4 Fun Outdoor Science Projects to Fuel Learning

Outdoor science projects are an exciting way to spark your student’s curiosity and encourage a love of learning. These activities give students a hands-on learning experience that simply can’t be matched.

Studies show that learning is enhanced when the senses are stimulated, and this is particularly helpful for tactile learners. Being outdoors offers many opportunities for exploration and growth.

These outdoor science projects encourage problem-solving, collaboration with others and creative thinking.

Build a Bee Hotel

By making a bee hotel students can help sustain bee populations and learn about the environment. They will discover the important role bees play in the ecosystem and the reasons they are endangered.

Over 99% of the Australian native bee population are known as ‘solitary bees’ meaning they don’t live in hives. Instead, they live in nests, holes in the ground, or 30% live in pre-existing timber holes. The latter are the ones that use bee hotels.

A bee hotel can be very simple, or kids can use their imagination to create something magical. Bee hotels are set up in gardens to mimic the natural habitat, allowing kids to observe the lifecycle of bees and how they help pollinate flowers.

Plant a Garden

Planting their own garden is an excellent, and relatively simple science project for kids that provides many wonderful learning opportunities. Through nurturing and observing plants grow, children learn about their lifecycle and basic needs, such as sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil.

Gardening encourages kids to ask questions and make observations. They can investigate topics like photosynthesis, pollination and the role of insects in the garden ecosystem. By experimenting with different growing conditions or plant varieties, students learn about variables and how they affect plant growth.

In addition, taking care of their own garden helps kids develop a sense of responsibility. By learning about living things and watching plants grow, they will understand more clearly the impact of human activities on the natural world. This may inspire them to begin composting and recycling.

Make a Plant Press

A plant press is another simple yet highly educational science project that kids will love. All you need is some carboard, a newspaper, a few heavy books and blotting paper.

By collecting plant specimens and pressing them, students can observe the intricate details of leaves, flowers and stems up close. They will learn about the different parts of a plant and the varieties while developing an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of nature.

Pressed plants can be used in a variety of craft projects, encouraging creativity. To assemble the press, kids have to collect materials and follow instructions, which enhances problem-solving skills. Waiting for the plants to flatten and dry teaches patience and perseverance.

Create a Sundial

Making a sundial is a fantastic science project for kids. This fun activity teaches them about the Earth’s rotation and how the position of the sun changes throughout the day. By observing the shadow cast by the sundial’s pointer, children can learn to tell the time based on the sun’s position.

Creating a sundial also enhances kids’ understanding about angles and geometry. For the sundial to work, they need to position its pointer correctly to ensure accurate timekeeping, which encourages spatial and mathematical thinking.

In addition to helping kids understand the concept of timekeeping and how it has evolved over centuries, a sundial helps them appreciate the important role the sun plays in sustaining life on Earth.

The Tutor Doctor Difference

Children have a natural affinity for science, but sadly many struggle with this subject at school. At Tutor Doctor, we recognise how important engagement and inspiration are to learning. We tailor our lessons to meet each student’s specific needs and interests and match them with a tutor most suitable for them.

Our tutors are fully qualified in all subjects, and we can help spark your student’s curiosity and love of learning again!