niño?

Learn all about it then make a yummy dessert that maps the ocean's heat.

Get your Gummy Greenhouse Gases!

Make pollutants from gumdrops, then gobble them up!

Make a Galaxy Montage

Make a colorful work of galactic art.

Make a Galactic Mobile

Let the beauty of the galaxies shine in your room.

Make a Cloud Mobile!

These pretty clouds move, but do not go away.

The Air We Breathe

A picture book about Earth's atmosphere and its importance to life on Earth. This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

Download SpacePlace iPhone Games!

Join the SpacePlace Community!

Space Experiments for Kids

Don’t miss out on these Space Experiments for Kids ! They’re a fun way to get some hands-on learning combined with fun. If your child loves all things space, they’re going to have a blast with these fun space activities for kids .

Since you’re spending time with them talking and learning about space, it just makes sense to add in some fun experiments as well. We all know that kids love to do experiments and be creative and this list of space experiments will give them plenty of choices.

You can pick one or try and do them all – the choice is up to you! The kids are going to have so much fun going through each and every one! All of these experiments are great for the kids to crave even more fun knowledge about space!

This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.

See a list of my favorite Amazon Deals for your home and homeschool.

The best part about these fun experiments is that the kids will have hands-on learning fun! They’ll love being able to create fun experiments and then tell you all about them as well.

This is also a great way for you to interact with them and do experiments with them, too!

Once you do these experiments, you can head outside and look up at the space with the kids, too. This will get them outside in the fresh air and you’ll have more time together learning about space as well.

Recommended Space Books for Kids

Don’t forget to grab the space books! When you’re studying a concept as fun and interesting as space, it just makes sense that you’re going to want to have some really cool space books as well!

I always do my best to find really fun books about the topics that we’re learning about as well. It just makes for a better overall learning experience for the kids and a simple way to help them remember and learn more about topics, too.

What I love to do is have books pretty much scattered all over the house. This is a great way for the kids to always have books handy when they’re needing something to read or do.

I also keep books in the car as well for easy reading. This makes it simple for longer road trips or for when we’re driving around town running errands.

I’d much rather the kids pick up a book and ready and enjoy it than get on an electronic device and screen.

Here are some of our favorite space books that I hope you’ll love, too.

Recommended Space Books

Your kids will learn about the solar system and beyond with these awesome space books for kids! Grab one for your space lover now.

Recommended Space Activity Kits

Little Learners Print & Go Activity Kit: Space

Do you have a space lover? You’ll love these other space vocabulary cards, writing worksheets, interactive notebook pieces, and more in the Little Learners Print & Go Activity Kit: Space.

Space Science Craft Kit

Learn about space in a creative way with these fun crafts!

Recommended Space Kits

If you’re looking for pre-made kits for your kids, and they’re already too tired to experiment but still want to play some more, take a look at these items I have picked for you and maybe it would interest your kids to also make some experiments with them.

Space Lamp Kit

If it’s already nighttime and your kids need to get to bed but don’t want to, this kit is your best pick! Your kids can create their own lamp and look at it every night they go to bed. They’ll be dreaming about space in no time!

Into Space Kit

Looking for ways to memorize the solar system, at the same time have fun? This kit is perfect for your kids, it includes all of the planets in the solar system, playdough, and some cookie-cutter shapers!

Recommended Space Games

As you can see, there are so many great space experiments and activities for kids. And since they’re all fairly simple and easy to do, it’s not going to take long for you and them to work your way through the list.

I’d just keep it simple and start at the top and work your way down so that you are certain that you’re not going to miss any of them in the process.

We’ve done all of these activities and they’re all really unique and fun. And once we get done, I like to dive in and play a game together as a family as well.

Because since we’re all in that helping and interactive mindset already, playing a game together really does make sense!

Below you’ll find some of our favorite space games. They’re really a lot of fun and perfect for space-loving families.

As you can see, there is always something fun to do with space. No matter if you’re doing an experiment or you’re playing a game, just slow down the time and enjoy.

If space is something that the kids love, do what you can together to explore that topic! Make certain to check out the space worksheets below to get some really cool space printables, too.

I love combining learning and fun and these allow for that! I keep some in the car for when the kids are tired of traveling around as well and it works out perfectly!

Get the Space Worksheets!

For fun and engaging space activities that include:

✔️ Vocabulary cards

✔️ Writing worksheets

✔️ Rocket labeling pages

✔️ and more!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Here are some of the best science experiments that the kid are certain to love.

D.I.Y. Moon Sand (or Cloud Dough)

Why spend your money on expensive Moon sand when you can make your own? Check this out to find out how to make yours.

How to Make Galaxy Oobleck (with a science twist!)

With just cornstarch, water and dyes, your kids will be able to make their own oobleck!

Anti-Gravity Galaxy in a Bottle

Stars and galaxies are the first things that come to mind when talking about space. Get your kids to participate in making their own galaxy in a bottle!

How to Make Exploding Paint Rockets with Film Canisters

What better way to go to space than a rocket? These colorful paint rockets will send your kids to their imaginary space with galaxy-colored paints exploding from them. Things will get messy!

Space Preschool Science Experiments: Venus and Neptune

This experiment is great for those who would love to learn about traits of other planets like Venus and Neptune!

Swirling Galaxy Science Project

With just a few pieces of paper, your kids can make their own galaxy at home. Just add water!

Galaxy Jars DIY: Hold the Galaxy Glowing in Your Hands!

This experiment will make your kids feel like they discovered something out of this world!

Growing space tomatoes with the Tomatosphere project

Gardening in space was the most important discovery ever. If your kids want to be space gardeners, this project is for them!

Edible Mars Soil Space Experiment

Who knew learning could be this delicious? Create this edible Mars soil with a few ingredients and make your kids guess what kind of soil Mars has.

Edible Sugar Crystal Science Experiment for Kids

Make this sweet galaxy experiment with your kids! Make sure to make your kids drink lots of water after this!

Fun Science for a Space Theme | Fizzing Planets

Your kids will love this space experiment as they can make their own planet!

Galaxy Jar Experiment- Super Fun Space Activity for Kids!

The galaxy is too big to see, so why not make one in a jar? Check this experiment with your little STEM kids!

These space experiments for kids are super fun and will help satisfy their curiosity about the solar system and space itself! I hope you found your favorite space science activities that you like to do with your kids from this list.

More Space Activities

Space Games for Kids

Paper Plate Spaceship Craft

Space Dot to Dot Printables

Space Rocket Pop Up Card

Space Writing Paper

Space Slime Recipe

Space Color By Number by Homeschool Preschool

I share educational printables and activities to help homeschoolers make learning science fun and engaging!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

• FREE Experiments
• Kitchen Science
• Climate Change
• Egg Experiments
• Fairy Tale Science
• Edible Science
• Human Health
• Inspirational Women
• Forces and Motion
• Science Fair Projects
• STEM Challenges
• Science Sparks Books
• Contact Science Sparks
• Science Resources for Home and School

Easy DIY Space Camp for Kids

May 18, 2022 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

Can you believe it’s been over 50 years since humans landed on the moon for the first time? The historic event was not only an incredible feat of science and engineering but also led to many innovations that have improved human life since. If you have children who are fascinated by space travel ( or if you want to inspire them ) this fun collection of space themed science experiments will make a great home space camp !

Don’t forget I also have a fun space themed book This Is Rocket Science , which explores the principles behind space flight explaining difficult concepts through simple but exciting, hands-on and easy space themed experiments .

DIY Space Camp for Kids

Docking in space.

Docking in space is quite a task, if you’ve seen the movie Apollo 13 I bet you were holding your breath when the astronauts had to dock with the lunar module. This fun docking activity is very simplified but a nice, simple demonstration of how tricky docking in space must be. It requires a bit of teamwork so it is a great first space camp activity!

Did you know Apollo 14 struggled to dock the Command Service Module with the Lunar Module ?

Our Expanding Universe

Did you know the Universe is expanding ? A fun way to demonstrate this is with a balloon!

How does the Earth orbit the Sun?

Discover how the earth orbits the sun and the moon orbits the earth with a super simple orbit activity .

Space Camp – Make a parachute

Discover why parachutes are sometimes used to slow the descent of spacecraft returning to Earth with our fun egg parachute activity . This is a great activity for introducing the concept of air resistance and gravity to kids.

Moon Phase Cupcakes

Learn about the moon with our moon phase cupcakes . Do you know we only see one side of the moon because of how it and the Earth rotates?

Difficulties in space

Try threading pipe cleaners through a colander with bare hands and then wearing thick gloves or washing up gloves. It should feel much harder when wearing gloves.

Imagine being an astronaut and having to do something delicate whilst wearing a space suit!

Make a Rocket!!

A film canister rocket or an easy bottle rocket are both brilliant ways to end a week of space camp ! Just remember to stand back as they both fly upwards with a bang.

These are both fantastic for teaching children about Newton’s Laws of Motion in a fun hands on way too!

Learn about famous space scientists

Katherine Johnson worked at NASA for over 30 years and played a vital role in putting humans on the moon for the first time. She was also the first African-American woman to attend graduate school at West Virginia University.

Learn about Copernicus’s theory of heliocentrism by taking it in turns to play the role of the sun, moon and earth as they orbit each other.

Isaac Newton’s infamous Laws of Motion provide the basis for space travel.

Carline Herschel was a pioneering astronomer and the first woman to discover a comet !

Space Camp – Camp out and stargaze

It’s not a space camp without some stargazing!

If you can, it’s good to camp somewhere away from too much light pollution, but even a back garden stargazing campout is great fun.

Top Tips for Stargazing with Kids

Remember to wrap up warm and use a red torch to help you see in the dark. You can easily make a red torch by attaching a piece of red cellophane over the end of the torch.

Download an app to help identify what you can see, SkyView is a great one to start with.

For more long-term stargazing, start a star diary or journal and record what you can see each night.

The Plough is always a fun group of stars to find, as it looks like a saucepan. It’s actually part of Ursa Major, which is a constellation.

Orion’s Belt sits in the constellation of Orion ( the Hunter ). The belt is three bright stars in a row, which are usually easy to spot!

Another famous star to locate is the North Star , which sits directly above the North Pole and tends to stay in the same position.

What do you think? Will our DIY space Camp be a hit with your children?

Space Camp Booklet

To make it a bit easier, I’ve pulled a few activities together into a little space camp booklet , including a moon phase log book and stargazing log pages.

Day 1 – Mini Bottle Rocket

Design, build and launch a mini rocket!

Day 2 – Expanding Universe

Use a balloon to model our expanding universe!

Day 3 – Egg Drop Parachute

Create and test a parachute for an egg.

Day 4 – Phases of the Moon

Learn about the phases of the moon, make an edible moon phase model and observe how the moon changes each day.

Day 5 – Stargazing

Find out how to be a successful stargazer and keep a log of the night sky.

Last Updated on January 11, 2024 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

🚀40 Awesome Outer Space Activities for Kids

Categories Activities

Dive into some Outer Space Activities for Kids and turn your classroom into a mini solar system. Young students will love learning all about the amazing planets, stars and sun that surround our planet. From crafts to science activities, there’s something for every center of your classroom.

Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times.

Space Activities for Kids

1. space silhouette art for kids.

Get creative with space silhouette art for kids . Transform ordinary paper into a galaxy of different planets in this exciting art project.

2. Planet Match Activity

Looking to learn about the order of the planets? Dive into this planet match activity , there’s even a free printable template for you to download and use today.

3. Bottle Rocket Craft for Kids

Discover the joy of creating rocket ships from recycled bottles with this fun craft idea for kids. Kids will have so much fun making their creations blast off to the international space station or far away black holes.

4. Space Sensory Bin

Explore the wonders of space with this outer space themed sensory bin ! Black beans and pebbles create a tactile sensory play idea like no other. Perfect for young children who love space.

5. Space Lacing Cards

These outer space lacing cards are a great way to develop fine motor skills. Help your little learners with this free printable activity.

6. Space I spy

Improve math skills while exploring the wonders of space in this fun outer space I Spy game . Perfect for kids who are enjoying a space theme.

7. Space Cutting Strips

Explore the wonders of space with these moon landing-themed space cutting strips . Download and print them for free, and let the fun begin.

8. Wet Chalk Outer Space Art

Discover the magic of wet chalk outer space art for kids! Grab some simple supplies and have a great time creating galactic masterpieces together.

Photo: Craftulate

9. Marbled Outer Space Art for Preschoolers

Kids of all ages will have so much fun making these marbled planets ! Dive into space-themed activities and discover a world of creative ideas for kids.

Photo: i Heart Crafty Things

10. Outer Space Water Table Activity

Embark on a thrilling sensory experience through the cosmos with this outer space water table activity . Perfect for a hot summer day with your little ones.

Photo: Happy Toddler Playtime

11. Toilet Paper Roll Rocket and Peg Doll Astronauts

Rocket scientists will have a blast with this fun way to repurpose toilet paper rolls. Get ready for liftoff with this cardboard tube rocket craft !

Photo: Non-toy Gifts

12. Outer Space Yoga Poses

This is one of my favorite space activities. Kids will have so much fun bending their body into different shapes to match these space themed yoga poses .

Photo: Kids Yoga Stories

13. Solar System Button Snake

Thread together this model of the solar system with this unique solar system button snake . Explore the galaxy while strengthening the muscles in your kids hands and fingers.

Photo: Schooltime Snippets

14. Outer Space Bookmarks

Get your kids excited about reading with these outer space bookmarks . A fun activity for all little astronauts! 🚀

Photo: Big Family Blessings

15. How Do Astronauts Eat In Space

Discover how astronauts eat in space ! Engaging science activity for kids who are doing space themed lesson plans.

Photo: Gift of Curiosity

16. Outer Space Number Line Math Practice

Discover an interactive way for kids to learn with this outer space-themed number line activity . This simple activity uses a rocket launch to teach kids math.

17. DIY Edible Solar System Playdough

Create sensory fun and spark space exploration with this edible solar system playdough . A fantastic way to learn about the galaxy!

Photo: Look We’re Learning

18. DIY Rocket Corner Bookmarks

Create your own solar system with these easy craft rocket corner bookmarks . Perfect for adding a touch of fun to your reading adventures!

Photo: Artsy Craftsy Mom

19. Outer Space Sensory Bin

Discover the wonders of outer space through this sensory bin ! Let your child’s imagination soar with fun space activities as they explore various materials.

Photo: Stir the Wonder

20. Solar System Window Clings

Transform your windows with these solar system window clings – a great idea for an educational and fun project!

21. A is for Astronaut Craft (Free Printable)

Practice letter recognition with this free printable A is for Astronaut craft . This is both a cut and paste activity and a simple coloring page. You can use it whichever way works best for you.

22. Outer Space Small World Play on the Light Table

Put the light table to good use with Outer Space Small World Play ! Explore the galaxy with this interactive activity.

