Looking for ways to bring healthcare-inspired science to life right at home? Our team at Little Medical School® of the Treasure Coast has curated five unique, hands-on activities that connect fun experiments with real-world medical and STEM learning. From bug investigations to baby brain models, these easy activities use simple materials and spark curiosity about science, medicine, and the world around us.
1. Bug Activity: Mini Mosquito Lab & Disease Transmission Model
Theme: Insects, Public Health, Vector-borne Diseases
Materials
-
Clear plastic container (e.g., sandwich box)
-
Two types of toothpicks (plain and colored)
-
Small cup lid or sponge (for “blood source”)
-
Red food coloring
-
Timer
-
Gloves (optional)
-
Notebook + pencil
Instructions
-
Soak the sponge in water mixed with a few drops of red food coloring to represent a “blood supply.”
-
Scatter toothpicks inside the container: plain = neutral insects, colored = “mosquitoes.”
-
Start a two-minute timer. Each time a “mosquito” touches the sponge, mark a “bite” in the notebook.
-
Count total “bites.” Repeat after removing half the “mosquitoes” to simulate prevention.
-
Discuss: “What can humans do to stop real mosquitoes from spreading disease?”
Learning Links
Why It’s Great
Kids model how diseases spread and discover why public-health work matters. It connects observation, data collection, and problem-solving. All essential healthcare skills!
2. Ocean Activity: Coral Reef Rescue & Ocean Acidification Model
Theme: Marine Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Health
Materials
-
Two clear jars or tall glasses
-
Chalk or seashell pieces (coral stand-ins)
-
Water
-
White vinegar
-
Straw or pipette
-
Blue food coloring
-
Toy fish (optional)
Instructions
-
Fill both jars halfway with water and add blue coloring.
-
Drop a shell into each.
-
Pour vinegar into one jar (acidic ocean). Watch the bubbles, that’s “coral bleaching.”
-
Blow gently through a straw to add more CO2.
-
Compare: Which coral looks healthier? What might this mean for marine life and humans?
Learning Links
Why It’s Great
Kids visualize ocean chemistry, environmental health, and how our planet’s well-being connects to human health and medicine.
3. Heart Activity: Beating Heart Model
Theme: Human Anatomy, Circulatory System, Physiology
Materials
-
Balloon
-
Plastic tubing (clear)
-
Tape
-
Syringe or hand pump (optional)
-
Notebook + pencil
Instructions
-
Inflate the balloon slightly and tie it off, this is the “heart.”
-
Tape a piece of tubing to the neck to act as a “blood vessel.”
-
Pump air in and out or squeeze the balloon. Watch it expand and contract like a heartbeat!
-
Observe: What happens when you squeeze harder or slower?
-
Label a quick sketch: heart, vessels, flow, valves.
Learning Links
Why It’s Great
Children learn how the heart pumps blood, reinforcing anatomy and physiology in a fun, visual way, a true Little Medical School® classic.
4. Forensics Activity: Blood-Spatter Pattern Investigation Lab
Theme: Forensic Science, Physics, Critical Thinking
Materials
-
White poster paper
-
Red washable paint or food-colored water
-
Dropper or syringe
-
Ruler or measuring tape
-
Notebook + pencil
Instructions
-
Drop red paint from different heights (1 ft, 2 ft, 3 ft).
-
Measure each droplet’s diameter and note shape.
-
Observe: taller drops = larger splatter radius.
-
Ask: “What could this tell investigators about where blood came from?”
-
Connect to careers: forensic pathologists and crime-scene analysts use similar data to study injuries.
Learning Links
Why It’s Great
Kids use observation, measurement, and logic to uncover the story behind the science, reinforcing how analytical skills apply to healthcare and lab sciences.
5. Babies Activity: Baby Brain Growth & Neural Pathway Mapping
Theme: Neuroscience, Child Development, Pediatrics
Materials
-
Play-dough (two colors)
-
Yarn or string (for pathways)
-
Poster board or paper
-
Markers
-
Scissors
-
Tape
Instructions
-
Draw a simple brain outline.
-
Use play-dough to model hemispheres and brainstem.
-
Connect regions with yarn “pathways.”
-
Label each connection (speech, movement, emotion).
-
Discuss: “Why does the baby’s brain grow so fast? What happens when pathways form new skills?”
Learning Links
Why It’s Great
Kids get a tactile understanding of how the brain grows and controls development, so it’s a great gentle introduction to pediatric medicine and neuroscience.
Bringing It All Together
We hope you have fun with these five at-home science projects, covering bugs, the ocean, the heart, forensics, and babies. Capture the essence of Little Medical School® of the Treasure Coast by learning through play, imagination, and real-world healthcare connection.
Encourage your child to keep a science journal of their favorite projects, take photos of their experiments, and talk about what they learned. You’ll not only nurture their curiosity but help inspire the next generation of healthcare heroes.
Get Involved with Little Medical School® of the Treasure Coast
Are you passionate about inspiring the next generation of healthcare heroes? We’re expanding our impact across South Florida to bring hands-on health and STEM education to life.
-
School Partnerships: Interested in bringing our after-school clubs or enrichment programs to your campus? Let’s chat to create engaging, standards-aligned experiences for your students. Get in touch.
- Sponsorship & Collaboration: Do you an idea for collaboration or want to support our work? Since 2023, Little Medical School® of the Treasure Coast has empowered over 3,200 students across South Florida through hands-on healthcare education. Get in touch.
-
Instructor Positions: We’re seeking pre-med, pre-health, and pre-education university students who want real leadership experience teaching future doctors through play. Apply here.
-
Volunteer Opportunities: Join our volunteer team and gain valuable experience in healthcare outreach, youth mentorship, and community health education. Apply here.
-
Share Your Moments: We love seeing our students in action! Tag us in your photos or posts from our programs on social media.