An Unusual Presidents Day Science Activity

When we think about President Day science activities, we often picture lab experiments, microscopes, data tables, and hands-on investigations. Those experiences are important, but they’re only one side of how science works in the real world.

This President’s Day science activity is a bit unusual and invites middle and high school students to step into a role they don’t usually get to explore: the decision-making side of science.

In real life, scientific research doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Projects don’t authomatically move forward just because they’re interesting or important. They move forward because someone decides to fund them.

With the election of new leaders, either locally, state-wide, or in a presidential election, projects are reviewed and budgets are set. This includes science-related projects and budgets.

What’s Included in the Free President’s Day Science Activity Printable?

In this simulation, students take on the role of science decision-makers in a new administration following a presidential election. With a limited budget, they must decide which scientific research projects receive funding.

This activity emphasizes:

Evidence-based reasoning
Trade-offs and systems thinking
Real-world applications of science

Students are given a budget and must allocate funds across multiple science projects. They may fully fund, partially fund, or choose not to fund projects.

The free worksheet packet that accompanies this President’s Day science activity includes:

Project cards
Evidence cards that provide more information about the project and its importance and impact
Event cards that are “uh-oh” events that pop up and may alter how students budge their money.
A budgeting worksheet

How to Run the Simulation

Print and cut out all cards – project, evidence, and event cards.
Read the instructions to the students.
Introduce the concept of limited resources.
Give students the budget sheet and project cards.
Allow students to read evidence cards.
Have students allocate funds.
Have the students draw 1–2 event cards and revise their decisions.
Discuss how they allocated the funds based on the events.
Then, have your students complete the reflection pages.

Facilitation Tips:

Encourage discussion.
Ask students to explain reasoning.
There are no right or wrong answers.

We have included timings for each step of this activity, you may find that you need more time, break this activity up into two sessions or assign homework to come back the next day with reasons for the funding allocation. This is a very flexible activity, so please adapt it to fit your situation and student(s).

We recommend this President’s Day science activity for middle and high school students. It’s a totally unique way to help teens think about real-world science situations. Plus, the budgeting and discussion are excellent exercises in preparation for future employment. They just may end up in a job where they do have to create a budget or present a proposal for funding of a project.

Request the Free Printable

I hold a master’s degree in child development and early education and am working on a post-baccalaureate in biology. I spent 15 years working for a biotechnology company developing IT systems in DNA testing laboratories across the US. I taught K4 in a private school, homeschooled my children, and have taught on the mission field in southern Asia. For 4 years, I served on our state’s FIRST Lego League tournament Board and served as the Judging Director. I own thehomeschoolscientist and also write a regular science column for Homeschooling Today Magazine. You’ll also find my writings on the CTCMath blog. Through this site, I have authored over 50 math and science resources.