Photo: And Next Comes L

23. Order the Planets

Discover a captivating space unit activity that helps kids learn the correct order of planets . Ignite their interest in the wonders of outer space.

Photo: Inspirational Laboratories

24. Outer Space Discovery Bin

Discover the wonders of outer space with this unique discovery bin featuring moon sand and planet balls. Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure!

25. Lego Space Challenge Cards

Boost your child’s engineering skills with these free printable LEGO space challenge cards . Ignite their imagination and build a stellar future!

Photo: Little Bins for Little Hands

26. Fine Motor Space Alien

Ignite your child’s imagination with this fine motor space alien activity ! Spark hours of imaginative play and endless fun.

27. Gravity Experiments for Kids

Discover the wonders of gravity with these fun and educational science experiments for kids. Explore the scientific method and have a blast!

Photo: Science Sparks

28. Outer Space Discovery Bottle

Embark on a cosmic journey with this outer space discovery bottle ! Explore the wonders of space travel like never before. Learn how to make your own.

Photo: Artsy Momma

29. Straw Rockets

Explore the wonders of space science with this straw rocket STEM activity for kids . Spark curiosity and blast off into learning today!

Photo: Buggy and Buddy

30. Astronaut Pretend Play

Looking for a better way to foster creativity? Dive into the world of astronaut pretend play and watch your child’s imagination take flight.

Photo: Best Toys 4 Toddlers

31. DIY Cardboard Space Shuttle

Unleash your creativity and embark on a mission to outer space with this DIY cardboard space shuttle . All you need is a cardboard box and imagination!

Photo: Mama Smiles

32. Magnetic Astronaut Fine Motor Activity

Looking for different ways to boost your child’s fine motor skills? This Magnetic Astronaut activity is the perfect solution!

Photo: JDaniel4’s Mom

33. Outer Space Bingo

Looking for printable activities? Explore this outer space bingo printable , perfect for a family game night or classroom activity. Download it today!

Photo: The Typical Mom

34. Water Beads Outer Space Sensory Bin

Get lost in a galaxy of play with this water beads outer space sensory bin . With endless hours of fun, your little ones will be entertained for a long time to come.

Photo: The Art Kit

35. Free Constellations Printable

Download free printable constellations to explore the night sky. Perfect for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts. Get yours now!

36. Smashing ABC Moon Rocks

Improve your literacy skills with our smashing ABC moon rocks . Unlock the power of words and boost your letter recognition.

37. Sun Paintings

Create vibrant sun paintings for kids using black construction paper and yellow paint. Easy and fun art project for all ages.

38. CVC Constellation Word Building Sensory Bin

Create a celestial sensory experience with this CVC Constellation Word Building Sensory Bin . Watch as stars made from aluminum foil and paper light up your learning!

Photo: The Kindergarten Connection

39. Printable Moon Phases Wheel

Teach your kids about the phases of the moon with this interactive and printable moon phases wheel . Make learning fun with this educational tool!

40. Outer Space Box Fort

Deck out your outer space box fort with glow in the dark stars and embark on a cosmic adventure right at home.

Photo: Laly Mom

41. Astronaut Sensory Bin

Little adventurers will love blasting off into space with this astronaut themed sensory activity . Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who love to learn about space travel.

Are you going to try any of these Space Activities with your kids? Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

13 Wacky Science and Space-Themed Experiments You Can Try at Home

Can you walk on water or create a non-newtonian fluid well, they sure are a few of the great ways to while away the time indoors..

Chris Young

Science experiments are a wonderful way to pass the time and learn or teach others while always, of course, making sure we keep safe and use the correct chemical compounds and equipment.

Millions of people today have been asked to work from home and stay indoors. If you’re a science geek at heart, or if you’re looking for a neat way to entertain your kids, here are a few experiments you can try from the comfort of your home.

RELATED: THESE 11 PHYSICS EXPERIMENTS ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM MAGIC

1. The black snake experiment

The black fire snake is an impressive experiment that is also known as the sugar snake. In order to do the experiment, you will need sugar, baking soda, sand, lighter fluid, and a lighter. 

Put some baking soda on top of a bowl of sand that has been doused in lighting fluid. Once lit, the baking soda makes carbon dioxide gas. The pressure from this gas pushes the carbonate from the burning sugar out, producing the mesmerizing snake-like effect.

If you do try this experiment at home, make sure not to touch the “snake” until it has completely cooled down, also keep away while the reaction is occurring.

2. Make your own 3D hologram

Want to make your own “hologram” — it’s really a clever take on the “Pepper’s ghost” illusion — at home? You can do just that. All you need is a plexiglass CD case, a smartphone, and scissors.

First, you will need to cut pieces out of the CD case and stick them together in order to make a projector, as in the GIF above. As the Home Science video points out, you can use a piece of paper to trace out the correct dimensions on the plexiglass.

Place the projector in the middle of your screen and then download a specially made hologram video that will project the image off all four angles, creating the hologram effect.

3. Create ice in an instant

For this flash freezing trick, all you need to do is place a bottle of water in the freezer for approximately two hours. 

When you cool purified water is to just below freezing point, a little nudge or contact with ice all it takes to freeze it instantly.

For this experiment, freeze water to just below freezing point by using keeping it in the freezer for approximately two hours — to see if it’s at the correct temperature freeze two bottles and keep one as a tester that you can knock to see if it freezes. 

Pour the water onto a cube of ice and marvel as the ice column forms. Thanks to a process called nucleation, pouring the water onto the ice cube means it will quickly freeze and form the column of ice that you can see in this vid by The King of Random.

4. The classic volcano experiment

This is a favorite as far as science experiments go. While we won’t explain to you what a volcano science experiment entails, here is a recipe for one by Teach Beside Me :

6 cups of Flour

2 cups of Salt

2 cups of Water

2 Tbsp of Cooking Oil

Coloring (you can use food coloring or liquid watercolor)

Fill the bottle about 3/4 of the way full with a mix of red coloring, water, and some dish soap. Add 2 Tbsp of baking soda into the bottle, then pour in the vinegar and watch your volcano erupt.

5. Make a crystal out of salt at home

Did you know you can grow cool crystals using any salt? Home Science explains how you can make your own beautiful crystals using  Copper(II) Sulfate Pentahydrate CuSO4.5H2O.

The process is quite simple and relatively safe — just make sure not to touch the chemicals with your bare hands. Add about 5 teaspoons of  Copper(II) Sulfate Pentahydrate into a beaker of about 2 dL hot water. Leave it for two days and the crystals will form themselves at the bottom of the beaker.

Filter impurities out of the liquid and put one of the formed crystals back into the liquid to see it grow into an even bigger size.

6. Make magic mud

“Magic mud” is made from the starch found in potatoes. It is a  non-Newtonian fluid, which means it can behave as both a solid and a liquid. It remains hard when handled but turns into a liquid when left to its own devices.

Check out this video   to see how to extract your own “magic mud” from potatoes, and even make it glow under a black light using tonic water.

7. Universe slime

Aside from getting us to the moon and lighting up the imagination of kids the world over, NASA has also kindly put together some space experiments for kids to try at home.

NASA’s “ Universe Slime ” experiment is supposed to represent how the  universe has been stretching out and expanding since the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago.

All you need is clear school glue, borax, water, red and blue food coloring, and glitter. Head over to NASA’s page for the instructions on how to make your own slime to represent the aftereffects of the Big Bang.

8. Paper circuit constellations

Another great way to help the kids learn about space is this paper constellation circuit experiment, put together by NASA’s Universe of Learning project.

Paper circuits teach the basics of electricity by allowing learners to build  simple low-voltage electronic circuits using only paper, LED lights, a conductive tape such as copper, and a small battery. NASA’s spin on the concept allows kids to light up a representation of the night sky at the same time as building their circuit.

The project does rely on cut-out templates, which can be found here at NASA’s CHANDRA X-ray Observatory website.

9. Dancing Oobleck

Oobleck is another non-Newtonian fluid, meaning it is perfect for visually surprising experiments. One well-known example is the Oobleck dance.

Check out this video by Babble Dabble Do to see how heavy bass and Oobleck fluid make for a groovy combination that can be easily replicated at home.

KIX, a Malaysian bank, even went as far as filling a 2,100-gallon pool with Oobleck fluid for a commercial.

Other experiments, such as shooting a golf ball through a balloon full of Oobleck are also very cool, though a little tricky to try at home.

Oobleck is made out of 1 part water and 1.5 to 2 parts cornstarch as well as a small amount of optional food coloring.

10. The elephant’s toothpaste demonstration

This well-known demonstration sees a steaming foamy substance, created by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, come shooting out of a beaker.

It looks sort of like a giant-sized cartoon toothpaste container having its contents rapidly squeezed out – hence the name. Make your own elephant’s toothpaste with these instructions .

11. Storm in a jar

Another experiment that’s useful for educating learners about science through its chemical reactions as well as the way they can be used to represent other real-life scientific phenomena.

With its visually impressive swirly colorful clouds, the “Storm in a Jar” experiment can be used to help you teach your kids how clouds slowly fill with moisture from the air, and eventually let out rain when they become over-saturated.

All you’ll need is a jar, shaving cream, glow in the dark or neon paint, water, pipettes, bowls, and a spoon. Check out these instructions from Growing a Jeweled Rose .

12. Form a cloud in a bottle

You’ve already shown a visual representation of how rain works (see the point above), so how about forming a cloud inside a bottle to give a real-life demonstration of how the process happens right from the beginning?

You’ll need a transparent glass jar or bottle, warm tap water, a metal tray, ice, a spoon, and a match.

This useful science experiment from NASA   teaches you how to condense water vapor inside a bottle to show how clouds are formed. Check out the instructions over at NASA ‘s Jet Propulsion Lab website.

13. Melt metal in your hands

As this  video points out, Gallium is a metal that melts in your hands.  The melting point for gallium is relatively low at 85.6°F (29.8°C). Because of its melting point, it will stay solid on a table or room-temperature surface but will melt in the palm of your hand — making it perfect for surprising experiments.

Warm Gallium up just a little and it looks like mercury, allowing you to shoot the liquid form of the metal out of a syringe.

Science can be a distraction, it can be a force for good, and it can also be a roaring fun time. All you need are a few choice materials, the right equipment, the right amount of adult supervision and you’re all set to go.

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

The blueprint daily.

Stay up-to-date on engineering, tech, space, and science news with The Blueprint.

By clicking sign up, you confirm that you accept this site's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Chris Young Chris Young is a journalist, copywriter, blogger and tech geek at heart who’s reported on the likes of the Mobile World Congress, written for Lifehack, The Culture Trip, Flydoscope and some of the world’s biggest tech companies, including NEC and Thales, about robots, satellites and other world-changing innovations. 

POPULAR ARTICLES

Milk’s survival secret: how a genetic mutation changed human diet forever, gnatalie: 75-feet-long rare dinosaur species fossil from 150 million years ago, martian ears: scientists develop sound system to track wind speeds on mars, physics of cricket: wind tunnel experiment unveils fast bowlers’ secret weapons, related articles.

Australia is generating too much solar power

Japan: Robot detects 25-ton radioactive water leak at Fukushima nuclear site

Fireproof: 95% recyclable home battery lasts 20 years, bears -40°F to 131°F

NASA teams up with energy giant BP to drill for hidden Moon, Mars resources

Get Your ALL ACCESS Shop Pass here →

Easy Space Activities For Kids

Blast into fantastic space activities for kids of all ages (preschool to middle school). Explore the night sky with these fantastic space projects for kids ranging from hands-on science and sensory activities to favorite space-theme art activities.

Build a shuttle with Mae Jemison, explore the constellations with Neil deGrasse Tyson, whip up galaxy slime, test your engineering skills with space-themed STEM challenges, and more! We love fun simple science activities for kids!

Earth Science for Kids

Astronomy is included under the branch of science known as Earth Science . It’s the study of the Earth and everything in the universe beyond the Earth’s atmosphere including the sun, moon, planets, stars, and much more. More areas of Earth Science include the following:

• Geology – the study of rocks and land.
• Oceanography – the study of oceans.
• Meteorology – the study of weather.
• Astronomy – the study of stars, planets, and space.

Kids will have a blast with these simple to set up space theme activities that explore space in a hands-on way! Whether you want to dig your hands into a handful of moon sand or sculpt an edible moon cycle, we have you covered! Want to build a model space shuttle or paint a galaxy? Let’s go!

When it comes to doing space-themed activities for preschool through to middle school science , keep it fun and very hands-on. Pick science activities where kids can be involved and not just watch you!

Make it STEM or STEAM with a wide range of space, moon, galaxy, and star-themed projects that combine parts of science, technology, engineering, math, and art (STEAM).

How To Use Space Theme STEM Challenges

STEM challenges are usually open-ended suggestions to solve a problem. That’s a big part of what STEM is all about !

Ask a question, develop solutions, design, test, and retest! The tasks are meant to get kids thinking about and using the design process.

What’s the design process? I’m glad you asked! In many ways, it’s a series of steps an engineer, inventor, or scientist would go through to solve a problem. Learn more about the steps of the engineering design process .

• Use in the classroom, at home, or with clubs and groups.
• Print, cut, and laminate to use repeatedly (or use page protectors).
• Perfect for individual or group challenges.
• Set a time constraint, or make it an all-day project!
• Talk about and share the results of each challenge.

FREE Printable Space Activities Guide

Grab a free printable space activity pack to plan a space theme, including our reader’s favorite STEM challenge cards, a list of ideas, and I Spy!

Space Activities For Kids

Below, you will find a fun selection of space crafts, science, STEM, art, slime, and sensory play activities that explore space, including the moon, our solar system and galaxies ! There are space ideas for preschoolers to elementary-age kids and older. Look for a variety of free printables throughout the projects!

Watercolor Galaxy Painting

Create your own watercolor galaxy art inspired by the beauty of our incredible Milky Way galaxy. This galaxy watercolor painting is a great way to explore mixed-media art with kiddos of all ages.

Fizzy Moon Painting

The moon in your night sky may not fizz and bubble like this fizzy space STEAM activity, but it’s still a fun way to dig into astronomy, chemistry, and art simultaneously!

Glow In The Dark Puffy Paint Moon

Every night, you can look up into the sky and notice the moon’s changing shape! So let’s bring the moon indoors with this fun and simple puffy paint moon craft.

Phases of the Moon Craft

What are the different phases of the moon? Another fun way to learn the moon phases with this simple moon craft activity.

Galaxy In A Jar

A colorful galaxy in a jar. Did you know that galaxies actually get their colors from the stars within that galaxy? It’s called the stellar population! You can make your own space science in a jar instead!

Fizzy Space Art

Explore the cosmos with this fun fizzy space art project! You can create colorful galaxy designs that bubble and fizz with simple household items.

Engineering Projects

Build a satellite.

