• It's never too soon to introduce children to the world of science. Kindergarten is the perfect opportunity for children to dip their toes into the ocean of scientific knowledge. Every child is curious about the world around him. Projects that are fun and interesting, not complicated or scary, can plant the seed that learning about science is enjoyable and exciting. They answer so many questions about how the world works for a young, curious mind.
  
  

Bubbles

• This project is fun to do as a class. Children are encouraged to work together as a team and to discuss ideas, concepts and conclusions. You will need the following supplies: colored pencils or crayons, paper, cardboard for display, pie plate, pipe cleaners and bubble solution. Don't forget a camera to take pictures as you go.
  
  Ask the children some thought-provoking questions about bubbles. Some examples might be, what colors are they? What shapes are they? Can you hold one in your hand? Allow them to discuss their answers as a group. Write their answers on a piece of paper. Then ask them what shape bubbles they can make. Make a chart by drawing a picture of each shape in a column on the left side of a piece of paper, label it "Blower Shape." Draw a line down the center of the paper, label the right side "Bubble Shape."
  
  Bend pipe cleaners into the shapes on your chart, making sure each has a handle. Pour the bubble solution into the pie plate and let the experiment begin. Let the children take turns blowing bubbles with the different shaped pipe cleaners. Draw the conclusion on the chart. Discuss the answers to the questions that were asked before the experiment and what happened. Design the display to show the experiment from start to finish and you're ready for the fair.
  
  

The Color Black

• This project asks the question, "What makes the color black?" This can be done individually by each classmate, and the report and display can be done as a class showing their collective findings. You will need markers, coffee filters, water, eye dropper, paper towels, pencil and paper, cardboard for display and a camera to document the experiment.
  
  Begin by discussing colors. Colors are all around us, so ask the children what they think makes up different colors. Demonstrate by using markers to mix colors such as red and blue, yellow and blue, and so on. Next, ask them what they think makes black. Have each child draw a large circle with a black marker on a coffee filter.
  
  Ask the children what they think will happen when a few drops of water are applied to the circle of black ink. Write their answers on a piece of paper. Place paper towels under the coffee filter to protect the work area. Using the eye dropper, drip two or three drops of water onto the black spot. The ink will bleed. Repeat two or three times to check that results are consistent. Record the results and write a report about what happened. Make a display including pictures of the experiment throughout its progress.
  
  

Friction

• This one is a great anytime classroom project, whether for the school science fair or just a fun daily class activity, as children enjoy pondering the mysteries of friction. Materials for this project are six wooden blocks that are identical in size and shape, four pieces of different materials cut to fit on one side of the blocks (e.g., silk, sand paper, rubber, plastic), mat board, two or three feet in length to make a ramp, stacking blocks to support the ramp.
  
  Prepare blocks by gluing the chosen materials to one side, wax and polish one block, and keep one block with nothing on it. Have the children take turns choosing blocks to slide down the ramp. Record their observations of why some blocks slide fast or slow. Try adjusting the slope of the ramp for further observations. Take pictures and prepare a display showing their observations for a science fair project.