food
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 [...]
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 [...]
Scientific Slushy!
Tweet Cool off and amaze your friends by making any soft drink or soda turn into a slushy on command. Here’s how to do this fun and refreshing supercooled science project. You will need: A soft drink A freezer Any soda or soft drink works for this. The slushy project works especially well with 16-oz [...]
What A Pickle!
Tweet Turn a gherkin into a battery! You will need: a gherkin (aka dill pickle) a pencil aluminium foil (unused) a small knife (eg penknife) 2 alligator-clip leads a piezo buzzer 12V (small 12V buzzer) Try Maplins or a similar supplier Instructions 1. Fold a sheet of foil several times to make a thick [...]
DNA Detective
Tweet See your own DNA You Will Need Water A squirt of washing up liquid 1/2 a tsp of salt 1 tsp of ice cold ethanol methylated spirits or rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) Two cups A clear container with a lid Instructions Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in half a cup of water. Add a [...]