Sunshine and Science – Volume 2
Family STEM Activities
Discover a wide range of new experiments and activities to keep learning fun all summer long!
From Switch Classroom
Welcome to Sunshine & Science: Volume 2!
We’re so excited to share this new edition of our family-friendly energy magazine with you. Designed with curiosity and connection in mind, Sunshine & Science brings the world of energy into your home through fun, hands-on activities that spark conversation, discovery, and learning for all ages. In this volume, you’ll explore different forms of energy—from the heat of the sun to the power of the wind and beyond. Whether you’re building a simple circuit, simulating a nuclear reaction, or testing out your own energy ideas, each activity is a chance to learn together and think about how energy shapes our everyday lives. Just click the link or scan the QR code with each type of energy to get to the activity! At Switch Classroom, we believe that understanding energy is key to building a brighter, more energized future. We’re grateful to be part of your learning journey—and we hope this magazine brings as much sunshine to your home as it did to ours creating it.
Happy exploring!
— The Switch Classroom Team
Energy
Which household material keeps heat in best—foil, fleece, or bubble wrap? In this cozy challenge, your family will test different materials to find out which ones do the best job at insulating. It’s the perfect way to explore energy efficiency while connecting science to real-world needs—like keeping your ice cream cold or designing shelter gear for cold weather emergencies.
Conservation
Energy use isn’t the same in summer as it is in winter—and your family can track the changes! In this real-life investigation, you’ll dig into your utility bills, observe your own conservation habits, and make small changes that can make a big difference. It’s part detective work, part behavior science, and a great way to start meaningful conversations about energy use across seasons.
Electricity
Turn your kitchen table into a mini makerspace with this playful science activity perfect for all ages! Using Play-Doh and everyday items, your family will build both parallel and series circuits, test out insulators and conductors, and even explore simple circuit diagrams. No soldering required, just curiosity and creativity.
Coal
Layers of the Land: A Coal Mining Model
Get ready to mine… with snacks! In this hands-on simulation, your family will “excavate” chocolate chips and licorice pieces from a layered Earth model made of marshmallows, oats, and other pantry items. It’s a playful way to explore how surface mining works, compare energy resource extraction, and test out land reclamation. Expect some mess, lots of discovery, and maybe a few sticky fingers!
Natural Gas
Unlocking Energy: From Density to Power
What makes some materials heavy and others light? Why does a tiny snack pack such an energy punch? In this two-part lab, your family will explore the difference between physical density (how tightly packed something is) and energy density (how much energy it holds). Whether you’re packing snacks for a hike or thinking about how different fuels keep us moving, this hands-on experiment explores how energy fuels your body and powers the world around you.
Nuclear
Explore the powerful science of nuclear energy…using beads and a box! This activity models nuclear fission in a fun, energetic way that helps families understand how chain reactions work and how energy is released. It’s fast-paced, visual, and surprisingly addictive… just like a real reaction in motion! Get ready to shake, observe, and shout “Collision!”
Solar
Ready to harness the power of the sun? In this summer-friendly activity, kids compare two types of solar energy, passive and active, using simple materials like shoeboxes and thermometers. It’s part solar experiment, part mini design challenge, and totally illuminating.
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