The third grade science experiments and STEM activities in this post give students opportunities to build skills like recognizing similarities and differences (patterns), identifying relationships between events (cause and effect), understanding how parts work together (systems), and how science, engineering, and technology affect each other (interdependence).
The Next Generation Science Standards for third grade focuses on developing science and engineering practices like planning investigations, analyzing data, and constructing explanations while exploring traits and survival in life science, weather and climate in Earth science, forces and motion in physical science and using concepts like cause and effect patterns to connect ideas and solve problems.
I know your students will enjoy these activities as much as mine do!
Third Grade Science Experiments
Easy Geologic Time Scale Models
This idea for making a model of the geologic time scale is so easy to do! All you need are clear plastic cups, beads, and Play Doh. I found everything at the dollar store. Head over to see how it’s done!
Fossil Evidence Activities for 3rd Grade
Another high engagement Play Doh activity is to make fossil impressions. Add this activity to your resources for teaching fossil evidence.
Get a complete unit with lesson plans, third grade science experiments, teaching slides and much more:
Map a Mountain 3D Topographic Maps Project
Add math and map skills to your science activities with this topographic map landforms lab. In this 3D topographic map activity, students will use clay to make a 3D model, then section it with dental floss to make a topographic map. It’s a unique one that your students will love!
Free Third Grade Science Mini Unit
What Does A Scientists Do? Learning the Scientific Process
This page features lots of activities for students to learn about different areas of science and the scientific process PLUS a free science mini unit with teaching slides and workbook!
The Sharpie Solubility Experiment
In this experiment students explore solubility. They test and compare the solubility of ink in different liquids.
Fossil Sponges: Mineral Replacement Experiment
This unique science activity is a demonstration of the mineral replacement process that forms fossils. Visit this page to see how it’s done and impress your students when you do it in class!
Get a complete science unit with lesson plans, labs, teaching slides, assessments and much more for teaching Environments, Survival and Fossil Evidence:
Find a list of related adaptations, survival, and fossil books on Amazon.
Environments & Survival Experiments
This page has four different third grade science experiments ideal for teaching your students about environments and survival. Find out how to do the following experiments:
- Make Models of Water Plant Adaptations
- Investigate: How Does the Shape of a Bird’s Beak Determine What It Eats?
- Analyzing Fossils
- Make a Model of the Fossil Record
- The Yeast Experiment
Find a list of related adaptations, survival, and fossil books on Amazon.
Get a complete unit with lesson plans, third grade science experiments, teaching slides and much more:
Inherited & Variations of Traits Projects
This page has a helpful collection of easy and engaging inherited traits activities and third grade science experiments to teach about inheritance, variation of traits, and heredity. Students can do:
- The Celery Experiment
- The Onion Lab
- Creature Offspring Traits Project
- Variations of Traits Game
I’ve also compiled a list of related inherited traits books on Amazon.
Get a complete unit with lesson plans, labs, teaching slides and much more:
Forces, Motion & Magnets
Learning about force, motion and magnets is always a highlight for kids! on this page you’ll find the following investigations that align and cover the concepts in the NGSS.
- Investigate How Shape Affects Motion
- Patterns of Motion on the Playground
- Build a Chain Reaction
- How Can Electric Forces Make An Object Float?
- Make An Electromagnet
Get a complete unit with lesson plans, labs, teaching slides and much more:
Find my list of related forces and motion books on Amazon.
More Third Grade Science Experiments
Measure a Magnetic Field Investigation
A magnetic field is the area around a magnet where there is a magnetic force. The shape of the magnetic field depends on the shape of the magnet. Magnetic fields are invisible, but students will be able to feel the pull of the magnetic force using magnets and paperclips.
The experiment on this page gives students the opportunity to feel the magnetic force and measure the magnetic field of a magnet.
Weather & Climate Science Experiments
Visit this page before you begin your unit on weather and climate for loads of teaching ideas, science experiments, and STEM projects for third grade science experiment that align with the Next Generation Science Standards.
See third grade science experiments that give student the opportunity to do the following:
- Measuring Rainfall
- Make a 3D Precipitation Graph
- Design a Hurricane-Safe Home
- Model Ways to Stop a Flood
- Write a Storm Safety Guide
See my list of Weather and Climate books on Amazon.
Get a complete unit with lesson plans, labs, teaching slides and much more:
Milk & Cookies and the Scientific Method
Teaching students about the processes scientists use is a key step in building a science foundation at the beginning of the year. In this post I’ve shared an edible science experiment for students to explore buoyancy as they learn the steps of the scientific method!
Activities to Practice the Engineering Design Process
This post engineering design process post features teaching ideas with activities for students to practice:
- Drawing and labeling a diagram
- Evaluating a design for the problem it solves
- Exploring biomimicry then build a model
- Learning the properties of natural and man-made objects
Find my list of related engineering design books for kids on Amazon.
Get a complete unit with lesson plans, labs, teaching slides and much more:
Ice Cream in a Bag Lab
Making ice cream is a fun and easy way for students to investigate how matter is changed by heating and cooling. As they make their ice cream, students also gain experience in carrying out investigations, making observations, and collecting and analyzing data. It’s a delicious demonstration of how temperature can change matter from a liquid to a solid that students can eat once they finish!
Try these third grade science experiments with your students to hit your target standards in the most fun way!
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