Good Experiments to Use in the Classroom

Using experiments as part of educational instruction is an interactive, creative approach when teaching grade school courses. There are many ideas for inexpensive, useful experiments that showcase key principles of the subject for learners. Science and economics are two areas in which experiments are frequently used, but other subjects such as business and social studies often incorporate experiments into the curriculum.

Global Climate Change Game

Although this experiment was developed for older students, it can easily be adapted for younger students. The Global Climate Change Game provides students with an overview of the various stakeholders and mandates at play in the ever-changing global climate change area. Teaching students about carbon issues, international politics and the role of economics in the environment is the key principle of this game. The game is useful for economics and social studies courses, and adaptations can also be developed for global issues and other courses.

Deal or No Deal

This game, Deal or No Deal, is an adaptation from the popular television show with the same name. It also focuses on the same principle: teaching product value. Adaptations of this game are particularly useful for economics, math and banking classes at varying levels of the education system. For many students, this would be an initial useful illustration of the value of money.

Diet Coke and Mentos

This experiment is particularly useful in illustrating basic reactions in science courses. It is inexpensive, requiring only Diet Coke and Mentos, and students can be involved in the setup, implementation and cleanup of the experiment. It is a basic experiment, but it demonstrates key reactionary principles and is a cost-effective, engaging way of incorporating an experiment into the classroom. Conducting this experiment outside is best. Students should also wear appropriate safety goggles and parents should be warned of safety risks associated with the project. However, this experiment is very popular and, when conducted appropriately, safe for students. According to Tonya Coffee, a physicist at Appalachian State University, "This was a good project for my students to study because there was still some mystery to it."

Classroom DNA Experiments

Using food dyes, teens can experiment with DNA analysis in the classroom. This test was developed by a student, Andrew Trigiano, and his father, Robert Trigiano. According to Medical News Today, Dr. Trigiano explained that "one experiment, electrophoresis of common food dyes, was designed for secondary and undergraduate students but can be used as an inexpensive means for introducing the main concepts of electrophoresis to anyone."