Build your own satellite for fantastic space themes STEM and learn a little bit about the incredible mathematician, Evelyn Boyd Granville, in the process.

Build a Lunar Lander

Build your own model of the Apollo Lunar Lander for STEM in honor of renowned African American mathematician Katherine Johnson. Katherine Johnson’s calculations were critical to the success of the Apollo lunar landings.

Build an Aquarius Reef Base

Build a simple model of the Aquarius Reef base inspired by astronaut John Herrington. He was the commander of a small team of people who spent ten days living and working underwater.

Space Shuttle Challenge

Develop your engineering skills as you design and build a space shuttle from simple supplies.

Make A Paper Rocket

Kids will love making this simple paper rocket activity using our free rocket template and a straw. Learn about physics with gravity, propulsion, energy, and aerodynamics while having a blast! A cardboard rocket ship is also fun to build!

Outdoor Activities

Explore the constellations.

Have you ever stopped and gazed at the stars on a clear dark night? It’s one of my favorite things to do when we have a quiet evening. Learn about the constellations you can see with these easy constellation activities. Free printable included!

Make a Star Projector or Planetarium

Planetariums are great places to see what the night sky looks like without having to have a powerful telescope. Create your own DIY planetarium from a few simple supplies and explore constellations found in the Milky Way galaxy.

DIY Pinhole Camera

Find out how to make a pinhole camera from a cereal box, and how a DIY pinhole camera allows you to view this amazing phenomena of an eclipse safely!

Science Activities

Oreo moon phases.

Enjoy a bit of edible astronomy with this Oreo space activity. Explore how the moon’s shape or moon phases change over the course of the month with a favorite cookie sandwich.

Solar System Diorama

Learn about the planets in our amazing solar system with this hands-on solar system project. Find out how to make a solar system model for a school project or for home. All you need are a few simple supplies to create your own solar system diorama.

Build a Spectroscope

A spectroscope is an instrument that astronomers use to study gases, and stars in space. Create your own DIY spectroscope from a few simple supplies and make a rainbow from visible light.

Solar Eclipse Model

Are you prepping to watch the solar eclipse or want to learn more about how it happens? To help explain this phenomenon, make a DIY solar eclipse model with kids.

Sensory Play

Fizzing moon rocks.

Why not make a batch of fizzing moon rocks to celebrate the lunar landing anniversary? Make sure to have plenty of baking soda and vinegar on hand because your kids will want to make tons of these cool “rocks”.

Make Moon Craters with Moon Dough

Explore how moon craters are formed, with this easy sensory moon dough mixture!

Another fun sensory recipe with a space theme. Great for hands-on learning with a theme variation on our moon dough recipe above.

Space Sensory Bin

Find out how to put together this fun space theme sensory bin.

Make Constellations with Playdough

A fun introduction to constellations for younger kids. Make simple constellations from playdough and our printable constellation playdough mats.

Galaxy Slime

What colors do you find in outer space? Make this beautiful galaxy inspired slime that kids will love playing with!

Space Playdough

Explore the wonders of the galaxy with our printable space playdough mats ! Featuring an alphabet of space-themed images to create, tracing activities for name recognition, and counting exercises, all designed to make learning fun and interactive for young learners.

Space Printables

Star life cycle.

Explore the life cycle of a star with easy-to-print information. This mini-reading activity is the perfect complement to our galaxy or constellation activities. Grab the star life cycle activities here.

Layers of the Atmosphere

Learn about the Earth’s atmosphere with these fun printable worksheets and games below. An easy way to explore the layers of the atmosphere and why they are essential to our biosphere.

LEGO Space Challenge Cards

Explore space with free, fun, and easy-to-use LEGO space challenges using basic bricks!

Solar System Lapbook

Learn some facts about our amazing solar system with this printable solar system lapbook project. Includes a diagram of the planets in the solar system.

Solar Eclipse Activities

Find out what a solar eclipse is, and the different types of solar eclipses. Plus, grab the printable solar eclipse activity pack to join in the fun!

Star Wars Activities

From coloring pages, search and finds, would you rather questions and more. May the Force guide you on your epic Star Wars adventure with our printable Star Wars Activity Pack !

Science Fiction Would You Rather

A fun and imaginative way to explore outer space with a group of kids. Grab the free printable would you rather questions.

Space Color By Number

If your middle schooler needs some practice converting mixed fractions to improper fractions, grab this free printable color-by-code math activity with a space theme.

Space Pattern Blocks

Explore math and space simultaneously with free space themed pattern block mats .

Neil Armstrong Activity Book

Grab this printable Neil Armstrong workbook to add to your space-theme lesson plan. An American astronaut, Armstrong was the first to walk on the moon.

Set Up A Space Camp Week

Grab this free printable guide to start planning your space camp week filled with awesome science, STEM, and art activities. It’s not just for summer camp; try this camp any time of the year, including vacations, after-school groups, library groups, scouts, and more!

Just enough activities to get you started! Plus, you can add in our printable LEGO challenges and other activities included above if you need a few more. Make a plan to explore the night sky, whip up a batch of galaxy slime, and learn all about the 1969 Lunar Landing with our pack below.

Printable Space Projects Pack

With  250+ pages of hands-on fun space themed fun, you can easily explore classic space themes with your kiddos including moon phases, constellations, the solar system, and of course the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar landing with Neil Armstrong.

⭐️ Activities include supply lists, instructions, and step-by-step pictures. Also Includes FULL Space Camp Week. ⭐️

Celebrate the 1969 lunar landing  with easy-to-do activities at home, with groups, at camp, or in the classroom. Read up on this famous event and learn more about Neil Armstrong as well.

• Moon STEAM activities combine science, technology, engineering, art, and math  with supply lists, set up and process photos, and science information. Craters, fizzy moon rocks, edible moon phases, watercolor galaxies, a DIY planetarium, bottle rocket, and so  MUCH MORE!
• Printable Moon STEM challenges  that are simple but engaging for home or classroom. Also included, is a  Moon theme STEM Story with challenges  perfect for going on a STEM adventure inside or outside!
• Moon phases & Constellation activities  include charting moon phases, oreo moon phases, moon phases mini book, and more!
• Solar System activities  include a  solar system lapbook template  and plenty of information to learn about the solar system and beyond!
• Moon extras include  I-Spy, algorithm game, binary code project, 3D rocket building, thaumatropes, and MORE!

• Pingback: Fascinating Geology for Kids | Little Bins for Little Hands
• Pingback: Earth Day Activities For Preschool & Beyond | Little Bins for Little Hands
• Pingback: 25+ Preschool Activities For Playful Learning | Little Bins for Little Hands
• Pingback: Put Me In The Zoo Polka Dot Slime | Little Bins for Little Hands

Thank you so much for everything you do. You are a very talented and dedicated person. Most of the time when I request one of your freebie printouts I recieve them. But the constellation card pack has me stymied.I must have requested them 12 times yesterday and again today. The don’t make it through. Could you please help me? Linda

I work with a special Ed.. teacher, she did the moon sand for an activity with the children, they have so much fun, hiding objects: toys, we help as well with the moon sand every one has a container with the sand. Taking turns each took an item and described. This activity help them learn to take turns, follow instructions, answer questions, and the most learn having fun!!

Please email me [email protected] and also check spam/promotions

love all your ideas, but difficult to print out any of them ,for instance, galaxy slime, without having to print out multiple (10?) pages each time i want to duplicate or try an activity…so I end up not doing them at all. can you make it easier to keep ( less pages,less ink,less paper wasted)

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to receive a free 5-Day STEM Challenge Guide

~ projects to try now ~.

Space Activities For Kids

We are obsessed with space making it one of the most popular themes for our unit studies. Anytime we can put a space twist on a project, my kids are instantly enthusiastic! From stars to black holes, exploring the solar system to imagining we are astronauts, the possibilities are endless! Check out our favourite Space Activities for Kids?

Educational Activities with a Space Theme

What you will discover in this article!

Disclaimer: This article may contain commission or affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer I earn from qualifying purchases. Not seeing our videos? Turn off any adblockers to ensure our video feed can be seen. Or visit our YouTube channel to see if the video has been uploaded there. We are slowly uploading our archives. Thanks!

One of the things I love about homeschooling is that I can encourage my kids to chase their passions. Passion projects are an incredible way to inspire students and foster a strong love of learning.

When I am building a unit study for my kiddos, I always look for themes and topics that I know my kids will get passionate about. For many years now the one topic that has consistently being popular has been Space.

Even now, as a teenager, my son is talking about working on a PhD in Astrophysics, so all these space activities definitely left an impression!

Space Activities for Kids

Since we have been doing space themed activities and unit studies for so long, I have a lot of activities and ideas. In fact, I have some projects that go all the way back to when the kids were in preschool. So there really is something for every space loving student here!

Space Experiments

Bottle rockets.

You don’t need to buy a special kit to play with rockets though, you can do it yourself with some simple materials from your kitchen. Check out these chemical reaction powered Bottle Rockets .

Starry Night Skittles Experiment

This classic experiment is always a hit with the kids. In this edition we took our inspiration from Starry Night and explored the night skies with our candy science creation. We also did a Northern Lights activity with the same concept. This activity was all about candy, science, art and the night skies !

Sky Science

While staring at the skies, many kids will ask why the sky seems to change colour during sunrise and sunset. This is a great question from our avid sky gazers that we can answer with a simple science experiment.

Erupting Black Holes

When we saw the first official picture of a black hole my kids were so excited! We took one of our favourite chemical reactions between vinegar and baking soda, and turned it into a cool science activity. Just take a look at these Erupting Black Holes !

Galaxy Magic Milk

Looking for a science experiment that captures the stunning beauty of the galaxies and nebulas? Check out this twist on a popular and simple science experiment, Galaxy Magic Milk . This experiment is so simple, but has serious WOW factor!

Galaxy Space Art

Combine chemical reactions with art in this fun and easy activity making Galaxy Prints . Kids will love exploring these chemical reactions, then capturing their beauty in an art piece that they can then bring to life like the night skies!

Space STEM and Circuit Building

Motorized space thaumatrope.

Take this classic optical illusion toy and power it up with a motorized circuit with an on/off switch. Students will learn circuit building and soldering techniques, along with engineering skills. Then turn it on and explore the science behind optical illusions as the art changes before your eyes.

Moon Phases Cellphone Projector

Explore the lunar cycles and build STEM skills in this Moon Phases Cellphone Projector STEM Project.

Rocket Launcher

3, 2, 1… BLAST OFF! You can’t talk about space without talking about rockets! This kit from MEL Kids includes a STEM project, plus lessons on space and the planets.

Space Projects

Galaxy bath bombs.

When we started making our own bath bombs, it didn’t take long before the kids were asking to make a Galaxy Bath Bomb, and boy they turned out amazing!

Galaxy Soap

After making Galaxy Bath Bombs, we decided it was time to make some space inspired soaps. Stars included!

Northern Lights Bath Bombs

Living in the North we are blessed to see the incredible dancing colours of the Northern Lights on a regular basis. Here we tried to capture that gorgeous natural art in a bath bomb that also glows in the dark!

Star Wars Gummies

Part of being space enthusiasts means we also love to celebrate Star Wars! This is a great candy making activity for May the 4th, a Star Wars themed birthday, or any day when you want to make some delicious Star Wars Gummies. This recipe is so much fun!

Star Wars Soap

These little soaps are super cute for your young Star Wars fans and help encourage proper hand washing.

Black Hole Bath Bombs

These bath bombs are an incredible chemistry lesson but also gave us a fun way to celebrate our love of black holes and astronomy! My space loving teen also loved that these charcoal based bath bombs help calm acne breakouts on the body. A win-win!

Space Themed Activities

Lunar and solar eclipse activity and printable.

Learn all about both Lunar Eclipses and Solar Eclipses, then build a model to demonstrate how an Eclipse occurs as Earth, Sun and Moon align. Then grab the printable to use with your students.

Space Travel Sensory Bottle

Calling all young astronauts, prepare for lift off! This sensory bottle concept is perfect for helping toddlers to kids practice their breathing techniques and calm themselves as they dream of space travel.

Meteor Shower Watching

It makes complete sense that if a student wants to learn about space, the first thing we need to do is get them out watching the night skies! Doing this during a meteor shower adds extra excitement to our glimpse into space. Learn some tips for watching meteor showers with kids for an amazing night under the stars!

Pipe Cleaner Constellations

After watching the night skies, it is only natural to want to learn more about the constellations and the stories behind the alignment of the stars. This Pipe Cleaner Constellations activity is a fantastic way to get hands on in learning the constellations.

Galaxy Moon Dough

Looking for a sensory experience your kids will go crazy over? This Galaxy Moon Dough recipe is luxurious and absolutely amazing to explore and play with (we prefer this recipe to Galaxy Slime). With it’s deep rich space colours and splatter of sparkling glitter stars, it will keep your young astronauts dreaming about space as they play and explore.

Dive even deeper into sensory play with glow moon dough .

Space STEM Story Challenge

Your aspiring astronauts will love making puppets and writing their very own space adventure stories in this story writing challenge. Once they create their characters and write their stories, they can act them out and share their space travel adventures.

Paper Model of the Solar System

Using paper, create a model of the solar system. This is a great project to build a display for a classroom or learning space.

Space Printables

Members of the STEAM Powered Family Mailing List get access to free printables, educational resources, activity ideas, and more. Use these forms to sign up and unlock the free printables!

Note: If you are already a member, simply enter your email address to unlock the printable.

Space Week Printable

Explore World Space Week October 4 to 11 with this special printable.

Planets Printable

Explore the solar system with this free printable that explores the planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Moon Phases Printable

Study the phases of the moon and learn all the terminology for the moon phases in this fun printable.

Fun Space Activities Printable

Just a fun pack with word searches, mazes and space fun!

Find Even More Lesson Packs In The SPF Shop

Northern lights printable lesson pack.

Explore the beauty of the incredible Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) with this lesson and activity pack available in our shop.

Solar System Lesson Pack

This 22 page lesson pack includes activities, puzzles, fun facts, vocabulary, and so much more about our Solar System. Explore the Solar System with your students, available in our shop .

The Moon Lesson Pack

Learn fun facts about the moon, the moon’s phases, vocabulary and so much more in this educational lesson pack on the Moon , available in our Shop.

The Sun Printable Lesson Pack

Explore the powerhouse of our Solar System as you learn all about the Sun with this lesson and activity pack. Learn fun facts, the layers of the Sun, vocabulary and so much more with this Sun Lesson Pack available in our Shop.

More Space Resources

Whenever you are looking for information on space, you go to the authority, NASA ! They have a wealth of information, activity ideas, programs, news and more. We love looking at all the incredible pictures they have from space.

Canadian Space Agency

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) also offers some really fun educational activities and programs for students.

