Science lab opportunities for homeschool co-ops at Clemson University!

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Make a Registration
Fees and Payment HERE

WHERE? Basement of Jordan Hall (G26-G30), Clemson University
COST?  See pricing scheme through ‘Fees and Payment’ button
WHEN?  See availability calendar through the ‘Make a Reservation’ button
QUESTIONS?  culsoc@clemson.edu or 864-656-9939

Acids and Bases
(ages 8–12)

 In this lab, students will:

  • Discover the difference between acids and bases
  • Investigate indicators
  • Explore how electricity can produce acids or bases
  • Use indicators to test common materials

Air Pressure and Flight
(ages 8-12) 

In this lab, students will:

  • Explore air pressure using bottles and balloons
  • Discover Bernoulli’s principle
  • Apply principles of air pressure to flight

The Amazing Life of Honey Bees 
(ages 8–12)

 In this lab, students will:

  • Discuss honey bees and their role in pollination
  • Explore the honey bee life cycle
  • Observe dead honey bees using a microscope
  • Design, build, and test a pollination device

Chemistry in Art
(ages 8-12) 

In this lab, students will:

  • Harness chemical and physical reactions to create art
  • Learn about acids, bases, and indicators
  • Discover polarity and how it can make molecules move

Chromatography
(ages 8-12) 

In this lab, students will:

  • Learn the science behind chromatography
  • Discover the colors that make candy bright
  • Separate mixtures of color with paper chromatography
  • Create art with chromatography spinners

DNA Fingerprinting/Crime Scene
(ages 8-12) 

In this lab, students will:

  • Discover/review the location and the role of DNA in our bodies
  • Perform gel electrophoresis to compare DNA from suspects to DNA found at the crime scene
  • Explore how genetic signatures are used in forensics and other applications
  • Discuss how environmental and genetic factors influence organisms

Effect of Chemicals on Plant Cells
(ages 8-12) 

In this lab, students will:

  • Learn about the electromagnetic spectrum and how we see color
  • Discover how a spectrophotometer detects absorbance of light
  • Discuss parts of the plant cell, including the function of the vacuole
  • Analyze data by constructing graphs
  • Form a conclusion based on experimental results
  • Build a model cell using dialysis tubing
  • Explore how a cell membrane controls what enters and exits the cell
  • Observe typical animal and plant cells using a compound microscope

Enzymes
(ages 8-12) 

In this lab, students will:

  • Explore enzymes in the foods we eat
  • Discover the properties of enzymes and what makes them work and not work
  • Build apple juice filters to determine if an enzyme can make a liquid clearer

Forensic Methodology
(ages 8-12) 

In this lab, students will:

  • Use microscope to evaluate “poison powders”
  • Preform chemical analysis on “poison powders”
  • Investigate blood typing
  • Inspect fingerprints

Light and Color
(ages 8–12)

 In this lab, students will:

  • Learn about the electromagnetic spectrum and how we see color
  • Explore light, color, and diffraction by building a spectroscope
  • Design and build a kaleidoscope
  • Investigating how light can play tricks on our eyes

Magnetism and Electricity
(ages 8–12)

 In this lab, students will:

  • Discover how electricity and magnets can work together
  • Use simple materials to create and test your own “battle bot”

* The cost of this lab is $23.00, which includes a motor and battery for each students’ “Battle bot”. Students will be able to take their “battle bot” home with them after the lab. *

Mystery of the Dead Hemlock
(ages 8-12) 

In this lab, students will:

  • Create a mixture and make observations about its properties as its state of matter changes
  • Learn techniques to micropipette and measure small quantities of liquids
  • Discover and identify elements in the hemlock ecosystem, including producers, consumers, and decomposers
  • Perform gel electrophoresis to compare DNA from known pests to an unknown tree killer (scientists use this method to separate out parts of a mixture)
  • Discuss possible solutions communities can use to stop the unknown tree killer and save the hemlock ecosystem

Osmosis and Diffusion
(ages 8–12)

 In this lab, students will:

  • Use change in mass to determine if osmosis has occurred
  • Participate in the “Challenge of the Barriers” to explore diffusion
  • Apply diffusion to mobilize color

Polymers
(ages 8–12)

 In this lab, students will:

  • Create polymer models
  • Discuss natural and synthetic polymers
  • Explore the properties of polymers while designing a delayed-release pill
  • Create polymer art with Shrinky Dinks

Rockets
(ages 8–12)

 In this lab, students will:

  • Learn about the 4 forces of flight
  • Experiment with Newton’s 3 laws of motion
  • Design, build, and launch compressed air rockets

The Dyes We Digest
(ages 13+)

 In this lab, students will:

  • Collect quantitative data using a spectrophotometer.
  • Prepare dilutions using micropipettes.
  • Determine the wavelength of maximum absorbance for a specific dye.
  • Determine solution concentrations.
  • Analyze data by constructing graphs.
  • Apply data and graphs to find an unknown value.
  • Calculate the concentration of food dye in sports drink using Beer’s Law
  • Calculate percent error