Here is the list of materials for doing ALL the experiments in the entire Unit 20 section on atmosphere and geology.


How many of these items do you already have? We’ve tried to keep it simple for you by making the majority of the items things most people have within reach (both physically and budget-wise), so you can pick and choose the experiments that fit with what you’d like to do. Since the lessons for Earth Science require very different materials, we’ve keep them in two separate itemized lists for you.


Here’s how to use this shopping list: First, look over the list and circle the items you already have on hand. Browse the experiments and note which ones use the materials you already have. Those are the experiments you can start with. After working through the experiments, your child might want to expand and do more activities. Make a note of the materials and put them on your next shopping trip OR order them online using the links provided below.


We’ve tried to keep it simple for you by making the majority of the items things most people have within reach (both physically and budget-wise). Are you ready?


Shopping List for Unit 20: Earth Science Click here for Shopping List for Unit 20.


NOTE: Radio Shack part numbers have been replaced. Click here for full chart.


Lesson 1: Atmosphere


  • activated carbon (found in a fish store)
  • alcohol burner or votive candle
  • alum (found in the grocery or drug store)
  • balloons (5)
  • black paint or spray (flat, not glossy)
  • black piece of paper
  • bowl
  • business card or index card
  • Celsius/Fahrenheit thermometer
  • cheese cloth
  • chemistry stand (optional)
  • clay
  • cotton balls (2)
  • Diaper Genie refill, or large plastic bags.
  • disposable cups (4)
  • disposable pie tin (2)
  • drill bits and drill with adult help
  • duct tape, masking tape
  • electric fan
  • film canister or soup can
  • food dye (red and blue)
  • funnel
  • garbage bag (lightweight, plastic)
  • glass jars (3)
  • glasses (2, identical)
  • gloves
  • goggles
  • hair dryer (hand held)
  • hair, single
  • highlighter (silver, or some aluminum foil)
  • hole punch
  • ice cubes
  • ketchup packet
  • lighter (with adult help)
  • lime (calcium hydroxide, found in gardening store)
  • marker
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons (1/4 and 1/2)
  • medicine dropper or syringe dropper
  • newspaper
  • paintbrush
  • paper
  • paper clips
  • pencil with eraser on top
  • pepper
  • ping pong ball
  • pinwheel (can be purchased or made from construction paper)
  • popsicle sticks (2)
  • right-angle glass tube inserted into a single-hole stopper (optional)
  • rubber tubing (optional)
  • rubbing alcohol
  • ruler
  • salt
  • saltwater
  • sand (clean sand)
  • scissors
  • shoe box  (small child’s size)
  • soda bottle (two liter)
  • soda cans (3, empty)
  • sodium acetate
  • stopwatch
  • stove or burner (with adult help)
  • straws (25)
  • string  (about 4 feet long)
  • Sun print paper or other paper sensitive to light
  • tacks or pins
  • tape
  • test tube (or medicine dropper)
  • test tube clamp
  • water bottles
  • wire screen

Lesson 2: Geology


Mineral & Rock Samples (These are the ones we used in the videos, but if you have your own collection, use those!)


Supplies:


  • acetic acid (plain distilled white vinegar)
  • ammonia (adult supervision required!)
  • baking soda powder
  • borax (sodium tetraborate)
  • calcium hydroxide (also known as “lime”)
  • calculator
  • copper sulfate crystals
  • dirt
  • disposable paper cups (6)
  • eggshell halves (4), cleaned
  • empty egg carton
  • Epsom salts
  • flour
  • food coloring
  • funnel
  • glass (plate)
  • glass jar
  • goggles
  • hammer
  • kitchen sponge (2)
  • laundry bluing
  • longwave UV  light (included in the fluorescent minerals kit above)
  • magnet
  • magnifying lens (handheld)
  • measuring cup (milliliters (mL))
  • measuring tape
  • medicine dropper
  • mixing bowl
  • oil
  • paper clip
  • paper towels
  • paperclip
  • pennies (50)
  • penny
  • pie tins (6)
  • pipe cleaners (or string or skewer)
  • Plaster of Paris
  • plastic spoon
  • pliers (to bend paperclip)
  • Polyurethane A & B
  • popsicle sticks
  • rubber stopper
  • ruler
  • salt
  • sand
  • scale (measures in grams)
  • scissors
  • shell (something to make a fossil of)
  • sodium silicate
  • steel nail
  • stove, pan, and adult help
  • straw
  • string
  • sugar
  • test tube
  • toilet paper
  • unglazed porcelain tile
  • votive candle
  • water bottles (2)
  • wooden skewer