Myschool54a schoolchild's home lab

An independent reference of home experiments for schoolchildren. It is not a school or educational institution and is not connected with the former website on this domain; every experiment is done only together with an adult.

Glossary

Glossary

Descriptions of experiments contain words that sound rather grown-up: hypothesis, control, phototropism. In fact, each one stands for a simple idea. Here you'll find short definitions so you can quickly look something up while working on your diary.

A scientific word is useful when you can explain it to a younger brother or sister without a textbook.

— Editor's note

How this section works: the terms are split into three groups — the researcher's method, substances and changes, and light, water and motion. The definitions are given in simple words and do not replace textbook definitions.

The researcher's method

Hypothesis
A guess about what will happen in an experiment and why. It is written down before the test begins.
Experiment
An action that helps you test a hypothesis: you set up the conditions and see what happens.
Observation
Carefully watching something happen without interfering, for example how a shoot grows.
Control
An object or plant left in normal conditions so that you have something to compare the result of the experiment with.
Experimental condition
Anything that can affect the result: light, the amount of water, the place, the time. Usually only one condition is changed.
Conclusion
A short answer to the experiment's question, based on what you saw and recorded.

Substances and changes

Baking soda
A kitchen powder used in baking. When mixed with vinegar, it releases carbon dioxide.
Table vinegar
A sour liquid used in cooking. In experiments it is poured by an adult; concentrated vinegar essence is never used.
Carbon dioxide
A colourless gas whose bubbles appear when baking soda and vinegar are mixed.
Starch
A substance found in large amounts in potatoes and flour. Iodine turns it dark blue.
Iodine
A solution from the first-aid kit. In the starch experiment only the adult adds the drops, and it must never be tasted.
Reaction
When some substances change into others. Signs include gas bubbles, a change of colour or a solid forming.

Light, water and motion

Phototropism
The ability of plants to turn and grow towards light.
Prism
A transparent object that splits white light into the colours of the rainbow. A glass of water can do the same job.
Spectrum
The band of colours that white light splits into, from red to violet.
Expansion on freezing
The property of water to take up more space when it turns into ice.
Lever
A rigid bar or plank that turns around a pivot and helps you lift a load with less effort.
Ramp
A flat surface set at an angle, such as a slide or a ramp for wheelchairs. It makes it easier to raise a load or roll it down.
  • Lessons

    Short observation lessons by topic: what exactly we see in each experiment and why it happens.

  • Methods

    The scientific method in simple words, an observation diary and presenting your result in class.

  • Questions

    Answers about safety, experiments that didn't work and how to present your work for a project.

Sources

  • School science textbooks (in general terms)
  • Guides for young researchers (in general terms)

The experiments are described in general terms, based on school science textbooks, guides for young researchers and safety rules. Results at home may differ from what you expect, so repeat each experiment together with an adult and write down honestly what you actually saw.