Lesson Idea | Air and Water in the Environment

About This Guide

This document is a companion guide to the Ontario Science Centre’s video series on play-based learning, produced in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Education.

​The Ontario Science Centre's "Grade 2 Activity Ideas: Air and Water in the Environment – Properties of Solids and Liquids" is a play-based learning guide designed to engage Grade 2 students in hands-on science activities. This resource complements the Centre’s video series on playful classrooms and aligns with the Ontario Ministry of Education’s emphasis on creativity and innovation in early learning.​

Overview of Activities

The guide includes four interactive activities:​

Ice Balloons
Students experiment with frozen water balloons using materials like salt, food colouring, toothpicks, and paper clips. They observe melting patterns and explore the properties of ice and water.

Snowflakes and Symmetry
Students explore rotational symmetry by creating snowflake patterns using mirrors and building materials such as toothpicks and foam pieces. They examine the symmetrical properties of snowflakes and other natural objects.

Water Beads
Students investigate the absorption and expansion properties of water beads. They observe changes in size and texture, exploring concepts related to solids and liquids.

Make It Float
Students design and test objects to see if they float or sink in water. They experiment with different materials and shapes, learning about buoyancy and density.

Outdoor Learning Emphasis

Each activity includes suggestions for outdoor implementation, encouraging students to interact directly with their environment. For example, freezing balloons outdoors during winter or observing snowflakes in nature. The guide emphasizes respect for living things and promotes environmental stewardship.