Royal Astronomical Society

We have learned a lot from our membership with the Royal Astronomical Society and really enjoy their magazines, guides and information. They have youth memberships for kids who are passionate about the night skies!

Have fun traveling the universe with your space lovers with these fun Space Activities for Kids. 3, 2, 1…. BLAST OFF!!!

5 Days of Smart STEM Ideas for Kids

Get started in STEM with easy, engaging activities.

Choose Your Test

• Search Blogs By Category
• College Admissions
• AP and IB Exams
• GPA and Coursework

37 Cool Science Experiments for Kids to Do at Home

General Education

Are you looking for cool science experiments for kids at home or for class? We've got you covered! We've compiled a list of 37 of the best science experiments for kids that cover areas of science ranging from outer space to dinosaurs to chemical reactions. By doing these easy science experiments, kids will make their own blubber and see how polar bears stay warm, make a rain cloud in a jar to observe how weather changes, create a potato battery that'll really power a lightbulb, and more.

Below are 37 of the best science projects for kids to try. For each one we include a description of the experiment, which area(s) of science it teaches kids about, how difficult it is (easy/medium/hard), how messy it is (low/medium/high), and the materials you need to do the project. Note that experiments labelled "hard" are definitely still doable; they just require more materials or time than most of these other science experiments for kids.

#1: Insect Hotels

• Teaches Kids About: Zoology
• Difficulty Level: Medium
• Messiness Level: Medium

Insect hotels can be as simple (just a few sticks wrapped in a bundle) or as elaborate as you'd like, and they're a great way for kids to get creative making the hotel and then get rewarded by seeing who has moved into the home they built. After creating a hotel with hiding places for bugs, place it outside (near a garden is often a good spot), wait a few days, then check it to see who has occupied the "rooms." You can also use a bug ID book or app to try and identify the visitors.

• Materials Needed
• Shadow box or other box with multiple compartments
• Hot glue gun with glue
• Sticks, bark, small rocks, dried leaves, bits of yarn/wool, etc.

#2: DIY Lava Lamp

• Teaches Kids About: Chemical reactions
• Difficulty Level: Easy

In this quick and fun science experiment, kids will mix water, oil, food coloring, and antacid tablets to create their own (temporary) lava lamp . Oil and water don't mix easily, and the antacid tablets will cause the oil to form little globules that are dyed by the food coloring. Just add the ingredients together and you'll end up with a homemade lava lamp!

• Vegetable oil
• Food coloring
• Antacid tablets

#3: Magnetic Slime

• Teaches Kids About: Magnets
• Messiness Level: High (The slime is black and will slightly dye your fingers when you play with it, but it washes off easily.)

A step up from silly putty and Play-Doh, magnetic slime is fun to play with but also teaches kids about magnets and how they attract and repel each other. Some of the ingredients you aren't likely to have around the house, but they can all be purchased online. After mixing the ingredients together, you can use the neodymium magnet (regular magnets won't be strong enough) to make the magnetic slime move without touching it!

• Liquid starch
• Adhesive glue
• Iron oxide powder
• Neodymium (rare earth) magnet

#4: Baking Soda Volcanoes

• Teaches Kids About: Chemical reactions, earth science
• Difficulty Level: Easy-medium
• Messiness Level: High

Baking soda volcanoes are one of the classic science projects for kids, and they're also one of the most popular. It's hard to top the excitement of a volcano erupting inside your home. This experiment can also be as simple or in-depth as you like. For the eruption, all you need is baking soda and vinegar (dishwashing detergent adds some extra power to the eruption), but you can make the "volcano" as elaborate and lifelike as you wish.

• Baking soda
• Dishwashing detergent
• Large mason jar or soda bottle
• Playdough or aluminum foil to make the "volcano"
• Additional items to place around the volcano (optional)
• Food coloring (optional)

#5: Tornado in a Jar

• Teaches Kids About: Weather
• Messiness Level: Low

This is one of the quick and easy and science experiments for kids to teach them about weather. It only takes about five minutes and a few materials to set up, but once you have it ready you and your kids can create your own miniature tornado whose vortex you can see and the strength of which you can change depending on how quickly you swirl the jar.

• Glitter (optional)

#6: Colored Celery Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Plants

This celery science experiment is another classic science experiment that parents and teachers like because it's easy to do and gives kids a great visual understanding of how transpiration works and how plants get water and nutrients. Just place celery stalks in cups of colored water, wait at least a day, and you'll see the celery leaves take on the color of the water. This happens because celery stalks (like other plants) contain small capillaries that they use to transport water and nutrients throughout the plant.

• Celery stalks (can also use white flowers or pale-colored cabbage)

#7: Rain Cloud in a Jar

This experiment teaches kids about weather and lets them learn how clouds form by making their own rain cloud . This is definitely a science project that requires adult supervision since it uses boiling water as one of the ingredients, but once you pour the water into a glass jar, the experiment is fast and easy, and you'll be rewarded with a little cloud forming in the jar due to condensation.

• Glass jar with a lid
• Boiling water
• Aerosol hairspray

#8: Edible Rock Candy

• Teaches Kids About: Crystal formation

It takes about a week for the crystals of this rock candy experiment to form, but once they have you'll be able to eat the results! After creating a sugar solution, you'll fill jars with it and dangle strings in them that'll slowly become covered with the crystals. This experiment involves heating and pouring boiling water, so adult supervision is necessary, once that step is complete, even very young kids will be excited to watch crystals slowly form.

• Large saucepan
• Clothespins
• String or small skewers
• Candy flavoring (optional)

#9: Water Xylophone

• Teaches Kids About: Sound waves

With just some basic materials you can create your own musical instrument to teach kids about sound waves. In this water xylophone experiment , you'll fill glass jars with varying levels of water. Once they're all lined up, kids can hit the sides with wooden sticks and see how the itch differs depending on how much water is in the jar (more water=lower pitch, less water=higher pitch). This is because sound waves travel differently depending on how full the jars are with water.

• Wooden sticks/skewers

#10: Blood Model in a Jar

• Teaches Kids About: Human biology

This blood model experiment is a great way to get kids to visual what their blood looks like and how complicated it really is. Each ingredient represents a different component of blood (plasma, platelets, red blood cells, etc.), so you just add a certain amount of each to the jar, swirl it around a bit, and you have a model of what your blood looks like.

• Empty jar or bottle
• Red cinnamon candies
• Marshmallows or dry white lima beans
• White sprinkles

#11: Potato Battery

• Teaches Kids About: Electricity
• Difficulty Level: Hard

Did you know that a simple potato can produce enough energy to keep a light bulb lit for over a month? You can create a simple potato battery to show kids. There are kits that provide all the necessary materials and how to set it up, but if you don't purchase one of these it can be a bit trickier to gather everything you need and assemble it correctly. Once it's set though, you'll have your own farm grown battery!

• Fresh potato
• Galvanized nail
• Copper coin

#12: Homemade Pulley

• Teaches Kids About: Simple machines

This science activity requires some materials you may not already have, but once you've gotten them, the homemade pulley takes only a few minutes to set up, and you can leave the pulley up for your kids to play with all year round. This pulley is best set up outside, but can also be done indoors.

• Clothesline
• 2 clothesline pulleys

#13: Light Refraction

• Teaches Kids About: Light

This light refraction experiment takes only a few minutes to set up and uses basic materials, but it's a great way to show kids how light travels. You'll draw two arrows on a sticky note, stick it to the wall, then fill a clear water bottle with water. As you move the water bottle in front of the arrows, the arrows will appear to change the direction they're pointing. This is because of the refraction that occurs when light passes through materials like water and plastic.

• Sticky note
• Transparent water bottle

#14: Nature Journaling

• Teaches Kids About: Ecology, scientific observation

A nature journal is a great way to encourage kids to be creative and really pay attention to what's going on around them. All you need is a blank journal (you can buy one or make your own) along with something to write with. Then just go outside and encourage your children to write or draw what they notice. This could include descriptions of animals they see, tracings of leaves, a drawing of a beautiful flower, etc. Encourage your kids to ask questions about what they observe (Why do birds need to build nests? Why is this flower so brightly colored?) and explain to them that scientists collect research by doing exactly what they're doing now.

• Blank journal or notebook
• Pens/pencils/crayons/markers
• Tape or glue for adding items to the journal

#15: DIY Solar Oven

• Teaches Kids About: Solar energy

This homemade solar oven definitely requires some adult help to set up, but after it's ready you'll have your own mini oven that uses energy from the sun to make s'mores or melt cheese on pizza. While the food is cooking, you can explain to kids how the oven uses the sun's rays to heat the food.

• Aluminum foil
• Knife or box cutter
• Permanent marker
• Plastic cling wrap
• Black construction paper

#16: Animal Blubber Simulation

• Teaches Kids About: Ecology, zoology

If your kids are curious about how animals like polar bears and seals stay warm in polar climates, you can go beyond just explaining it to them; you can actually have them make some of their own blubber and test it out. After you've filled up a large bowl with ice water and let it sit for a few minutes to get really cold, have your kids dip a bare hand in and see how many seconds they can last before their hand gets too cold. Next, coat one of their fingers in shortening and repeat the experiment. Your child will notice that, with the shortening acting like a protective layer of blubber, they don't feel the cold water nearly as much.

• Bowl of ice water

#17: Static Electricity Butterfly

This experiment is a great way for young kids to learn about static electricity, and it's more fun and visual than just having them rub balloons against their heads. First you'll create a butterfly, using thick paper (such as cardstock) for the body and tissue paper for the wings. Then, blow up the balloon, have the kids rub it against their head for a few seconds, then move the balloon to just above the butterfly's wings. The wings will move towards the balloon due to static electricity, and it'll look like the butterfly is flying.

• Tissue paper
• Thick paper
• Glue stick/glue

#18: Edible Double Helix

• Teaches Kids About: Genetics

If your kids are learning about genetics, you can do this edible double helix craft to show them how DNA is formed, what its different parts are, and what it looks like. The licorice will form the sides or backbone of the DNA and each color of marshmallow will represent one of the four chemical bases. Kids will be able to see that only certain chemical bases pair with each other.

• 2 pieces of licorice
• 12 toothpicks
• Small marshmallows in 4 colors (9 of each color)
• 5 paperclips

#19: Leak-Proof Bag

• Teaches Kids About: Molecules, plastics

This is an easy experiment that'll appeal to kids of a variety of ages. Just take a zip-lock bag, fill it about ⅔ of the way with water, and close the top. Next, poke a few sharp objects (like bamboo skewers or sharp pencils) through one end and out the other. At this point you may want to dangle the bag above your child's head, but no need to worry about spills because the bag won't leak? Why not? It's because the plastic used to make zip-lock bags is made of polymers, or long chains of molecules that'll quickly join back together when they're forced apart.

• Zip-lock bags
• Objects with sharp ends (pencils, bamboo skewers, etc.)

#20: How Do Leaves Breathe?

• Teaches Kids About: Plant science

It takes a few hours to see the results of this leaf experiment , but it couldn't be easier to set up, and kids will love to see a leaf actually "breathing." Just get a large-ish leaf, place it in a bowl (glass works best so you can see everything) filled with water, place a small rock on the leaf to weigh it down, and leave it somewhere sunny. Come back in a few hours and you'll see little bubbles in the water created when the leaf releases the oxygen it created during photosynthesis.

• Large bowl (preferably glass)
• Magnifying glass (optional)

#21: Popsicle Stick Catapults

Kids will love shooting pom poms out of these homemade popsicle stick catapults . After assembling the catapults out of popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and plastic spoons, they're ready to launch pom poms or other lightweight objects. To teach kids about simple machines, you can ask them about how they think the catapults work, what they should do to make the pom poms go a farther/shorter distance, and how the catapult could be made more powerful.

• Popsicle sticks
• Rubber bands
• Plastic spoons
• Paint (optional)

#22: Elephant Toothpaste

You won't want to do this experiment near anything that's difficult to clean (outside may be best), but kids will love seeing this " elephant toothpaste " crazily overflowing the bottle and oozing everywhere. Pour the hydrogen peroxide, food coloring, and dishwashing soap into the bottle, and in the cup mix the yeast packet with some warm water for about 30 seconds. Then, add the yeast mixture to the bottle, stand back, and watch the solution become a massive foamy mixture that pours out of the bottle! The "toothpaste" is formed when the yeast removed the oxygen bubbles from the hydrogen peroxide which created foam. This is an exothermic reaction, and it creates heat as well as foam (you can have kids notice that the bottle became warm as the reaction occurred).

• Clean 16-oz soda bottle
• 6% solution of hydrogen peroxide
• 1 packet of dry yeast
• Dishwashing soap

#23: How Do Penguins Stay Dry?

Penguins, and many other birds, have special oil-producing glands that coat their feathers with a protective layer that causes water to slide right off them, keeping them warm and dry. You can demonstrate this to kids with this penguin craft by having them color a picture of a penguin with crayons, then spraying the picture with water. The wax from the crayons will have created a protective layer like the oil actual birds coat themselves with, and the paper won't absorb the water.

• Penguin image (included in link)
• Spray bottle
• Blue food coloring (optional)

#24: Rock Weathering Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Geology

This mechanical weathering experiment teaches kids why and how rocks break down or erode. Take two pieces of clay, form them into balls, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Then, leave one out while placing the other in the freezer overnight. The next day, unwrap and compare them. You can repeat freezing the one piece of clay every night for several days to see how much more cracked and weathered it gets than the piece of clay that wasn't frozen. It may even begin to crumble. This weathering also happens to rocks when they are subjected to extreme temperatures, and it's one of the causes of erosion.

• Plastic wrap

#25: Saltwater Density

• Teaches Kids About: Water density

For this saltwater density experiment , you'll fill four clear glasses with water, then add salt to one glass, sugar to one glass, and baking soda to one glass, leaving one glass with just water. Then, float small plastic pieces or grapes in each of the glasses and observe whether they float or not. Saltwater is denser than freshwater, which means some objects may float in saltwater that would sink in freshwater. You can use this experiment to teach kids about the ocean and other bodies of saltwater, such as the Dead Sea, which is so salty people can easily float on top of it.

• Four clear glasses
• Lightweight plastic objects or small grapes

#26: Starburst Rock Cycle

With just a package of Starbursts and a few other materials, you can create models of each of the three rock types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Sedimentary "rocks" will be created by pressing thin layers of Starbursts together, metamorphic by heating and pressing Starbursts, and igneous by applying high levels of heat to the Starbursts. Kids will learn how different types of rocks are forms and how the three rock types look different from each other.

• Toaster oven

#27: Inertia Wagon Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Inertia

This simple experiment teaches kids about inertia (as well as the importance of seatbelts!). Take a small wagon, fill it with a tall stack of books, then have one of your children pull it around then stop abruptly. They won't be able to suddenly stop the wagon without the stack of books falling. You can have the kids predict which direction they think the books will fall and explain that this happens because of inertia, or Newton's first law.

