A captivating introduction is crucial for any science lesson. Starting your class with a ‘bell ringer’ activity is an excellent way to engage students and kick off your lecture on a high note. Here are 50 science bell ringers suitable for a variety of grade levels and covering various fields of science.
1. Brain teasers
2. Relevant trivia questions
3. Question of the day
4. Picture analysis
5. Science quotes discussion
6. Problem-solving challenges
7. Graph interpretation
8. Debate on a topic in science (Nature vs Nurture)
9. Mini Kahoot quiz or other educational game app quizzes
10. Guess the scientist or scientific term in charades
11. Video clip analysis (Myth Busters, TED Talks, etc.)
12. Real-world scenarios (connect the scientific concept to daily life)
13. KWL chart (Know, Want to know, Learned)
14. Mind maps – explore how concepts fit together
15. Memory games – recalling facts and figures
16. Virtual lab tours
17. Data collection activities – actively observe nature in real time
18. Observations and predictions
19. Weather report interpretation
20. Explore the history of a scientific discovery or invention
21. Current events – discuss recent scientific discoveries or breakthroughs
22. Compare and contrast scientific theories
23-30: Create unique bell ringers for teaching specific branches of science:
23 Biology: Trace the flow of energy through ecosystems
24 Physics: Speed calculations based on videos of moving objects
25 Astronomy: Identify constellations visible from your location
26 Chemistry: Balancing chemical equations practice
27 Marine Biology: Analyze ocean conservation initiatives
28 Earth Science: Earthquake data interpretation and predictions
29 Meteorology: Investigate weather patterns and influence on climate
30 Geology: Mineral identification exercise
31: STEM-related career exploration through guest speakers, virtual interviews, or research
32: Cross-disciplinary science/art projects (ex. designing an infographic)
33: Design an experiment to solve a scientific inquiry
34: Dunk Tank of Science – Students guess if an object will float or sink, then explain their reason
35: Online simulations exploring scientific concepts
36: Science joke or riddle discussion
37: Exit ticket – one big idea learned in class
38: Vocabulary word inference based on context clues
39: Scavenger hunt – searching for classroom objects relating to the topic
40: Primary resource analysis from scientists’ journals or documents
41-50: Use these activities to engage students with current events and public opinions on science.
41. Investigate the impacts of climate change
42. Investigate what sustainable living looks like
43. Analyze the impact of vaccinations on public health
44. Delve into alternative energy sources and their pros/cons
45. Food security and local sourcing – how does it work?
46-47. Discuss popular science books or documentaries:
– Hidden Figures
– An Inconvenient Truth
48-50. Evaluate media sources for credibility when reporting scientific findings.
Integrate these 50 bell ringers into your science curriculum to engage students right from the start of class, harnessing their curiosity and promoting an enthusiastic learning environment.
