St. Patrick's Day Science and Spring Science Activities

Build a Rainbow Arch!

This is really cool! Students can use paper and glue or tape to build this St. Patrick's Day STEM arch project. When the keystone is placed, the rainbow arch stands up by itself! Students can then pull out the keystone and watch the rainbow collapse. Then build it all over again. This works for St. Patrick's Day science and also for a spring science activity that you can leave up as a decoration. You can see a video of this amazing paper rainbow arch here.

Find the template for the Rainbow Arch here:

Click here to get this rainbow arch

Follow up the rainbow arch project with another great connection to St. Patrick's Day STEM and spring science by learning more about rainbows, light and color in the Bill Nye the Science Guy episode about Light and Color. 

Float and Sink Eggs to Learn about Density

This easy spring egg lab has students sinking and floating eggs in fresh and salt water. It's a fantastic way to learn about density by considering how the liquid an item is in affects sinking or floating. Plus you can make this seasonal for St. Patrick's Day STEM or spring science by having students decorate the eggs (shamrocks? rainbows? other spring themes?) before doing the experiment. 

Click here to get this spring egg lab.

Debate the Environmental Impact of Dying Rivers Green on St. Patrick's Day

Some cities—famously Chicago—dye their rivers green on St. Patrick's Day. Is this a good idea? Does it harm the environment? Have students do some research and debate. This is fantastic critical thinking for St. Patrick's Day STEM, St. Patrick's Day science and environmental spring science in general. Here is a short article to get you started.

St. Patrick's Day STEM photo of Chicago River by Benjamin R. on Unsplash

Make Persuasive Arguments about Spring Images

Speaking of debates, these "Which One Doesn't Belong?" activities are great for open-ended debate. Each set of four pictures asks students which one doesn't belong. The interesting part is that an argument could be made for ANY one of the four images! Students must make the case for their choice and there's no wrong answer. Check it out here:

Click here to get this activity.

No Snakes in Ireland?

Legend has it that Saint Patrick rid Ireland of snakes. Scientists contend that Ireland never had any snakes! Read and discuss with your class. This is a fun St. Patrick's Day Science and Spring Science activity. Here are a couple of interesting short articles on the topic. Read about it here and here.

Other Fun Science Topics to Explore about Ireland

Another great St. Patrick's Day STEM activity is to learn about the natural world in Ireland, such as the Giant's Causeway or the (extinct) Irish Elk. Dog lovers can research the Irish Setter dog breed. Many students are curious about the four-leaf clover and the shamrock; it is fascinating to look into the science behind the plant.

And don't forget to check out some fun St. Patrick's Day Science Experiments with Steve Spangler.