• Stack of books

#28: Dinosaur Tracks

• Teaches Kids About: Paleontology

How are some dinosaur tracks still visible millions of years later? By mixing together several ingredients, you'll get a claylike mixture you can press your hands/feet or dinosaur models into to make dinosaur track imprints . The mixture will harden and the imprints will remain, showing kids how dinosaur (and early human) tracks can stay in rock for such a long period of time.

• Used coffee grounds
• Wooden spoon
• Rolling pin

#29: Sidewalk Constellations

• Teaches Kids About: Astronomy

If you do this sidewalk constellation craft , you'll be able to see the Big Dipper and Orion's Belt in the daylight. On the sidewalk, have kids draw the lines of constellations (using constellation diagrams for guidance) and place stones where the stars are. You can then look at astronomy charts to see where the constellations they drew will be in the sky.

• Sidewalk chalk
• Small stones
• Diagrams of constellations

#30: Lung Model

By building a lung model , you can teach kids about respiration and how their lungs work. After cutting off the bottom of a plastic bottle, you'll stretch a balloon around the opened end and insert another balloon through the mouth of the bottle. You'll then push a straw through the neck of the bottle and secure it with a rubber band and play dough. By blowing into the straw, the balloons will inflate then deflate, similar to how our lungs work.

• Plastic bottle
• Rubber band

#31: Homemade Dinosaur Bones

By mixing just flour, salt, and water, you'll create a basic salt dough that'll harden when baked. You can use this dough to make homemade dinosaur bones and teach kids about paleontology. You can use books or diagrams to learn how different dinosaur bones were shaped, and you can even bury the bones in a sandpit or something similar and then excavate them the way real paleontologists do.

• Images of dinosaur bones

#32: Clay and Toothpick Molecules

There are many variations on homemade molecule science crafts . This one uses clay and toothpicks, although gumdrops or even small pieces of fruit like grapes can be used in place of clay. Roll the clay into balls and use molecule diagrams to attach the clay to toothpicks in the shape of the molecules. Kids can make numerous types of molecules and learn how atoms bond together to form molecules.

• Clay or gumdrops (in four colors)
• Diagrams of molecules

#33: Articulated Hand Model

By creating an articulated hand model , you can teach kids about bones, joints, and how our hands are able to move in many ways and accomplish so many different tasks. After creating a hand out of thin foam, kids will cut straws to represent the different bones in the hand and glue them to the fingers of the hand models. You'll then thread yarn (which represents tendons) through the straws, stabilize the model with a chopstick or other small stick, and end up with a hand model that moves and bends the way actual human hands do.

• Straws (paper work best)
• Twine or yarn

#34: Solar Energy Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Solar energy, light rays

This solar energy science experiment will teach kids about solar energy and how different colors absorb different amounts of energy. In a sunny spot outside, place six colored pieces of paper next to each other, and place an ice cube in the middle of each paper. Then, observe how quickly each of the ice cubes melt. The ice cube on the black piece of paper will melt fastest since black absorbs the most light (all the light ray colors), while the ice cube on the white paper will melt slowest since white absorbs the least light (it instead reflects light). You can then explain why certain colors look the way they do. (Colors besides black and white absorb all light except for the one ray color they reflect; this is the color they appear to us.)

• 6 squares of differently colored paper/cardstock (must include black paper and white paper)

#35: How to Make Lightning

• Teaches Kids About: Electricity, weather

You don't need a storm to see lightning; you can actually create your own lightning at home . For younger kids this experiment requires adult help and supervision. You'll stick a thumbtack through the bottom of an aluminum tray, then stick the pencil eraser to the pushpin. You'll then rub the piece of wool over the aluminum tray, and then set the tray on the Styrofoam, where it'll create a small spark/tiny bolt of lightning!

• Pencil with eraser
• Aluminum tray or pie tin
• Styrofoam tray

#36: Tie-Dyed Milk

• Teaches Kids About: Surface tension

For this magic milk experiment , partly fill a shallow dish with milk, then add a one drop of each food coloring color to different parts of the milk. The food coloring will mostly stay where you placed it. Next, carefully add one drop of dish soap to the middle of the milk. It'll cause the food coloring to stream through the milk and away from the dish soap. This is because the dish soap breaks up the surface tension of the milk by dissolving the milk's fat molecules.

• Shallow dish
• Milk (high-fat works best)

#37: How Do Stalactites Form?

Have you ever gone into a cave and seen huge stalactites hanging from the top of the cave? Stalactites are formed by dripping water. The water is filled with particles which slowly accumulate and harden over the years, forming stalactites. You can recreate that process with this stalactite experiment . By mixing a baking soda solution, dipping a piece of wool yarn in the jar and running it to another jar, you'll be able to observe baking soda particles forming and hardening along the yarn, similar to how stalactites grow.

• Safety pins
• 2 glass jars

Summary: Cool Science Experiments for Kids

Any one of these simple science experiments for kids can get children learning and excited about science. You can choose a science experiment based on your child's specific interest or what they're currently learning about, or you can do an experiment on an entirely new topic to expand their learning and teach them about a new area of science. From easy science experiments for kids to the more challenging ones, these will all help kids have fun and learn more about science.

What's Next?

Are you also interested in pipe cleaner crafts for kids? We have a guide to some of the best pipe cleaner crafts to try!

Looking for multiple different slime recipes? We tell you how to make slimes without borax and without glue as well as how to craft the ultimate super slime .

Want to learn more about clouds? Learn how to identify every cloud in the sky with our guide to the 10 types of clouds .

Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa) .

Trending Now

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Get Your Free

Find Your Target SAT Score

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing

How to Improve Your Low SAT Score

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading and Writing

Find Your Target ACT Score

Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer

Get a 36 on ACT English

Get a 36 on ACT Math

Get a 36 on ACT Reading

Get a 36 on ACT Science

How to Improve Your Low ACT Score

Get a 24 on ACT English

Get a 24 on ACT Math

Get a 24 on ACT Reading

Get a 24 on ACT Science

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

6 Coolest Space Shuttle Science Experiments

The chief science legacy of NASA's space shuttle program may be the International Space Station, the gigantic orbiting lab that shuttle missions helped build over the past 13 years. But lots of interesting research has also been done aboard the shuttles themselves since they started flying in 1981.

Long before the station was up and running, space shuttle missions broke new ground in many different fields of research, taking advantage of the microgravity environment to perform studies that couldn't be done on terra firma.

As the last-ever shuttle launch nears — NASA's STS-135 mission aboard Atlantis will blast off July 8 — here's an admittedly subjective countdown at six of the coolest experiments ever done aboard NASA's iconic space plane. (The shuttle has delivered many experiments and instruments to Earth orbit, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, but those are generally not considered here.)

1. Microbes get more virulent in microgravity

Experiments aboard the space shuttle have shown that Salmonella bacteria, a common and sometimes deadly source of food poisoning, get more virulent in space. [ 9 Weird Things Flown On NASA's Space Shuttles ]

Researchers first noticed this characteristic in studies performed aboard Atlantis' STS-115 flight in 2006 and the STS-123 mission of Endeavour two years later. And it's not a subtle change; Salmonella becomes three to seven times more virulent in microgravity conditions, researchers have said.

Scientists believe that the bacteria get ramped up because spaceflight tricks them into behaving as if they're inside the human gut. The shuttle missions also identified dozens of genes that seem to be involved in the hyper-virulence, as well as a "master switch" protein that regulates many of these genes.

Get the Space.com Newsletter

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

The biotech firm Astrogenetix worked with NASA to conduct and extend this research, and the company recently developed a Salmonella vaccine based on it. Astrogenetix is also performing space-based studies of other pathogens, such as dangerous methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, with the aim of finding better treatments down the road.

2. Trying out a 13-mile space tether

Two different shuttle missions — Atlantis' STS-46 in 1992 and Columbia's STS-75 in 1996 — took a crack at deploying a satellite, then dragging it through space connected by a 13-mile-long (21-kilometer) conducting tether. [ Vote Now! What's Your Favorite Space Shuttle? ]

The experiment, called the Tethered Satellite System (TSS), was a joint effort between NASA and the Italian space agency. The idea was to show that tethered satellites could generate electric current as they cruised through Earth's magnetic field.

During STS-46, the tether unspooled just 840 feet (256 meters) from Atlantis before the reel jammed. Four years later, 12.2 miles (19.7 km) of cable were released before the 0.1-inch (0.25 centimeter) tether snapped, sending the probe shooting away into a higher orbit.

Though neither attempt was 100 percent successful, the TSS belongs on this list for its scale and ambition alone. And the 1996 experiment did return some interesting results. Before the tether snapped, the TSS had been generating 3,500 volts and up to 0.5 amps of current, according to NASA officials.

3. Space roses smell different

It sounds like some sort of symbolic or ceremonial gesture: The shuttle Discovery carried a single rose to orbit on its STS-95 mission in 1998.

But there was science, and business, behind the move. The company International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) wanted to see how microgravity altered the sweet and familiar scent of a rose — and if a new perfume component might come out of the experiment.

So IFF sent a miniature rose plant up, and shuttle astronauts sampled its volatile oils, which carry the essential odors of the flower . It turned out that the space rose produced fewer volalites than its counterparts did back on Earth. And, more importantly, its overall fragrance was entirely different.

IFF commercialized the space rose odor, which has since been incorporated into "Zen," a perfume put out by the company Shiseido Cosmetics.NASA flew another rose on a space shuttle in 2007, but that flower was destined for the annual New Year's Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., not a perfume.

4. Bigger and better protein crystals

The shuttle Columbia's STS-9 mission, which launched in November 1983, was the first to conduct experiments in a reusable laboratory called Spacelab. [ Most Memorable Space Shuttle Missions ]

Of the dozens of studies performed on that 10-day flight, one stands out nearly three decades later: STS-9 astronauts cultivated the first protein crystals ever grown in space.

Scientists found that crystals grown in space are larger and more neatly ordered — and thus easier to subject to X-ray structural analysis — than those grown here on Earth. Space-grown crystals therefore have great potential to help scientists understand how certain proteins work, perhaps leading to better and more targeted drugs in the future.

5. Stainless steel disk flies in shuttle's wake

Many shuttle experiments over the years have focused on developing or testing out new materials. One such study was the Wake Shield Facility (WSF), a 12-foot-wide (3.7-m), free-flying stainless steel disk.

The WSF was designed to fly behind the space shuttle for several days, then be captured again. As the disk zipped through space, it would create a vacuum in its wake 1,000 to 10,000 times better than anything that can be achieved on Earth.

The WSF would take advantage of this vacuum to grow extremely thin and pure films that could find applications in many different fields, such as the manufacture of semiconductors.

The experiment went up on three shuttle flights: Discovery's STS-60 in 1994, Endeavour's STS-69 in 1995 and Columbia's STS-80 in 1996. Hardware issues kept the WSF from being fully deployed on the first mission, relegating it to a place at the end of Discovery's robotic arm. But it flew successfully in the shuttle's wake on STS-69 and STS-80.

The WSF experiments helped researchers learn how to craft better photocells and thin films of various materials, including ceramics that could be used to make artificial retinas .

6. An unexpected experiment

The space shuttle Columbia's STS-107 mission in 2003 was devoted almost exclusively to science and research. It carried dozens of experiments, including one that investigated the growth and reproductive behavior of the nematode worm C. elegans in microgravity.

Tragically, Columbia and its seven-astronaut crew were lost when the orbiter disintegrated upon re-entry to Earth's atmosphere due to heat shield damage.

The nematodes, housed in specially designed canisters, survived the tragedy and were recovered alive. While the worms' survival is but a tiny and peripheral part of the heartbreaking Columbia story, it taught scientists some lessons about the tenacity of life, and how it might spread from planet to planet.

"It's the first demonstration that animals can survive a re-entry event similar to what would be experienced inside a meteorite," Catharine Conley, then of NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., said in 2005. Conley was principal investigator of the Columbia nematode experiment. "It shows directly that even complex small creatures originating on one planet could survive landing on another without the protection of a spacecraft."

Descendents of the STS-107 nematodes have flown on subsequent shuttle flights, including Endeavour's final STS-134 mission in May 2011.

You can follow SPACE.com senior writer Mike Wall on Twitter: @michaeldwall . Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook .

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with  Space.com  and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, "Out There," was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Michael on Twitter.

International Space Station: Live updates

Next Blue Origin space tourism flight will launch youngest woman above the Kármán line

Marvel and 'Star Wars' take note. 'Star Trek' is now Hollywood's ultimate shared universe

Most Popular

• 2 Origami-inspired 'transformer' robots could help build habitats in space (photo)
• 3 Small black holes could play 'hide-and-seek' with elusive supermassive black hole pairs
• 4 Rocket Lab launches sharp-eyed private radar satellite to orbit
• 5 SpaceX aborts launch of 23 Starlink satellites in final minute (video)

We have emailed you a PDF version of the article you requested.

Can't find the email?

Please check your spam or junk folder

You can also add [email protected] to your safe senders list to ensure you never miss a message from us.

20 Awesome Science Experiments You Can Do Right Now At Home

Complete the form below and we will email you a PDF version

Cancel and go back

IFLScience needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.

For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, check out our Privacy Policy

Complete the form below to listen to the audio version of this article

Advertisement

Subscribe today for our  Weekly Newsletter  in your inbox!

Morenike Adebayo

Guest Author

DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION

We can all agree that science is awesome. And you can bring that awesomeness into your very own home with these 20 safe DIY experiments you can do right now with ordinary household items.

1. Make Objects Seemingly Disappear Refraction is when light changes direction and speed as it passes from one object to another. Only visible objects reflect light. When two materials with similar reflective properties come into contact, light will pass through both materials at the same speed, rendering the other material invisible. Check out this video from BritLab  on how to turn glass invisible using vegetable oil and pyrex glass.

2. Freeze Water Instantly When purified water is cooled to just below freezing point, a quick nudge or an icecube placed in it is all it takes for the water to instantly freeze. You can finally have the power of Frozone from The Incredibles on a very small scale! Check out the video on this "cool" experiment. 

3. Create Oobleck And Make It Dance To The Music Named after a sticky substance in a children’s book by Dr Seuss , Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, which means it can behave as both a solid and a liquid. And when placed on a sound source, the vibrations causes the mixture to gloopily dance. Check out these instructions from Housing A Forest  on how to make this groovy fluid funk out in every way.

4. Create Your Own Hybrid Rocket Engine With a combination of a solid fuel source and a liquid oxidizer, hybrid rocket engines can propel themselves. And on a small scale, you can create your own hybrid rocket engine, using pasta, mouthwash and yeast. Sadly, it won’t propel much, but who said rocket science ain’t easy? Check out this video from NightHawkInLight on how to make this mini engine.

