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Have you ever wondered why fizzy drinks make you burp? Read on to find out and try a science activity to demonstrate! Fizzy drinks are fizzy because they have carbon dioxide gas pumped into them under high pressure. If you have a SodaStream at home, you’ve probably seen how adding the gas makes water fizzy. … Continue reading “Why do fizzy drinks make you burp?”

A shooting star isn’t really a star, it’s usually a small piece of rock or dust burning up as it hits the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed. As the rock moves through the atmosphere it heats up and glows. Is a Shooting Star a Meteor? Yes, astronomers call shooting stars meteors. They mostly burn up … Continue reading “What is a Shooting Star?”

Insects may be small, but they play a vital role in animal survival and in keeping our planet healthy. Insects pollinate plants, provide food and help break down waste. Without them, food chains and ecosystems would break down. Building an insect hotel is a great way to support local biodiversity, especially in towns or areas … Continue reading “Build an Insect Hotel”

Have you ever been outside on a warm day after it rained and wondered what the lovely, earthy smell is? The smell is created by a compound called geosmin, a by-product of soil-dwelling actinobacteria. The smell was given the name petrichor in 1964. It’s not the smell of rain falling. It’s the smell of the … Continue reading “Why does rain smell so good?”

If your kids love logic puzzles, this river crossing riddle is a classic. Can you believe it’s been told for over 1000 years? Today I’m sharing a FREE printable hands-on version featuring a farmer with a job to do, a hungry fox, a chicken and some tasty corn! It’s a fantastic low-prep, inexpensive activity that … Continue reading “Farmer, Fox, Chicken and Corn Puzzle”

Over the many years I’ve been writing Science Sparks, Autumn has always been my favourite season for designing themed activities. I love the colourful leaves, dark nights, cooler weather, and, of course, the run-up to Christmas is always exciting, too! This collection of fall science experiments and activities makes me smile every time I read … Continue reading “20 Autumn and Fall Science Experiments”

Imagine you have a blank map of the world. How many colours do you think you’d need to colour it so that no two countries sharing a border are the same colour? The answer is surprisingly low, just four! If you were to draw a very twisty shape, you’d still only need four colours to … Continue reading “What is the Four Colour Theorem?”

You’ve probably never sat down and thought about what soil is actually made of, but it’s a lot more than just mud and dirt. It plays a crucial role in supporting life on Earth, anchoring plant roots, delivering vital nutrients, and providing a habitat for billions of microorganisms alongside creatures like earthworms, ants, and beetles. … Continue reading “Cake Soil Layer Model”

Zero Prep STEM Ice Breakers First days can be tricky for some children, and there’s nothing more stressful than trying to think of a fun fact about yourself on the spot. So I’ve created easy icebreakers to reduce stress and get kids working together in groups on a fun task. Each idea uses only inexpensive … Continue reading “First Day of School STEM Ice Breakers”

Are you ready for the solar eclipse on the 12th August? The last eclipse in the UK like this was back in 1999 and really doesn’t feel like it was 27 years ago! This Wednesday, a total solar eclipse will be visible over Greenland, Iceland, Spain and parts of northern Portugal. The UK and Ireland … Continue reading “UK Solar Eclipse 2026 – What is it and how to watch”