| Doing science fair projects should be fun for the | | | | few weeks |
| kids. Here is one of our easy science fair projects | | | | 8. Have a look at both and you will notice that the |
| kids can do that is fun. It needs very little | | | | leaves in the wet soil will have begun to rot while |
| supplies, it also needs very little work, but it will | | | | the leaves in the dry soil has dried and shriveled. |
| need a little time. It is very easy though and if | | | | In the next experiment that is the second of our |
| you have the time the kids will get a trill out of it. | | | | easy science fair projects for kids to do we are |
| In this experiment kids are going to look at how | | | | going to look at the decomposers. |
| organic matter decomposes. Your kid will see that | | | | What you will need: |
| soil teems with life such as worms, slugs, | | | | * Once again your plastic gloves |
| millipedes and beetles that feed on the decaying | | | | * A plastic funnel |
| matter. The decomposers are microscopic | | | | * A large clear jar with a neck into which the |
| bacteria, fungi, woodlice, mites and small insects. | | | | funnel will fit |
| This decomposing is the process where all organic | | | | * Some rotting leaves from a compost heap |
| material is turned into rich fertilizer for the | | | | * Black paper |
| growing plants in the soil. | | | | * Sticky tape |
| This project actually consists of two easy science | | | | * A desk lamp |
| fair projects for the kids to do. The first your kid | | | | * A magnifying glass |
| is going to look at the conditions needed for the | | | | * A field guide |
| decomposing process and in the second your kid | | | | * A notebook |
| is going to look at the decomposers. | | | | * A pen |
| Remember to make meticulous notes from your | | | | * A camera |
| hypothesis to your conclusion and for your display | | | | This is what you have to do: |
| purposes it is a good idea to take photos of each | | | | 1. The plan is to see the insects on the rotting |
| step as you go. | | | | leaves |
| Having a look at the optimal conditions for the | | | | 2. You are going to separate them by using a |
| decomposing process: | | | | lamp, a funnel and a large jar |
| What you need: | | | | 3. Place the funnel in the jar |
| * A trowel | | | | 4. Wearing your gloves loosely fill the funnel with |
| * Good soil | | | | your rotting leaves |
| * Dead leaves | | | | 5. To keep out the light, you have to tape the |
| * Water and a watering can | | | | black paper around the sides of the jar so it is |
| * Two clean plastic containers, one with a tight lid | | | | dark inside the jar |
| * Tags | | | | 6. Now you place the lamp in such a position that |
| * Pen | | | | it shines onto the leaves in the funnel |
| * Note book | | | | 7. What you want to happen is for the insects on |
| * Camera | | | | the leaves to move away from the heat and light |
| * Plastic gloves | | | | from the lamp |
| This is what you have to do: | | | | 8. While doing so they will fall down the funnel and |
| Wear your gloves for both of these experiments | | | | into the jar. |
| 1. Remember your notes and photos | | | | 9. After an hour, take a way the lamp and |
| 2. Using your trowel fill the two plastic containers | | | | remove the black paper from the jar |
| three quarters full with dry soil | | | | 10. There will be several insects in the jar |
| 3. Place a layer of dead leaves on top of the soil | | | | 11. Identify them by looking at them with the |
| in both containers | | | | magnifying glass and the field guide |
| 4. Mark the container with the lid "A" and the | | | | 12. When you are finished, return them to where |
| other "B" | | | | you found them and be careful not to kill them. |
| 5. Now you water the soil and the leaves in your | | | | These creatures are very important in the eco |
| container marked "A" thoroughly and press the lid | | | | system of the earth! |
| on | | | | As you can see, kids will be able to the most of |
| 6. Keep the soil and leaves in the container | | | | the work in these two easy science fair projects |
| marked "B" dry, do not add any water to it | | | | for kids to do. The two combines should give you |
| 7. Place both containers in a dry place and wait a | | | | enough material for a good display. |