Science Investigation Box

Wildlife Wonders

 

This investigation box allows children to explore wild animals and their habitats. The activities in this box are geared toward pre-kindergartners.

To begin this investigation, share with your students the book Where Once There Was a Wood by Denise Flemming. This text is excellent for introducing young students to concept of vanishing wildlife and what we can do to protect the wildlife and our environment. Students may wear hats to become wildlife rangers as they engage in the activities in the box. 

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In this activity students will use clues based on each animal's needs for food, water, space, and shelter to identify which animal belongs in which habitat. The cards and animals are all laminated and the animals Velcro onto their clue cards to look as if they are standing in their habitat. Definitions and explanations of the four basic needs of living things: food, water, space, and shelter can be found in the back of Where Once There Was a Wood.

Another fun activity is to have students play a paw print memory/matching game. students will play until they have matched all of the sets of paw prints and then look through the guide to identify which paw prints belong to which animals.

Next you can make an animal footprint trap or go on a bird walk. Use the Basics of Bird-Watching guide to make your experience the best that it can be.

Next you may want to study animal life cycles. Here is an example of how to use a template to create a life cycle of a frog booklet. There are many templates available online for building animal life cycle booklets. 

 

 

Last but not least, have your little wildlife rangers choose their favorite animal to create an animal dot painting. These will make for excellent classroom decor and serve as a fun way to end your wildlife unit.

Amazing Websites!

The Lorax Project 

 

This site raises awareness of environmental issues and helps children to take action to conserve forests and species.

 

KidsHealth

 

KidsHealth has trainloads of accurate, up-to-date information about growth, food & fitness, childhood infections, immunizations, lab tests, medical and surgical conditions, and the latest treatments. You’ll find health games, How The Body Works animations, the KidsVote health poll, and tons of surprises.

 

Catch the Science Bug  

Solve science puzzles, do your own scientific investigations, or learn more about what scientists do on the job.

 

Climate Kids

 

Climate Kids offers kids clear answers to questions on global climate change through sections on weather, air, the ocean, fresh water, carbon, energy, plants and animals and technology. Includes educational games, activities, crafts, videos and information on green careers.

 

Kids Astronomy

Powerful and fun resource for kids, exploring astronomy and other space related topics. Play games, learn through interactive applications, and much more.

 

Kids Science Challenge 

 

Heres your chance to have a real scientist help you with your science project. Submit your idea and the scientists may choose it to study! And even if yours isnt chosen, you can still find lots of fun science activities on this site.

 

San Diego Zoo - Kids  

Explore the animals of the San Diego Zoo. Learn facts, see up-close images, play games, and interact. 

 

 

Walking with Dinosaurs 

 

Created by the BBC, Walking with Dinosaurs features individual pages featuring interesting facts, images and statistics on particular dinosaurs. 

 

Energy Kids 

 

Learn about energy and try some fun games and activities. Discover what energy is, where it comes from, how to use and save energy, and more! Also includes fabulous content for teachers and classrooms.

 

Magic Porthole 

 

Magic Porthole takes you into the fascinating and fragile world of coral reefs and the vast oceans. Enjoy playing games as you make discoveries about the lives of frogfish, cleaning gobies, turtles, seahorses, and dolphins. Deepen your knowledge with exciting videos, games, and many resources from aquariums, museums, NOAA, and the Wild Dolphin Project, among others.