5. Create "Magic Mud" Another non-Newtonian fluid here, this time from the humble potato. "Magic Mud" is actually starch found in potatoes. It’ll remain hard when handled but leave it alone and it turns into a liquid. Make your own “Magic Mud” with this video.

6. Command The Skies And Create A Cloud In A Bottle Not quite a storm in a teacup, but it is a cloud in a bottle. Clouds up in the sky are formed when water vapor cools and condenses into visible water droplets. Create your own cloud in a bottle using a few household items with these wikiHow instructions .

7. Create An Underwater Magical World First synthesized by Adolf van Baeyer in 1871, fluorescein is a non-toxic powder found in highlighter pens, and used by NASA to find shuttles that land in the sea. Create an underwater magical world with this video from NightHawkInLight .

9. Make Your Own Lava Lamp Inside a lava lamp are colored bubbles of wax suspended in a clear or colorless liquid, which changes density when warmed by a heating element at the base, allowing them to rise and fall hypnotically. Create your own lava lamp with these video instructions.

10. Create Magnetic Fluid A ferrofluid is a liquid that contains nanoscale particles of metal, which can become magnetized. And with oil, toner and a magnet , you can create your own ferrofluid and harness the power of magnetism! 

12. Make Waterproof Sand A hydrophobic substance is one that repels water. When sand is combined with a water-resistant chemical, it becomes hydrophobic. So when it comes into contact with water, the sand will remain dry and reusable. Make your own waterproof sand with this video .

13. Make Elephant's Toothpaste Elephant’s toothpaste is a steaming foamy substance created by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, which sort of resembles giant-sized toothpaste. Make your own elephant’s toothpaste with these instructions.

14. Make Crystal Bubbles When the temperature falls below 0 o C (32 o F), it’s possible to freeze bubbles into crystals. No instructions needed here, just some bubble mix and chilly weather.

15. Make Moving Liquid Art Mixing dish soap and milk together causes the surface tension of the milk to break down. Throw in different food colorings and create this trippy chemical reaction.

16. Create Colourful Carnations Flowers absorb water through their stems, and if that water has food coloring in it, the flowers will also absorb that color. Create some wonderfully colored flowers with these wikiHow instructions .

17. "Magically" Turn Water Into Wine Turn water into wine with this  video  by experimenter Dave Hax . Because water has a higher density than wine, they can switch places. Amaze your friends with this fun science trick.

18. Release The Energy In Candy (Without Eating It) Dropping a gummy bear into a test tube with potassium chlorate releases the chemical energy inside in an intense chemical reaction. That’s exactly what's happening when you eat candy, kids.

19. Make Water "Mysteriously" Disappear Sodium polyacrylate is a super-absorbent polymer, capable of absorbing up to 300 times its own weight in water. Found in disposable diapers, you can make water disappear in seconds with this video .

20. Create A Rainbow In A Jar Different liquids have different masses and different densities. For example, oil is less dense than water and will float on top of its surface. By combining liquids of different densities and adding food coloring, you can make an entire rainbow in a jar with this video .

There you have it – 20 experiments for you to explore the incredible world of science!

ARTICLE POSTED IN

experiment,

fluorescein,

rocket engine,

hydrogen peroxide,

sodium acetate,

ferrofluid,

More Space and Physics Stories

link to article

Beautiful, Long-Lasting Sky Trains Left By Meteors Occur More Often Than We Thought

Humanity Could Use "Glitter" To Terraform Mars (And Add A Little Razzle Dazzle)

Astronomers Place 50/50 Odds On Andromeda Colliding With Us

Legends Of The Bondo Apes: Are They Giant Ferocious Lion Killers?

Space Archaeology, Titanium Hearts, And The Russian Sleep Experiment

IFLScience The Big Questions: Can We Make Dogs Live Longer?

Advertisement

Five of the most important International Space Station experiments

From artificial retinas to ageing mice, here are five of the most promising results from research performed on the ISS – and what they might mean for humans on Earth and in space

By Jon Cartwright

6 August 2024

It’s not all eating bits of food floating in mid-air and introducing suction toilets to fascinated Earthlings – crews on the International Space Station (ISS), which will be coming to an end soon , have serious work to do.

Since the station’s inception, astronauts and cosmonauts have performed more than 3000 experiments in the microgravity and heightened radiation of low-Earth orbit. These have ranged from confirming that fertility levels remain unaltered (in mice, not crew members) to testing the prospects of using lunar soil to make concrete to help build future moon bases. Here are four more of the most impressive bits of ISS research.

Artificial retinas

For millions of people with degenerative conditions affecting the retina – the layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye – there is no cure, only treatments that slow progression. However, an implant that mimics the function of the retina might be the solution, and US-based company LambdaVision has had some success making one by depositing layer upon layer of a light-activated protein known as bacteriorhodopsin. On Earth, solutions of it tended to clump together, leading to poor deposition, but much better results came early this decade in the microgravity aboard the ISS . LambdaVision is now trying to scale up space manufacturing of the artificial retinas and claims these are among the first technologies evaluated on the ISS that have the potential for clinical use.

Astronauts could drink their own urine with water-recycling spacesuit

Invisible flames

When you light a match, the wood burns, reacting with oxygen to produce heat and light, as well as some other products such as carbon…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

Existing subscribers

More from New Scientist

Explore the latest news, articles and features

Two NASA astronauts may be stuck on the space station until February

Critics of the International Space Station are missing the point

Inside NASA’s ambitious plan to bring the ISS crashing back to Earth

Subscriber-only

Wafer-thin light sail could help us reach another star sooner

Popular articles.

Trending New Scientist articles

share this!

August 13, 2024

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

trusted source

NASA demonstrates 'ultra-cool' quantum sensor for first time in space

NASA's Cold Atom Lab, a first-of-its-kind facility aboard the International Space Station, has taken another step toward revolutionizing how quantum science can be used in space. Members of the science team measured subtle vibrations of the space station with one of the lab's onboard tools—the first time ultra-cold atoms have been employed to detect changes in the surrounding environment in space.

The study, which appeared in Nature Communications on Aug. 13, also reports the longest demonstration of the wave-like nature of atoms in freefall in space.

The Cold Atom Lab science team made their measurements with a quantum tool called an atom interferometer , which can precisely measure gravity, magnetic fields, and other forces. Scientists and engineers on Earth use this tool to study the fundamental nature of gravity and advance technologies that aid aircraft and ship navigation. (Cell phones, transistors, and GPS are just a few other major technologies based on quantum science but do not involve atom interferometry.)

Physicists have been eager to apply atom interferometry in space because the microgravity there allows longer measurement times and greater instrument sensitivity, but the exquisitely sensitive equipment has been considered too fragile to function for extended periods without hands-on assistance. The Cold Atom Lab, which is operated remotely from Earth, has now shown it's possible.

"Reaching this milestone was incredibly challenging, and our success was not always a given," said Jason Williams, the Cold Atom Lab project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. "It took dedication and a sense of adventure by the team to make this happen."

Power of precision

Space-based sensors that can measure gravity with high precision have a wide range of potential applications. For instance, they could reveal the composition of planets and moons in our solar system, because different materials have different densities that create subtle variations in gravity.

This type of measurement is already being performed by the U.S.-German collaboration GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on), which detects slight changes in gravity to track the movement of water and ice on Earth. An atom interferometer could provide additional precision and stability, revealing more detail about surface mass changes.

Precise measurements of gravity could also offer insights into the nature of dark matter and dark energy , two major cosmological mysteries. Dark matter is an invisible substance five times more common in the universe than the "regular" matter that composes planets, stars, and everything else we can see. Dark energy is the name given to the unknown driver of the universe's accelerating expansion.

"Atom interferometry could also be used to test Einstein's theory of general relativity in new ways," said University of Virginia professor Cass Sackett, a Cold Atom Lab principal investigator and co-author of the new study. "This is the basic theory explaining the large-scale structure of our universe, and we know that there are aspects of the theory that we don't understand correctly. This technology may help us fill in those gaps and give us a more complete picture of the reality we inhabit."

A portable lab

About the size of a minifridge, the Cold Atom Lab launched to the space station in 2018 with the goal of advancing quantum science by putting a long-term facility in the microgravity environment of low Earth orbit. The lab cools atoms to almost absolute zero, or minus 459 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 273 degrees Celsius).

At this temperature, some atoms can form a Bose-Einstein condensate, a state of matter in which all atoms essentially share the same quantum identity. As a result, some of the atoms' typically microscopic quantum properties become macroscopic, making them easier to study.

Quantum properties include sometimes acting like solid particles and sometimes like waves. Scientists don't know how these building blocks of all matter can transition between such different physical behaviors, but they're using quantum technology like what's available on the Cold Atom Lab to seek answers.

In microgravity, Bose-Einstein condensates can reach colder temperatures and exist for longer, giving scientists more opportunities to study them. The atom interferometer is among several tools in the facility enabling precision measurements by harnessing the quantum nature of atoms.

Due to its wave-like behavior, a single atom can simultaneously travel two physically separate paths. If gravity or other forces are acting on those waves, scientists can measure that influence by observing how the waves recombine and interact.

"I expect that space-based atom interferometry will lead to exciting new discoveries and fantastic quantum technologies impacting everyday life, and will transport us into a quantum future," said Nick Bigelow, a professor at University of Rochester in New York and Cold Atom Lab principal investigator for a consortium of U.S. and German scientists who co-authored the study.

Journal information: Nature Communications

Provided by NASA

Explore further

Feedback to editors

Scientists create material that can take the temperature of nanoscale objects

9 minutes ago

Findings challenge current understanding of nitrogenases and highlight their potential for sustainable bioproduction

20 minutes ago

NASA still deciding whether to keep 2 astronauts at space station until next year

34 minutes ago

Statistical analysis can detect when ChatGPT is used to cheat on multiple-choice chemistry exams

46 minutes ago

Physicists throw world's smallest disco party with a levitating ball of fluorescent nanodiamond

First-of-its-kind analysis reveals importance of storms in air–sea carbon exchange in Southern Ocean

Fine fragrances from test tubes: A new method to synthesize ambrox

NASA's Perseverance rover to begin long climb up Martian crater rim

Revealing the mysteries within microbial genomes with a new high-throughput approach

Characterizing the impact of 700 years of Inuvialuit subsistence hunting on beluga whales

Relevant physicsforums posts, bruker topspin import function in pulse program.

Aug 8, 2024

Energy production that converts Hydrogen to Iron?

Aug 6, 2024

Free carrier density and the electron momentum relaxation time

Aug 5, 2024

What materials, if any, are transparent to Long Wave IR?

Aug 3, 2024

Magnetic Resonance physics question: RF pulse role and 'in-phase'

Aug 2, 2024

Matter/Anti-Matter in a Vacuum

More from Other Physics Topics

Related Stories

Scientists set the stage for quantum chemistry in space on NASA's cold atom lab

Nov 15, 2023

NASA's space-based quantum science lab keeps getting better

Aug 7, 2023

A warm space station welcome for cool new hardware

Dec 18, 2019

Experiment captures atoms in free fall to look for gravitational anomalies caused by dark energy

Jun 26, 2024

Image: Prototype atom interferometer

Nov 29, 2017

Ultracold bubbles on space station open new avenues of quantum research

May 18, 2022

Recommended for you

'Mirror' nuclei help connect nuclear theory and neutron stars

21 hours ago

A new approach to fine-tuning quantum materials

Aug 13, 2024

Studying sources of energy loss to make quantum computing gains

Chip that entangles four photons opens up possibility of inviolable quantum encryption

Aug 12, 2024

Align or die: Revealing unknown mechanism essential for bacterial cell division

Let us know if there is a problem with our content.

Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form . For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines ).

Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request

Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.

Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.

E-mail the story

Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form.

Newsletter sign up

Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties.

More information Privacy policy

Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience

We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account.

E-mail newsletter

NASA Demonstrates ‘Ultra-Cool’ Quantum Sensor for First Time in Space

NASA’s Cold Atom Lab, shown where it’s installed aboard the International Space Station, recently demonstrated the use of a tool called an atom interferometer that can precisely measure gravity and other forces — and has many potential applications in space.

Future space missions could use quantum technology to track water on Earth, explore the composition of moons and other planets, or probe mysterious cosmic phenomena.

NASA’s Cold Atom Lab, a first-of-its-kind facility aboard the International Space Station, has taken another step toward revolutionizing how quantum science can be used in space. Members of the science team measured subtle vibrations of the space station with one of the lab’s onboard tools — the first time ultra-cold atoms have been employed to detect changes in the surrounding environment in space.

The study , which appeared in Nature Communications on Aug. 13, also reports the longest demonstration of the wave-like nature of atoms in freefall in space.

The Cold Atom Lab science team made their measurements with a quantum tool called an atom interferometer, which can precisely measure gravity, magnetic fields, and other forces. Scientists and engineers on Earth use this tool to study the fundamental nature of gravity and advance technologies that aid aircraft and ship navigation. (Cell phones, transistors, and GPS are just a few other major technologies based on quantum science but do not involve atom interferometry.)

Physicists have been eager to apply atom interferometry in space because the microgravity there allows longer measurement times and greater instrument sensitivity, but the exquisitely sensitive equipment has been considered too fragile to function for extended periods without hands-on assistance. The Cold Atom Lab, which is operated remotely from Earth, has now shown it’s possible.

“Reaching this milestone was incredibly challenging, and our success was not always a given,” said Jason Williams, the Cold Atom Lab project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “It took dedication and a sense of adventure by the team to make this happen.”

Power of Precision

Space-based sensors that can measure gravity with high precision have a wide range of potential applications. For instance, they could reveal the composition of planets and moons in our solar system, because different materials have different densities that create subtle variations in gravity.

This type of measurement is already being performed by the U.S.-German collaboration GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on), which detects slight changes in gravity to track the movement of water and ice on Earth. An atom interferometer could provide additional precision and stability, revealing more detail about surface mass changes.

Precise measurements of gravity could also offer insights into the nature of dark matter and dark energy, two major cosmological mysteries. Dark matter is an invisible substance five times more common in the universe than the “regular” matter that composes planets, stars, and everything else we can see. Dark energy is the name given to the unknown driver of the universe’s accelerating expansion.

“Atom interferometry could also be used to test Einstein’s theory of general relativity in new ways,” said University of Virginia professor Cass Sackett, a Cold Atom Lab principal investigator and co-author of the new study. “This is the basic theory explaining the large-scale structure of our universe, and we know that there are aspects of the theory that we don’t understand correctly. This technology may help us fill in those gaps and give us a more complete picture of the reality we inhabit.”

A Portable Lab

NASA’s Cold Atom Lab studies the quantum nature of atoms, the building blocks of our universe, in a place that is out of this world – the International Space Station. This animated explainer explores what quantum science is and why NASA wants to do it in space.

