3 Fun Bible-Based Science Experiments for Homeschooling

1. Heavenly Clouds Experiment

Activity: Make your own cloud in a jar and discuss the elements of God's creation.

Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:

Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge? (Job 37:16)

*Discuss ideas about how clouds float in the sky. How do they seem to hang in mid-air?

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. (Psalm 97:1-2)    

*Discuss why clouds surround God's throne. What could be the reasons for this? Can you find any other Bible verses to support this imagery?

He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does." (Luke 12:54)

*Discuss how clouds inform us of coming rain or storms. How is this God's way of helping us predict the weather?

Supplies to Gather:

-Flashlight

-Glass jar with a tight-fitting metal lid, such as a canning jar

-Hot water

-Ice cubes

Lesson: Get ready for a mind-blowing cloud adventure!

Clouds are formed when warm air moves higher into the sky. But as it goes higher, it starts to cool down. When this happens, moisture builds, making lots of tiny water droplets. They are so tiny that your eyes can't even see them!

These water droplets stick together and eventually become a fluffy cloud. As you might know, there are different types of clouds called cirrus, cumulus, stratus, and nimbus. Each cloud type has distinct features and functions. And in case you didn't know, some clouds zoom across the sky at more than 100 miles per hour!

So, the next time you look up and see clouds floating by, remember that they're made of tiny water droplets. God gives us clouds for rain, which waters the earth and helps plants grow. Clouds are very useful to humankind, and we should thank God whenever we see clouds forming in the sky.

Now, let's make our own cloud in a jar!

The Experiment:

-Pour 2-3 inches of hot water into the glass jar and quickly seal it with the metal lid. Allow the jar to sit undisturbed for 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the water vapor to build inside the jar.

-When the timer goes off, place several ice cubes on top of the metal lid.

-Turn off the lights and ask your children to share their hypotheses about what they expect to see.

-Position a flashlight behind the glass jar, shining the light through the jar towards the children.

-Observe and discuss what they see. As the warm air cools down, it causes water droplets to form, thus creating a miniature cloud!

-Journal your observations and write a short prayer of thanks to God for making clouds!

Conclusion:

Clouds are God's way of gathering water droplets in the sky and producing rain for the earth. They are fun to watch and even more fun to make! What did you learn about clouds today?

ALSO: Get our popular Ultimate Field Trip Bucket List to print out and check off the ones you do!

Photo credit: © Pixabay/Eberhard Grossgasteiger

2. Amazing Soil Filtration Experiment

Activity: Observe how God created soil as a natural water filtering system!

Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)            

*Discuss how the Lord created a purification system for our hearts through His Son, Jesus.

Talk about why we need to have pure hearts before God and how we are made holy because of Jesus.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)    

*Discuss what it means to confess our sins and trust God to forgive us. Talk about how we are purified from unrighteousness because of the righteousness of Christ.

Supplies to Gather:

Empty 2-liter soda bottle

Scissors

1 coffee filter

1/2 cup sand

1/2 cup charcoal or activated carbon

1/2 cup gravel

1/2 cup rocks

1 cup water

1 teaspoon dirt

1 teaspoon oil

1 teaspoon shredded paper or styrofoam

Timer

Lesson: Welcome, everyone!

In today's science lesson, we are going to explore an exciting experiment that will highlight the remarkable abilities of soil to purify water. As we conduct this experiment, we will also be reminded of how Jesus purifies us from sin and cleanses us from unrighteousness.

The properties of soil are part of God's amazing creation. He made dirt, rocks, and other elements to act as nature's way of filtering water. Imagine being in the wilderness without a water bottle. It wouldn't take long for you to get very thirsty! However, you wouldn't want to drink water out of a pond or lake without filtering the bacteria. Besides boiling water over a campfire, you can, in some cases, use soil to filter the water and make it clean enough to drink. Today's experiment will show you just how it's done!

The Experiment:

-With an adult's help, cut the top third of the 2-liter bottle and place it inverted (upside down) in the remainder of the bottle.

-Fill the inverted part with the coffee filter.

-Layer the sand, charcoal, gravel, and rock inside the coffee filter.

-Stir in dirt, oil, and shredded pieces in the cup of water and pour onto the layers of sand, gravel, and rock.

-Watch as the water seeps through the soil layers to produce clean water.

-Use a timer to see how long it takes for the water to run through.

-Try the experiment multiple times, adding the layers in different order.

-Record your results and journal a prayer of thanks to God for providing Jesus as our ultimate purification system!

Conclusion:

Even though it seems impossible that dirt can make something clean, God's natural water filtration system involves layers of soil, gravel, and rock. Isn't that amazing? How will you remember this cool experiment the next time you go exploring?

3. Uniquely You Fingerprint Experiment

Activity: Discover how each fingerprint is unique according to God's magnificent design.

Bible Verses to Read and Discuss: 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

*Discuss how each person was created by God, fearfully and wonderfully. No two people are exactly alike!

God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)    

*Discuss what it means to be created in God's image. Emphasize how we reflect His character as found in His Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control). Ask the question, "Do you think God has fingerprints?"

Supplies to Gather:

-Ink pads of various colors 

-Clear adhesive tape

-White paper or index cards

-Playdough or Silly Putty

-Magnifying glass

Lesson: Are you ready to discover one of the unique things about you?

Your fingerprints are proof that you have a loving Creator who made you in His image. And you know what? God has a wonderful purpose for your life! This experiment will reveal how God cares about every single detail of who you are. After all, He designed you to reflect His image. 

In a field called Forensic Science, did you know that collecting and analyzing fingerprints can help solve crimes? Fingerprint patterns are special marks only found on a person's hands. No two people have the same fingerprint pattern, so it's a great way to find out who might have done something wrong.

Now, let's get ready to study fingerprints and the amazing way no two are alike! 

The Experiment:

-Explain the purpose of fingerprints, such as identifying individuals and enhancing our ability to grip things.

-Have children wash their hands and dry them.

-Roll one fingertip back and forth on the ink pad, ensuring an even ink coating.

-Next, gently roll the fingertip onto a white paper or index card.

-Take a piece of clear adhesive tape and carefully press it onto the inked fingerprint, ensuring there are no air bubbles.

-Carefully remove the tape by peeling it off in a single motion.

-Stick the tape onto a clean white paper or index card. 

-Repeat the process with each finger.

-Try imprinting on play dough or silly putty for fun.

-Use the magnifying glass to examine the intricate details of each fingerprint.

Conclusion:

It's true that no fingerprint is exactly alike! Each one has a unique pattern created by the God who loves us. Every person on earth is fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image. Now, how are we going to reflect His wonderful characteristics to the world?

REMINDER: Get our popular Ultimate Field Trip Bucket List to print out and check off the ones you do!