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Back-to-School Science Teaching Supplies: Using Interactive, Fun Science Tools for Kids

A teacher and students in a classroom

Our science tools for kids make learning both fun and effective. The best educators know that memorizing facts isn’t enough to keep students engaged. Using hands-on science teaching supplies sparks their curiosity and awakens their sense of wonder. One experiment can change a child’s life—you could inspire the next Einstein!

The simple truth is that a lot of the educational science supplies and lessons out there don’t get children genuinely excited. For many students (yours truly included), science class is (or was) the highlight of the school day. And, fascinating experiments can convert children who lack interest in science. Here are eight incredible interactive science tools for kids (and adults, too)!

1. Diffraction Grating Slides

Spectral light

Diffraction grating has a fancy name, but it’s really just a way to study light and color—a natural phenomenon all ages can appreciate! Use diffraction grating slides to show your students how ordinary light waves can be broken down into multiple spectral beam paths. You can also shine a laser through the slides and rotate them to create monochromatic laser show type patterns.

Take the lesson a step further by introducing gas spectrum tubes into the mix! They contain elements—hydrogen, helium, mercury, neon, nitrogen, and argon—in molecule or gaseous atom forms. These science tools for kids showcase how different elements and light interact with each other.

2. Fireworks Glasses

A group of students wearing diffraction glasses

Fireworks glasses are science teaching supplies you can enjoy on your own time, too! These diffraction glasses are like diffraction grating slides, but they take that basic concept to the extreme, transforming lights into jaw-dropping displays of rainbows. Your students will be amazed as the world around them morphs into a colorful wonderland.

These marvelous glasses are popular for viewing fireworks shows, laser shows, holiday lights, and other vibrant displays. However, they can also be used with standard lighting. You don’t need to leave the classroom to enjoy these science tools for kids. We recommend bringing a variety of different lights so they can really explore the magic.

3. Solar Viewers

An eclipse

Our solar eclipse glasses and viewers are ISO- and CE-certified safe for viewing eclipses. These features let you view eclipses and other outer space events with absolute safety while enjoying a high-clarity viewing experience. Made from innovative, scratch-resistant black polymer material, the lenses of our paper eclipse glasses filter out all harmful ultraviolet and infrared light, as well as block 99.999% of high-intensity visible light.

But, they’re not only for those rare occasions. They’re perfect for teaching solar astronomy as a whole, allowing students to safely view planets against the sun’s surface, sunspots, sunbursts, and other solar and astral phenomena that can’t be viewed with the naked eye.

If you’re interested in viewing solar phenomena with a telescope, binoculars, camera, or any other device, our solar filters will do the job. Get those junior astronomers excited about the universe!

4. Rainbow Suncatchers

A room covered in rainbows from a suncatcher

Rainbow suncatchers are fantastic science tools for kids, but they’re also amazing classroom decorations! Use these science teaching supplies to explain how rainbow diffraction works, and then hang them in a sunny window. After learning about the ROYGBIV spectrum, your students will be delighted every time they see the lesson come to life as rainbows dance around the classroom.

Rainbow Images

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We hope these ideas are inspiring as you plan your curriculum! If you have any questions, or if you’d like to request personalized suggestions for your class, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

We take pride in offering high-quality products that should last for many school years to come. Non-custom products are backed by 30-day returns and exchanges, so order your science tools for kids with confidence, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for 10% off your first order. Show your students that learning can be fun!