About the size of a minifridge, the Cold Atom Lab launched to the space station in 2018 with the goal of advancing quantum science by putting a long-term facility in the microgravity environment of low Earth orbit. The lab cools atoms to almost absolute zero, or minus 459 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 273 degrees Celsius). At this temperature, some atoms can form a Bose-Einstein condensate, a state of matter in which all atoms essentially share the same quantum identity. As a result, some of the atoms’ typically microscopic quantum properties become macroscopic, making them easier to study.

Quantum properties include sometimes acting like solid particles and sometimes like waves. Scientists don’t know how these building blocks of all matter can transition between such different physical behaviors, but they’re using quantum technology like what’s available on the Cold Atom Lab to seek answers.

In microgravity, Bose-Einstein condensates can reach colder temperatures and exist for longer, giving scientists more opportunities to study them. The atom interferometer is among several tools in the facility enabling precision measurements by harnessing the quantum nature of atoms.

We've Got Some Space For You

Due to its wave-like behavior, a single atom can simultaneously travel two physically separate paths. If gravity or other forces are acting on those waves, scientists can measure that influence by observing how the waves recombine and interact.

“I expect that space-based atom interferometry will lead to exciting new discoveries and fantastic quantum technologies impacting everyday life, and will transport us into a quantum future,” said Nick Bigelow, a professor at University of Rochester in New York and Cold Atom Lab principal investigator for a consortium of U.S. and German scientists who co-authored the study.

More About the Mission

A division of Caltech in Pasadena, JPL designed and built Cold Atom Lab, which is sponsored by the Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at the agency’s headquarters in Washington. BPS pioneers scientific discovery and enables exploration by using space environments to conduct investigations that are not possible on Earth. Studying biological and physical phenomena under extreme conditions allows researchers to advance the fundamental scientific knowledge required to go farther and stay longer in space, while also benefitting life on Earth. 

To learn more about Cold Atom Lab, visit:

https://coldatomlab.jpl.nasa.gov/

News Media Contact

Calla Cofield

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

626-808-2469

[email protected]

• Environment /

A controversial experiment to artificially cool Earth was canceled — what we know about why

Harvard’s canceled solar geoengineering project shows what happens when you try to test controversial climate tech without consulting with communities..

By Justine Calma , a senior science reporter covering energy and the environment with more than a decade of experience. She is also the host of Hell or High Water: When Disaster Hits Home , a podcast from Vox Media and Audible Originals.

Share this story

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

After years of legwork, Harvard researchers canceled plans to test a controversial theory for cooling the planet by sending sunlight-reflecting particles up into the atmosphere. Now, members of an independent advisory committee tasked with addressing ethics and safety concerns are sharing what they learned from the ill-fated project.

A policy analysis published in the journal Science on Friday highlights how important it is to talk to people on the ground before launching an experiment, especially one tied to potentially planet-altering consequences. The paper echoes recent calls to get policies in place to protect against any unintended side effects .

Until pretty recently, the thought of reflecting sunlight back into space to combat global warming — a process called solar geoengineering — seemed to be firmly rooted in science fiction. But with the climate crisis worsening, the idea has started to move from the fringes of academic research to garner more serious debate.

“Public engagement is necessary”

Some researchers and their Silicon Valley backers want to put the theory to the test. And time is running out to establish rules for how to craft those experiments responsibly, which could help determine whether solar geoengineering will do more harm than good.

“One of the core messages that comes out of this is that public engagement is necessary even when you don’t think that the impact of the experiment is going to be felt in a real way, in a concrete way, in real time. This issue has such a long tail, and it has such deeper meaning for so many people,” says Sikina Jinnah, lead author of the Science policy analysis and a professor of environmental studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Harvard researchers launched the project called SCoPEx — short for Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment — back in 2017. To better understand any potential risks or benefits associated with solar geoengineering, it planned to conduct the first-ever outdoor experiment using reflective particles. It would have released some of those aerosols into the stratosphere via balloon and then piloted the balloon back through the plume to take measurements. The aim was to observe how the particles interact with each other and other elements of that environment — resulting in data that could be used to make more accurate computer models.

That never happened. There was supposed to be an engineering test flight without any particle release in Sweden in 2021, but it was scrapped after facing strong opposition from local Indigenous leaders. A big point of contention was that the researchers didn’t initially reach out to the Saami Council , which represents Saami Indigenous peoples’ organizations in the region. Members of SCoPEx’s advisory committee didn’t agree on whether to consult with the Saami since the test flight wasn’t going to release anything into the atmosphere, according to the policy analysis. The majority wound up deciding that the test flight could go ahead if there weren’t any significant environmental concerns to flag.

The Saami Council caught wind of the plans anyway and wrote a strongly worded letter to the advisory committee demanding the researchers cancel the flight. They said it was “remarkable” that the test flight would take place without consulting the Saami people or other local stakeholders, given the controversies swirling around solar geoengineering. Local environmental advocates, including Swedish chapters of Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, also signed the letter.

• Can we artificially cool the planet? A major environmental group is spending millions to find out

Solar geoengineering is still considered a “ false solution ” to climate change by many activists. Injecting particles in the atmosphere attempts to recreate the way erupting volcanoes can  temporarily cool  the planet by  releasing sulfur dioxide . But sulfur dioxide might also lead to acid rain, worsen the Antarctic ozone hole, or have other unforeseen consequences. There are also fears that solar geoengineering could detract from efforts to transition to clean energy, or lead to a dangerous swing in global temperatures if it’s ever implemented and then abruptly stopped.

“We note that [solar geoengineering using reflective particles] is a technology that entails risks of catastrophic consequences ... There are therefore no acceptable reasons for allowing the SCoPEx project to be conducted either in Sweden or elsewhere,” the Saami Council letter says.

The advisory committee ultimately recommended canceling the test flight in Sweden after receiving that letter. By 2023, Harvard had told the advisory committee that it had “ suspended ” the project and then canceled it altogether in March of this year. The project “struggled both with intense media attention and with how to address calls from the scientific advisory committee to broadly and formally engage with the public,” Nature reported at the time, citing one of its project leaders.

“I’m grateful for the SCoPEx Advisory Committee’s insights. Their thoughtful analysis is valuable to the scientific community as it considers important questions of governance,” Frank Keutsch, who was the principal investigator for SCoPEx, tells The Verge in an email. He didn’t elaborate more on why the project ended.

It’ll take more than an ad hoc committee to effectively oversee geoengineering research moving forward, according to the newly published policy analysis. “The time is ripe for governments to begin discussing coordination of research governance,” it says.

• Go ahead and alter the atmosphere, no one’s going to stop you — probably
• Geoengineering startup’s claim it got ‘OKs to launch’ from the FAA doesn’t stand up to scrutiny

Those talks have already started at the European Commission and the United Nations Environment Assembly , although they haven’t led to any concrete new policies yet. There has been a  moratorium  on large-scale geoengineering since a United Nations biodiversity conference in 2010, but it excludes small-scale scientific research.

And small fly-by-night initiatives have become a bigger concern lately. Last year, the founders of one geoengineering startup grilled fungicide  in a California parking lot to produce sulfur dioxide gas that they then attempted to launch into the atmosphere via weather balloons . That followed a similar balloon launch in Mexico that prompted the government there to  bar solar geoengineering experiments . The policy analysis calls the startup’s efforts “irresponsible” and “not tied to any legitimate scientific pursuit.”

Since then, there have been calls to either lay down rules for how to regulate future experiments or to stop solar geoengineering altogether. But without broader policies in place, keeping up with new geoengineering efforts gets to be a bit like playing whack-a-mole around the world.

Those policies could also ensure that nearby communities get to have a say in projects that might affect them. And as we’ve learned with SCoPEx, even more studious efforts can skip that step to their own detriment.

Google’s Pixel 9 lineup is a Pro show

We played valve’s secret new shooter, deadlock, every time google dinged apple during its pixel 9 launch event, everything google announced at the pixel 9 launch event, anker’s slim 65w charger can squeeze in between bulkier power adapters.

More from Science

Ford offers free home EV charging for some Texas residents in first-of-its-kind deal

Waste in space: all the news surrounding space junk

Cyberattacks on clean energy are coming — the White House has a plan

Boeing Starliner astronauts might get a ride home from SpaceX — in 2025

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

Harris Chooses Walz

A guide to the career, politics and sudden stardom of gov. tim walz of minnesota, now vice president kamala harris’s running mate..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

Hey, it’s Michael. Before we get started, I want to tell you about another show made by “The New York Times” that pairs perfectly with “The Daily.” It’s called “The Headlines.” It’s a show hosted by my colleague, Tracy Mumford, that quickly catches you up on the day’s top stories and features insights from “The Times” reporters who are covering them, all in about 10 minutes or less.

So if you like “The Daily”— and if you’re listening, I have to assume you do — I hope that means you’re going to “The Headlines” as well. You can now find “The Headlines” wherever you get your podcasts. So find it, subscribe to it, and thank you. And now, here’s today’s “Daily.”

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.”

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Today, the story of how a little known Midwestern governor became Kamala Harris’s choice for a running mate. My colleague Ernesto Londoño walks us through the career, politics, and sudden stardom of Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota.

It’s Wednesday, August 7.

Ernesto, over the past few days, we watched Vice President Harris bring the final three contenders for her running mate to her house in Washington, DC, for a set of in-person interviews. And then we watched as she seemed to narrow her pool of choices down to a final two — the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, and the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz. And now, of course, we know that she has made her choice. What has she told us about her campaign strategy, the way she views this race, in ultimately choosing Tim Walz?

Michael, I think what the choice tells us is that Kamala Harris was drawn to two qualities that Governor Walz brings to the table. And what’s interesting is they may seem to be in tension. For starters, here’s the ultimate everyday man, somebody who grew up in a small town in Middle America, served in the National Guard, was a high school teacher, a football coach, very plain-spoken, goes to campaign events wearing T-shirts and baseball caps, is a gun owner and very proud about it. He sort of embodies the Midwest.

And she clearly thinks that that is going to bring the kind of moderate, white, working class voters that the campaign needs in swing states to come to them, to make this feel like a balanced ticket and something that will give her enough of the crucial votes to defeat Donald Trump in the fall.

On the other hand, as governor, he passed a slew of pretty progressive legislation in the past couple of years, everything from abortion rights to gun control. So these things are likely to appeal to bread and butter Democrats.

But the question is, when voters have examined these two facets of Tim Walz, may it bring them enough enthusiasm from the base and enough undecided voters that the campaign desperately needs, or at some point, do these two aspects of him start canceling each other out?

Right. In short, you’re saying Harris is betting on a dual appeal from Walz to two essential constituencies, but the risk is that the appeal to one of them is just much, much greater than to the other.

Right. You could definitely see a scenario where voters, once they’ve examined Tim Walz’s story and legacy, may conclude that both of these candidates are quite liberal.

OK, so tell us the story of Tim Walz, a story that I think a lot of us don’t know because we really don’t know Walz all that well, and how he has come to embody these two qualities and that tension that you just described.

Michael, the origin story of Tim Walz’s political career is quite fascinating.

He and his wife were teachers in a small city south of Minneapolis. And in 2004, when George W. Bush was running for re-election, Walz took a group of his students to a political rally in his hometown. They wanted to just see the president make his case. And a strange scuffle happened when they were trying to get in.

Well, one of the kids had a John Kerry sticker on his wallet. And this is where the individual says, well, you’re not going to be allowed to enter. You’ve been deemed a threat.

Apparently, one of the students had a sticker for Bush’s rival, John Kerry, on his wallet. And security officials at the rally didn’t want to let them in.

And I said, oh, it’s OK. They’re with me. And who are you? And I said, I’m Tim Walz. I’m their teacher here, and showed them my ID. And they said, well, you two have been deemed a threat to the president. And I said, well, that’s not true. And it kind of escalated.

And this really ticked off Tim Walz. He was really upset. There was a fight and a confrontation at the rally.

At this point in time, I’m kind of nervous. I’m getting arrested. So I’m like saying, well, I’m Teacher of the Year in Mankato. And they didn’t care about that. And it was kind of a sad epiphany moment, how it felt for people to be looked right through by people. These people didn’t see me. And this is happening.

And ultimately, he sort of walks away from this moment feeling really sick of the Bush administration, the politics of the day. And he turns around and volunteers for the Kerry campaign.

And then the more interested he becomes in politics in this era, he starts looking around his congressional district, and there’s a Republican who’s held the seat for many, many years. This was a largely rural district in southern Minnesota. And there’s no reason to believe that a newcomer to politics, somebody without a donor base, could make a run for this seat and win.

But Walz signs up for this weekend boot camp, where expert campaigners train newcomers who want to run for office. And he gets really enthused by the idea that he can pull it off. So he starts raising money with the support of an army of students who become so thrilled and energized by the prospect that their nerdy and kind geography teacher is making this uphill bid for a congressional race.

So his campaign staff is basically his former students.

That’s right. And he proves to be a formidable candidate. He draws a lot of attention to his experience in the classroom and as a coach.

When I coached football, these stands held about 3,000 people. That’s a lot. It’s also the number of American soldiers who have died fighting in Iraq.

He’s a very strong advocate for pulling out of the war in Iraq.

Serving right now are kids that I taught, coached, and trained to be soldiers. They deserve a plan for Iraq to govern itself, so they can come home.

And one thing that happens in the campaign that is really surprising to people is he comes out as being in favor of same-sex marriage. Now, it’s useful to remember that this is 2006, when the vast majority of Democrats, Democrats running for most elected office, were not ready to come out in favor of same-sex marriage.

And here’s a guy who’s new to politics, who’s trying to unseat a Republican who’s held on to his seat for more than 12 years, taking what appeared to be a reckless position on something. And when he was asked about it at the time, Tim Walz told a supporter, this just happens to be what I believe in. And I’d rather lose a race that I’ve ran being true and consistent to my values than try to run as somebody I’m not.

And of course, he wins.

Yes. To everybody’s surprise, he pulled it off.

So from the get-go, he shows a kind of maverick, “politics be damned” quality, taking stands that he knows may be unpopular among the voters he’s trying to win over. But he’s got some innate political gifts that are all making it work.

Yeah, I think that first campaign showed us that Tim Walz had real political chops. He was a very effective campaigner. And people really liked him. When he was knocking on doors, when he was introducing himself to voters, they saw him as somebody who was very genuine and who was admirable.

So once he gets elected in this conservative leaning district in Minnesota, what does he actually do in Congress?

In Congress, he develops a reputation for being somebody who can work across the aisle. And this is a period where Democrats and Republicans were deeply polarized over the Iraq War. He spends a lot of his time lobbying to expand benefits for veterans, so it’s easier for them to go to college after their service, and also becomes a leading voice in the quest to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the policy that prohibited openly gay servicemen from serving in uniform.

And he remained really popular. He easily won re-election five times. The last time he runs for his seat happens to be 2016, when President Trump wins his district by about 15 points.

