chemistry
Ketchup Volcano!
Tweet Ketchup Volcano! ( A longer-lasting volcano with ‘Natural Orange-Red Nontoxic Lava’ !) The acetic acid in ketchup reacts with baking soda to produce an extra-special type of lava for a chemical volcano. This non-toxic volcano recipe is sure to please! You will need: Small container (we used an empty travel-size bottle.) Volcano (You can [...]
Water Molecules on the Move
Tweet This experiment is great for testing if hot water molecules really move faster than cold ones. Pour some water, drop in some food colouring and compare results. A simple classic experiment worth revisiting. What you’ll need: • A clear glass filled with hot water • A clear glass filled with cold water • Food [...]
Honeycomb Candy
Tweet This is an easy-to-make kitchen science confection that has an interesting texture caused by carbon dioxide bubbles getting trapped within the honeycomb. Ingredients 150 gms sugar 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons water 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda Greaseproof paper Oil, butter or non-stick cooking spray Instructions Coat a sheet of greaseproof paper using oil, butter, [...]
Experimenting With Naked Eggs or: Naked Eggs Part Two
Tweet If you made naked eggs in Naked Eggs Part One you can now experiment with them in Naked Eggs Part Two! Find out about osmosis – the movement of water across a membrane. You will need: at least 2 naked eggs, containers large enough to hold a single egg and some liquid (coffee mugs [...]
Naked Eggs (Part One)
Tweet A naked egg is an egg without a shell. Using vinegar, you can dissolve the eggshell—without breaking the membrane that contains the egg. You will need: a few eggs white vinegar a container big enough to hold all your eggs and a cover for the container a big spoon Instructions: Here’s how you [...]
Mutant Marshmallows
Tweet In the microwave, an ordinary marshmallow will puff up until it’s enormous! You Will Need: marshmallows paper plates or paper towels microwave oven toothpicks (if you want) food colouring (if you want)…and adult supervision. Instructions Put two marshmallows on a paper plate or paper towel. Put the plate in the microwave. Set the timer [...]
Sudsy Lemon Science
Tweet Here’s a fun activity with a dash of ‘science magic’ that children can perform with your help, using basic materials found in the kitchen. You will need: Empty plastic cups Fresh lemons, sliced into quarters 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons washing up liquid Measuring spoon Plastic spoon or straw for stirring Wet and [...]
Rainbow in a Jar
Tweet Another one that could hardly be simpler, but is also very good science and in this particular version makes a display of wonderful colours. You will need: Blue washing up liquid Corn Syrup Blue and Red food colouring Olive Oil Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol – available from the chemist) Plus… a spoon measuring cup [...]
Sharpie Tie Dye
Tweet Let’s do some tie dye…except you don’t have to tie anything! Normal tie dye can be messy and time-consuming. You can get a really cool effect using coloured Sharpie pens on a t-shirt. This is a fun project that even young children can try. You’ll get wearable art and may learn something about diffusion [...]
Racing Lolly Sticks
Tweet How do you make a lolly stick race across water? Would you believe me if I told you all you needed was a drop of washing up liquid? You will need: Water and a large container – we used our water table, but you could even do it in the bath. Washing up liquid [...]