STEM Investigation: Baking Soda and Vinegar
Recommended Grade Level:
Type of Resource: PDF
Number of Pages: 5
Coordinating Activities
STEM Investigation: Baking Soda and Vinegar
- Instruction sheet
- Recording sheet with objective, hypothesis and observation
Kids write or draw a hypothesis, do the investigation and record what happened.
Required Materials:
- Paper, printer and ink
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Pipette
- Tray or baking sheet with sides
- Plastic tablecloth
- Pencil
Standards for Science Investigation
This baking soda and vinegar investigation supports early science standards connected to asking questions, making predictions and recording observations.
NGSS and Common Core State Standards
- NGSS K-2-ETS1-1: Ask questions, make observations and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool. Kids ask questions and make predictions.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.8: With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. Kids record what they observe.
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
- PK4.VI.A.1: Child observes, investigates, describes and discusses characteristics of common objects. Kids explore the materials in the baking soda and vinegar investigation.
Virginia Science Standards of Learning
- K.3: Physical properties of an object can be described. Kids describe what they observe during the investigation.
STEM Investigation: Baking Soda and Vinegar gives preschool and kindergarten kids a simple, hands-on science experiment where they observe the reaction between baking soda and vinegar.
Kids drop vinegar onto baking soda and watch it fizz and bubble. It is a simple reaction that kids love to repeat.
Kids make a hypothesis, try the experiment and record their observations on the recording sheet. It is a great first step into the scientific method.
How to Use STEM Investigation: Baking Soda and Vinegar
- Gather the materials listed above.
- Read the instruction sheet together.
- Cover the work space and set out a tray with baking soda.
- Kids add vinegar with a pipette and watch the reaction.
- Kids record their observations on the recording sheet.
- Talk about what happened and why.
Small Group: Do the investigation together and take turns with each step.
Science Center: Set out the materials and recording sheets for kids to explore.
Easy Ways to Differentiate This STEM Investigation
Every group has a mix of science, language and writing skills. These simple changes keep the activity familiar while meeting each child where they are.
For Children Who Need More Support:
- Do each step together.
- Draw a picture of what happened.
- Use picture cues for each step.
- Dictate the hypothesis to an adult.
For On-Level Practice:
- Make a hypothesis before starting.
- Record what happened in words or pictures.
- Compare the result to the hypothesis.
- Share the results with a friend.
For an Extra Challenge:
- Change one thing and try again.
- Write a sentence about why it happened.
- Make a new prediction.
- Plan your own experiment.
For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support:
- Talk through each step together and give plenty of wait time.
- Accept pointing, gestures, AAC or any communication method the child already uses.
- Use the experiment to build science words.
- Repeat the investigation on another day.
STEM Investigation: Baking Soda and Vinegar Is Perfect For:
- Preschool and pre-K
- Kindergarten
- First grade
- Science fair practice
- Science centers
- STEM centers
- Small-group instruction
- Homeschool
