Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

The Human Body: A Smart Art Science Project

This Smart Art science project has evolved over the years, often with input from my students. We've had fun thinking of arts and crafts supplies we could use to represent different parts of the human body. I think we've been pretty clever, using straws for windpipes, balloons for stomachs, and sponges for lungs. The project requires some prep and does take a little time to build, but it's easy to … [Read more...]

Famous Inventions Kids Love – Bubble Gum

Thank goodness for inventors and all their famous inventions. There are the basics like cars, light bulbs, and (one of my personal favorites) hot water heaters. Then there are some less obvious ones like thumbtacks and zippers. There are even a few I resisted at first, like backup cameras in cars. I mean who needs those? (Apparently, me.) If you can believe it, I didn't even want an iPhone when … [Read more...]

Sound Experiments

This science unit is so fun. It's loaded with my favorite sound experiments, like this one. I first saw this idea in a library book and, to be honest, I didn't expect it to be that big of a deal (or even work, if I'm still being honest). But to my surprise, it actually delivered. I think I suffer from Pinterest-Fail PTSD. Singing Spoons is a fun way to show kids how volume and pitch change … [Read more...]

Light Experiments

Nothing in the universe travels faster than light. (Rumors born in faculty meetings might be a close second, but light wins.) It's easy to get kids engaged in the study of light. There are loads of light experiments that spark anticipation and wonder ... some even feel like magic to young scientists. Like, 👆Why does that perfectly good straw look broken?  And, How can we pop a balloon without … [Read more...]

Pumpkin Math and Science Activities for Kids

October is the perfect month for pumpkin math and science! And How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara is the best book for setting that stage. You'd think it's a book about math (and mostly, it is). But it's also about inquiry, teamwork, and learning that the size of something small doesn't always reflect the enormity of what's inside. Yep ... pumpkins AND people.🧡 It tells the … [Read more...]