Room on the Broom Science & STEM Activities | 3 Experiments + Lesson Slides
Turn your October read-aloud into a hands-on science adventure with Broomstick Science! This companion for Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson combines story discussion with three investigations exploring chemical reactions, magnetism, and engineering.
Designed for grades 1–3, the resource includes a 26-page printable PDF and 32 editable PowerPoint slides to guide students from predicting and observing to testing, recording, and explaining their findings.
Three investigations included:
🧪 Witch’s Bubbling Brew
Observe what happens when baking soda and vinegar mix, then compare mixtures with and without dish soap to investigate foam.
👻 Magical Magnetic Flight
Use a magnet to lift a tethered paper ghost with an attached steel paperclip. Test different distances and discover how magnetic attraction can act through an air gap.
🧹 Build a Stronger Broom
Design a miniature craft-stick broom bridge, test how many counters it supports, and improve the design using evidence from the first test.
What’s inside the printable PDF:
Teacher lesson guide and suggested timing
Dedicated materials and safety guidelines page
Before-, during-, and after-reading discussion prompts
Student-friendly science vocabulary
Detailed investigation directions and setup diagrams
Prediction, observation, and recording sheets
Fair-comparison and distance-test activities
Original paper ghost templates
Engineering planning, testing, and redesign pages
Story-and-science reflection
Science check and answer guidance
The PowerPoint companion includes:
Read-aloud discussion prompts
Original watercolor illustrations and setup diagrams
Clear experiment directions
Prediction and observation prompts
Science explanations and reflection questions
Matching PDF page references
Teacher notes with additional guidance
Skills students practice:
Making predictions, observing changes, recording results, comparing conditions, testing designs, using evidence, and collaborating to solve problems.
Use the lessons across a week or select one investigation for a focused Halloween science activity. Younger students can draw or dictate responses; older students can write explanations supported by their observations.
Formats: 26-page PDF and 32-slide editable PowerPoint. The PowerPoint can also be imported into Google Slides.
Please note: Teachers need their own copy of Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. The book is not included. This independent companion contains original activities and artwork and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the book’s creators or publisher. All investigations require adult supervision.
Created by Live Oak Learning.
