Skip to content
Illinois Early Learning Project

Illinois Early Learning Project

  • English
  • Spanish - español

  • Tip Sheets
    • All Tip Sheets
    • Infant/toddler Tip Sheets
    • Graphic Tip Sheets
    • Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
    • Tip Sheets by Topic
    • Tip Sheets by Series
    • Order Tip Sheets
    • PDF Collections
  • Videos
    • Parenting Videos
    • Illinois Early Learning Moments
    • Guidelines Videos
    • Benchmark Videos
    • Webinars
  • Standards & Guidelines
    • Illinois Early Learning Guidelines for Children Birth to Age 3
    • 2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards
    • Illinois Learning Standards for Kindergarten
  • Project Approach
    • Project Guides
    • Project Examples
    • Lesson Planning in the Context of Projects
    • Project Approach Tip Sheets
    • Blog: Perspectives on the Project Approach
    • Project Approach Definitions
    • Project Approach Facebook Group
    • Related Project Approach Research
    • The Legacy of Lilian Katz
  • Blogs
    • Learning and Growing Together
    • Dual Language Learners
    • Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
    • Perspectives on the Project Approach
  • More Resources
    • IEL Newsletter
    • Podcasts
    • Learning at Home Activities
    • Resource Lists
    • Resources by Topic or Keyword
    • Questions and Answers (Q&A)
    • Tool Kits
    • View all

Science

children playing with balls

Cardboard Tube Chute

Learning at Home Activities
child with toy

Build a Boat

Learning at Home Activities
child working on a project

Bird’s Nest of Sticks

Learning at Home Activities
boy with watering can

Will it Float?

Learning at Home Activities
children with crayons

Play-Doh Maze!

Learning at Home Activities
drawing of parent and child reading

Jellyfish Watch!

Learning at Home Activities
child with toy

Bobsled Racers!

Learning at Home Activities
number toys

Sensory Rice Bin!

Learning at Home Activities
Mother sitting on chair reading to two children on each side of her

Storytime With Astronauts!

Learning at Home Activities
color drawing of the word "STEAM"

Make a Mess and Explore STEAM

Tool Kits
boy at sensory table

Exploring the Sensory Table

Benchmark Videos
child standing outdoors holding dandelion

Lots of Dandelions

Benchmark Videos
young boy painting with hands

‘Look at Your Lines!’

Benchmark Videos
child doing art at a table

You’ve Got Blue Hands

Benchmark Videos
child engaged in messy play

Look at It Go!

Benchmark Videos
child drawing

Looks Swampy

Benchmark Videos
Get Growing With Your Young Children

Get Growing With Your Young Children

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children

Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children

Resource Lists
Discovering the World of Insects on the Playground

Discovering the World of Insects on the Playground

Project Approach, Project Examples
Cracks and Holes Project

Cracks and Holes Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Horse Project

The Horse Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
Tools People Use

Tools People Use

Project Approach, Project Examples
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish…NEW Fish: A Preschool Fish Project

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish…NEW Fish: A Preschool Fish Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Tamale Project

The Tamale Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Worm Project

The Worm Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
Garden Project Sprouts From Simple Question: “What’s That?”

Garden Project Sprouts From Simple Question: “What’s That?”

Project Approach, Project Examples
Things to Sit On

Things to Sit On

Project Approach, Project Guides
From Door to Door: A Project about Doors and Gates

