Critical Thinking Activities for Kids

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking skills are one of the most important things we can instill in students, and that is perhaps one of the main reasons we become teachers in the first place. At Educational Innovations, we provide tools to help you challenge and inspire your students so they will develop those skills. Hand them an Energy Tube or Energy Ball and ask them what activates the light and sound show. Place an ice cube on each of the Amazing Ice Melting Blocks at room temperature. One ice cube instantly begins to melt and is totally gone in about 90 seconds while the other ice cube shows no evidence of melting. Can your students tell you why? When the Poly Density Bottle is shaken, blue and white beads mix as expected. However, when allowed to settle, the beads separate, white at the top and blue at the bottom. Then, the two separated colored beads slowly come together in the center of the liquid. Let your students discuss theories behind this phenomenon!
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  • Poly Density Kit

    Poly Density Kit

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    Spontaneous order from disorder! Isn't this a violation of The Second Law of Thermodynamics??
    $19.95
  • Cartesian Diversions Class Kit

    Cartesian Diversions Class Kit

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    Enough materials to make 60 divers like those seen in the Cartesian Diversions DVD.
    $32.95
  • ColorFlame Candles

    ColorFlame Candles

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    These candles have to be seen to be believed!
    $2.95
  • Fortune Fish

    Fortune Fish

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    Science phenomenon at its best!
    $6.95–$12.95
  • Goldenrod Color-Changing Paper - 100 sheets

    Goldenrod Color-Changing Paper - 100 sheets

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    Turns bright red in bases and returns to bright yellow in acids.
    $16.95
  • Fluorescent Magic Sand

    Fluorescent Magic Sand

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    Sand that repels water and never gets wet!
    $6.95
  • Poly-Ox: A Self-Siphoning Gel

    Poly-Ox: A Self-Siphoning Gel

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    Watch as this fluid moves from one beaker to another on its own.
    $10.95–$44.95
  • Polymer Bead Demonstration

    Polymer Bead Demonstration

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    Great for explaining self-siphoning polymers.
    $19.95
  • Hoberman Switch Pitch Ball

    Hoberman Switch Pitch Ball

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    Toss the ball in the air and watch the colors magically flip!
    $9.95–$17.95
  • Self-Inflating Balloons

    Self-Inflating Balloons

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    Squeeze a flat colored balloon and watch it self-inflate!
    $6.95
  • Solar Tube

    Solar Tube

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    Watch as this 60' solar tube gently lifts into the air.
    $15.95
  • Pressure Pullers

    Pressure Pullers

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    Simple to use: no vacuum pump - but incredibly difficult to pull apart.
    $12.95
  • Fountain Connection

    Fountain Connection

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    The modern version of Hero of Alexandria's fountain.
    $3.95
  • Tornado Tubes

    Tornado Tubes

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    Demonstrate a vortex in your classroom!
    $1.95–$150.00
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Critical Thinking Learning Materials and Activities

As teachers, we want our students to be inquisitive. But what does it mean to "think like a scientist?" A key component is critical thinking. Learning materials that help your students to actively consider information, assess the validity of data, and form their own conclusions are an ideal way to bring critical thinking into your classroom.

Whether your students are trying to figure out why the beads float at different levels in our Poly Density Kit or are wondering which scientific principles are at work with our Atmospheric Mat, these critical thinking learning materials are bound to improve their skills and understanding of scientific phenomena. We agree with the scholar who wrote, "The value of science education might not always be in the facts, but in the thinking." Get your students thinking critically with activities from Educational Innovations!