And still, voters kept Tim Walz in office.

I think it’s important to note what you just said. Walz is distinguishing himself as a Democrat who can take some pretty progressive positions, as he did in that first campaign on gay rights, as he did with Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and keep winning in very Trump-friendly districts of his state.

That’s right. And as he’s serving his sixth term in office, he sets his sights on the governor’s mansion and decides to run for office in 2018. He wins that race easily. And early on, during his time as governor, the eyes of the world are on Minnesota after a police officer kills George Floyd. And what we see is massive looting and protests in Minneapolis.

Right, and remind us how Governor Walz handles that violence, those protests.

Yeah, I think that’s a crucial chapter in Tim Walz’s political career and one that will come under scrutiny in the days ahead.

After George Floyd was killed on a Monday —

People are upset, and they’re tired. And being Black in Minnesota already has a stigma and a mark on your back.

— protests took root in Minneapolis.

Y’all want to sit out here and shoot off your rubber bullets and tear gas.

And they got progressively larger and more violent.

There comes a point where the mayor and the police chief in Minneapolis plead for help. They ask the governor to send in the National Guard. And crucially, that request was not immediately heeded.

This is the third precinct here. There are fires burning to the left of it at the —

And at the height of the crisis, a police precinct building was abandoned.

There’s someone climbing up the wall right now, kicking the window in, trying to climb up the wall.

Because city officials grew concerned that protesters were about to overrun it and may attack the cops inside their own turf.

[EXPLOSIONS]

And the building is set on fire.

Right, a very memorable image. I can recall it happening in real-time.

Yeah, and in the days that followed, I think there were a lot of questions of why the governor didn’t send in troops earlier and whether a more muscular, decisive response could have averted some of the destruction that spread through the city.

And how does Walz end up explaining his decision not to send in the National Guard more quickly?

The governor and his administration have said that they were really, really dealing with an unprecedented challenge. And I think there was a concern that sending in troops into this really, really tense situation could have done more to escalate rather than pacify things on the street.

But in the weeks and months that followed, there were a lot of questions about Governor Walz’s leadership. And there were critics who said, during what may have been the most challenging week of his life, we saw a governor who was indecisive and who waited too long to send in resources that ultimately allowed the city to get to a semblance of order.

Right, and it feels like this is a moment that will almost assuredly be used against him by Donald Trump and JD Vance, the Republican ticket, which has made law and order so central to their message in this campaign.

Yeah, absolutely. And here in Minnesota, that was certainly a liability for him when he ran for re-election in 2022. But voters kept him in office, and he won that race handily. And not only did he win, but Democrats managed to flip the Senate and have full control of the legislature on his watch.

And that sets in motion one of the most productive legislative sessions in Minnesota history, where Tim Walz and his allies in the House and the Senate managed to pass a trove of really progressive legislation, oftentimes on a party vote.

Tell us about some of that legislation.

Well, Minnesota becomes the first state in the wake of the Supreme Court ending the constitutional right to abortion to actually codify this right under state statute. And they did a lot more stuff. They had a huge budget surplus, and they used that, for instance, to fund meals for all school children.

They managed to pass a couple of gun control laws that were very contentious. They gave the right to undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses. They legalized recreational marijuana. And finally, the governor takes a pretty bold stance on this issue of gender affirming care for transgender kids and teenagers, and says that Minnesota will be a safe haven for people who want that health care.

So, Ernesto, so how should we think about that blitz of legislation and the largely progressive tone of it, given the way that Walz had campaigned and succeeded up to that moment as somebody with such broad appeal across the political spectrum?

When the governor was asked whether this had been too much too quickly in terms of progressive legislation, his answer was that these were broadly popular policies, that these are issues Democrats had campaigned on. And here, Democrats had a window of opportunity where they were in control of the governor’s mansion and control of the House, the Senate, and that when you have political capital, you spend it.

But when you start listening to Republicans in Minnesota, they say, here’s a guy who campaigned on this mantra of “One Minnesota.” That was his campaign slogan. And he sort of came into office with this promise that he would govern in a bipartisan way, reach across the aisle.

But when they had all the votes they needed to pass their policies, Republicans felt that Walz was not bothering to bring them into the fold and to pass legislation that was going to be palatable to conservatives in the state. So I think people who once regarded him as a moderate now start seeing him as somebody who, when he had the power, acted in ways that were really progressive and liberal.

So at the height of his power, Governor Walz emerges as somebody who, when given a shot at getting done what he really wants to get done with a Democratic legislature, is a pretty progressive leader, even at the risk of being somewhat at odds with his earlier image as more moderate, because in his mind, enough people in the state are behind these policies.

Yeah, and I think he assumed that he had banked enough goodwill and that people across the state liked him enough to tolerate policies they may have disagreed with. And I think it’s safe to say, among the people who cover him here regularly, there was never any real hint that Tim Walz was eyeing a run for higher office. He’s not somebody who has written the kind of political memoir that oftentimes serves as a case of what you would bring to a national ticket or to the White House. And he seems pretty happy with a state job.

So it was a huge surprise when Tim Walz starts going viral through a string of cable news appearances right after President Biden drops out of the race, and the Democrats are scrambling to put Harris at the top of the ticket. And what becomes clear is that Walz is very forcefully auditioning for the role of vice president, and Vice President. Harris starts taking him very seriously.

We’ll be right back.

So, Ernesto, tell us about this cable news audition that Governor Walz undertakes over the past few weeks and how, ultimately, it seemed to help him land this job of being Harris’s running mate.

I think Walz does something really interesting, and that is that he says that Democrats shouldn’t be talking about Trump and Vance as existential threats. He kind of makes the case that Democrats have been in this state of fear and paralysis for too long, and that it’s not serving them well. So the word he latches onto is “weird.”

Well, it’s true. These guys are just weird.

It is. It is.

And they’re running for he-man women hater’s club or something. That’s what they go at. That’s not what people are interested in.

And I think one other thing we see in Walz is somebody who’s putting himself out there as a foil to JD Vance.

That angst that JD Vance talks about in “Hillbilly Elegy,” none of my hillbilly cousins went to Yale, and none of them went on to be venture capitalists or whatever. It’s not —

I think the case he’s making is that Tim Walz is a more authentic embodiment of small town values.

What I know is, is that people like JD Vance know nothing about small town America. My town had 400 people in it, 24 kids in my graduating class. 12 were cousins. And he gets it all wrong. It’s not about hate.

And behind the scenes, people from Tim Walz’s days on Capitol Hill start calling everybody they know in the Harris campaign and the Harris orbit and saying, here’s a guy who has executive experience as governor, but also somebody who has a really impressive record from his time on Capitol Hill and somebody who could be an asset in helping a Harris administration pass tough legislation. So you should take a hard look at this guy.

Which is, of course, exactly what Harris ends up doing. And I want to talk for a moment about how Harris announces Walz as her running mate on Tuesday morning. She did it in an Instagram message. And it felt like the way she did it very much embraced this idea that you raised earlier, Ernesto, that Walz contains these two appeals, one to the Democratic base, one to the white working class.

Harris specifically cites the work that Walz did with Republicans on infrastructure and then cites his work on gun control. She mentions that he was a football coach and the founder of the high school Gay Straight Alliance. She’s straddling these two versions of Walz.

But I want to linger on the idea for a moment of Walz’s vulnerabilities, because once he becomes Harris’s running mate, Harris and Walz are going to lose a fair amount of control over how they present him to the country, because he’s going to become the subject of very fierce attacks from the Republicans in this race. So talk about that for just a moment.

Yeah, I mean, it’s important to keep in mind that Governor Walz has never endured the scrutiny of a presidential race. So the questions he’s going to be asked and the way his record is going to be looked at is going to be different and sharper. I think the Harris campaign is billing him as, first and foremost, a fighter for the middle class. And I think that certainly will have some appeal.

But I think in coming days, there’s going to be a lot of attention drawn to parts of his record that may be unpopular with many voters. For instance, giving undocumented immigrants driver’s licenses, which Governor Walz championed. It’s likely to provide fodder for an attack ad.

The very dramatic footage of Minneapolis burning in 2020 is also something that I think people will be drawn to. And there’s going to be interest in reexamining what the governor did and what he could have done differently to avert the chaos.

And on Tuesday, we saw that the Trump campaign wasted no time in trying to define Tim Walz as soft on crime, permissive on immigration policy. And they also made clear they wanted to relitigate the era of George Floyd’s killing. And specifically, they want to try to tie him to the effort at the time to defund the police, which is a movement that Walz personally never endorsed.

So the Republican attack here will be pretty simple. Walz is liberal. Harris is liberal. So, in their efforts to speak to especially white working class and rural voters in swing states, the Trump campaign is going to say this is not the ticket for that group of voters. This is the ticket of burning police precincts and gun control. And of course, that may not be fair, but that’s very likely going to be the message over the next couple of months.

Right. I think there’s going to be effort to portray him as a radical liberal who has used his small town roots to put on this sort of veneer of being a moderate and a really sort of understanding and being part of the segments of the electorate that I think are critical in this election.

I want to speak for just a moment about the person Harris did not pick when she chose Walz because many Democrats had felt that Walz was a potentially too liberal seeming running mate for a candidate, Kamala Harris, who herself comes from a blue state and is caricatured by the Republicans as liberal herself.

And the person she didn’t choose was Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, who was seen as having a huge appeal in that particular key swing state, but also presented risks of his own of alienating parts of the Democratic base with his well-documented support for Israel and his criticism of campus protesters. How should we think about the fact that, ultimately, Harris chose Walz over Shapiro?

Yeah, I think in the final stretch of this campaign to be the vice presidential pick, we started seeing a lot of acrimony in pockets of the Democratic base, drawing attention to the fact that Governor Shapiro could be divisive on Gaza, which has really sort of split the party in recent months.

So I think at the end of the day, they made a calculation that Tim Walz would be more of a unifying figure and would be somebody who would inspire and energize enough pockets of the electorate that they need, particularly in the Midwest, to make him the stronger and more exciting pick and somebody who wouldn’t force them to go back to defending and relitigating the Biden administration’s record on Israel and on the war in Gaza.

Right, and then, on Tuesday night, we got our first glimpse of Harris and Walz together on stage for the first time at a campaign rally. I’m curious, what struck you about their debut together.

Good evening, Philadelphia.

I think everybody was watching the opening scene of this rally to see what the chemistry between these two people was going to be like. And they both seemed giddy. They were literally, at times, bouncing with enthusiasm.

Since the day that I announced my candidacy, I set out to find a partner who can help build this brighter future.

So Pennsylvania, I’m here today because I found such a leader.

Governor Tim Walz of the great state of Minnesota.

They soon got down to business. And that business was how to define Tim Waltz for voters who don’t know him well.

To those who know him best, Tim is more than a governor.

And right off the bat, we saw that Kamala Harris really highlighted a lot of pieces of his pre-political career.

To his former high school football players, he was Coach.

She repeatedly called him Coach Walz, Mr. Walz, evoking his time in the classroom, and even used his military title from his days in the Army.

To his fellow veterans, he is Sergeant Major Walz.

And then when it came time for Tim Walz to introduce himself on this massive stage —

Welcome the next vice president of the United States, Tim Walz.

— he drew a lot of attention to his small town roots.

I was born in West Point, Nebraska. I lived in Butte, a small town of 400.

He said something that he said repeatedly recently in campaign appearances, which is —

In Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and their personal choices that they make. Even if we wouldn’t make the same choice for ourselves, there’s a golden rule — mind your own damn business.

The golden rule of small towns is you mind your own damn business, which is something he said in the context of his argument that Republicans have been limiting, rather than expanding, people’s rights. But he also drew attention to the fact that he’s a gun owner.

By the way, as you heard, I was one of the best shots in Congress. But in Minnesota, we believe in the Second Amendment, but we also believe in common sense gun violence laws.

And then when it came time to draw a sharp contrast with their opponents, Tim Walz said, these guys are phonies.

Donald Trump is not fighting for you or your family. He never sat at that kitchen table like the one I grew up at, wondering how we were going to pay the bills. He sat at his country club in Mar-a-Lago, wondering how he can cut taxes for his rich friends.

He said it’s actually people like me and Kamala Harris who come from humble origins and showed what is possible in America when you hail from a working class background, and you seize opportunities that were available to you.

Thank you, Philadelphia. Thank you, Vice President. God bless America.

So when it comes to this question of Walz’s dual identities and dual appeals, what did we learn on day one of this new Democratic ticket, do you think?

I think the campaign is trying to convey that these two facets of Tim Walz’s life are not mutually exclusive, that they don’t need to be in tension. They don’t cancel each other out. They’re both part of Tim Walz’s story. And I think that’s how they’re going to present him from now until Election Day.

Ernesto, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

It’s my pleasure, Michael.

Here’s what else you need to know today. On Tuesday, Hamas said that Yahya Sinwar, one of the masterminds behind the deadly October 7 attacks on Israel, had consolidated his power over the entire organization. Until now, Sinwar had held the title of Hamas’s leader in Gaza. But with the assassination of Hamas’s top political leader by Israel last week, Hamas said that Sinwar would take on that title as well. Sinwar remains a major target of Israel and is believed to have been hiding in tunnels underneath Gaza since October 7.

And the US Department of Justice has charged a Pakistani man with ties to Iran with trying to hire a hitman to assassinate political figures in the United States. The man recently traveled to the US and was arrested in New York last month. American authorities believe that his potential targets likely included former President Trump.

Today’s episode was produced by Alex Stern, Eric Krupke, and Olivia Natt. It was edited by Lisa Chow and Patricia Willens, contains original music by Pat McCusker and Marion Lozano, and was engineered by Alyssa Moxley. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Nick Pittman and Minnesota Public Radio.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Ernesto Londoño

Produced by Alex Stern Eric Krupke and Olivia Natt

Edited by Lisa Chow and Patricia Willens

Original music by Marion Lozano and Pat McCusker

Engineered by Alyssa Moxley

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

Earlier this summer, few Democrats could have identified Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota.

But, in a matter of weeks, Mr. Walz has garnered an enthusiastic following in his party, particularly among the liberals who cheer on his progressive policies. On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris named him as her running mate. Ernesto Londoño, who reports for The Times from Minnesota, walks us through Mr. Walz’s career, politics and sudden stardom.

On today’s episode

Ernesto Londoño , a reporter for The Times based in Minnesota, covering news in the Midwest.

Background reading

Who is Tim Walz , Kamala Harris’s running mate?

Mr. Walz has faced criticism for his response to the George Floyd protests.

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Michael Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson, Nina Lassam and Nick Pitman.

An earlier version of this episode misstated the subject that Walz’s wife taught. She taught English, not Social Studies.

How we handle corrections

Ernesto Londoño is a Times reporter based in Minnesota, covering news in the Midwest and drug use and counternarcotics policy. More about Ernesto Londoño

Advertisement