From Door to Door: A Project about Doors and Gates

Project Approach, Project Guides
Changes in the Trees around Us

Changes in the Trees around Us

Project Approach, Project Guides
Investigating Wheels

Investigating Wheels

Project Approach, Project Guides
Where the Chick Came From

Where the Chick Came From

Benchmark Videos
Talking about Waterslide Models

Talking about Waterslide Models

Benchmark Videos
Shaving Cream

Shaving Cream

Benchmark Videos
Sara Measures

Sara Measures

Benchmark Videos
One Morning at the Construction Table

One Morning at the Construction Table

Benchmark Videos
Observing Chickens on the Playground

Observing Chickens on the Playground

Benchmark Videos
Magnets and Cars

Magnets and Cars

Benchmark Videos
Learning about a Stethoscope

Learning about a Stethoscope

Benchmark Videos
Keep It Moving: Playing With Hoops

Keep It Moving: Playing With Hoops

Benchmark Videos
Ideas about a Marble Run

Ideas about a Marble Run

Benchmark Videos
Getting to Know Rabbits

Getting to Know Rabbits

Benchmark Videos
Flubber

Flubber

Benchmark Videos
Fine Motor Skills and Safety

Fine Motor Skills and Safety

Benchmark Videos
Exploring Windshield Wipers

Exploring Windshield Wipers

Benchmark Videos
Exploring Trees on the Playground

Exploring Trees on the Playground

Benchmark Videos
Exploring Sound on the Dam

Exploring Sound on the Dam

Benchmark Videos
An Engineer Changes His Mind

An Engineer Changes His Mind

Benchmark Videos
Counting Chickens

Counting Chickens

Benchmark Videos
The Clock Repairman and His Tools

The Clock Repairman and His Tools

Benchmark Videos
Bouncing Balls

Bouncing Balls

Benchmark Videos
Bethany Draws a Wheel

Bethany Draws a Wheel

Benchmark Videos
Air and Tires

Air and Tires

Benchmark Videos
Pour It! Stir It! Yum!

Pour It! Stir It! Yum!

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Go Outdoors and Explore: Build Upon Young Children’s Natural Curiosity

Go Outdoors and Explore: Build Upon Young Children’s Natural Curiosity

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Play with Light & Shadow

Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Play with Light & Shadow

Tip Sheets
drawing of child with magnifying glass

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Curious Young Scientists

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: The Trees You See

Natural Illinois: The Trees You See

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers

Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children

Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: Learning about Seeds

Get Growing: Learning about Seeds

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: From Seeds to Sprouts

Get Growing: From Seeds to Sprouts

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
child watching clouds

Encouraging Scientific Thinking: Rain or Shine

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
CSI: Child Scientist Investigates!

CSI: Child Scientist Investigates!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
two boys with bubbles

Cooperation Across the Preschool Curriculum: Science

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Time for Preschoolers: In Sequence!

Time for Preschoolers: In Sequence!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Things Change

Things Change

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
boy with watering can

Say Yes to the Mess! Water Works

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time

Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks

Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Project Approach: Children Taking Surveys

Project Approach: Children Taking Surveys

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
mom and child baking

Predicting: Helping Preschoolers Look Ahead

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Playground Physics: Watch for Falling Objects!

Playground Physics: Watch for Falling Objects!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
children playing with balls

Playground Physics: On a Roll!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Playground Physics: Hang in There!

Playground Physics: Hang in There!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Play and Self-Regulation in Preschool

Play and Self-Regulation in Preschool

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Out and About with Preschoolers: Sunshine Science

Out and About with Preschoolers: Sunshine Science

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Out and About with Preschoolers: Science in the “Built Environment”

Out and About with Preschoolers: Science in the “Built Environment”

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads

Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Mammals

Natural Illinois: Mammals

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths

Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Rock On!

Natural Illinois: Rock On!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around

Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Birds

Natural Illinois: Birds

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Insects

Natural Illinois: Insects

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.B.ECb

Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.B.ECb

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.A.ECb

Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.A.ECb

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 11.A.ECf

Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 11.A.ECf

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Planning Ahead

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Planning Ahead

Tip Sheets
child with magnifying glass

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Science

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Project Work in a Program Serving Highly Diverse Communities

Project Work in a Program Serving Highly Diverse Communities

Blogs, Perspectives on the Project Approach
children working on project

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Follow Up!

Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!

Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children

Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Deciding Where to Go

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Deciding Where to Go

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
child with magnifying glass

The Curious Child

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
A Project on Trees: Suggestions for Teachers

A Project on Trees: Suggestions for Teachers

Blogs, Perspectives on the Project Approach
child looking at tractor

Building an Appetite for Project Work

Blogs, Perspectives on the Project Approach
children working on project

Project Approach: Phase 2—Doing Fieldwork

Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 2—Getting Ready for Fieldwork

Project Approach: Phase 2—Getting Ready for Fieldwork

Tip Sheets

About IEL

The Illinois Early Learning Project Web site is a source of evidence-based, reliable information on early care and education for parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children in Illinois.

Funded by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

View IEL staff information, contact IEL online, or call (877) 275-3227.

Disclaimer / Web Privacy Notice

View this page in

  • English
  • Spanish - español

Print Orders

  • Order Tip Sheets
  • Order IEL Guidelines Posters and Brochures

IEL Newsletter

IEL Visitor Survey

View Tip Sheets in…

  • English
  • Spanish: español
  • Polish: Polski
  • Russian: Русский
  • Korean: 한국어
  • Chinese: 中文 (中国)
  • Arabic: العربية
  • French: Français
UIUC logoUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
College of Education
Early Childhood Collective
Copyright © 2021 Illinois Early Learning Project. All rights reserved.