Gravity
Diving Ketchup!
Tweet There are many variations on this effect – we’ve covered the concept before. However this has to be the simplest to do with the best explanation. Place a ketchup packet in a bottle of water and make it rise and fall at your command, as if by magic. Of course, the magic involves some [...]
Suspended Bottle
Tweet This is another of those experiments that look like magic – but are really science of course. You will need: Coke bottle or any other plastic screw top bottle Uncooked Rice A pencil or chopstick or any other straight rod Instructions 1. Fill the bottle with uncooked rice. 2. Plunge the pencil straight [...]
The Super-Bounce!
Tweet Energy is constantly changing forms and transferring between objects. Try seeing for yourself how this works. Use two balls to transfer kinetic (or moving) energy from a big ball to a smaller one and see what happens. To revisit this classic science experiment you will need: A large, heavy ball such as a basketball [...]
Balancing Stick
Tweet Does it matter which end is up? You will need: One 1/2 in (1.25 cm) wooden dowel approximately 3 feet (90 cm) long A lump of clay Instructions: Place a lump of clay about the size of your fist 8 inches (20 cm) from the end of the dowel. Experiment One Balance [...]
Hot Air Balloon
Tweet Make your own hot air balloon. There is something very cool about things that fly – this homemade hot air balloon is no exception. Suitable for children aged 8+ with adult supervision You Will Need: Plastic refuse bag Hair dryer Duck / Gaffa tape (or a plastic packing strip) Safety note: This experiment should [...]
Travelling Nutrients
Tweet Water is often called the Universal Solvent because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid, often carrying these dissolved particles with it. When water travels through soil, nutrients (food) and dissolved particles travel with the water to be deposited somewhere else. Here is an experiment to visually demonstrate how this process happens. [...]
Magic Jumping Coin
Tweet This is a ‘magic’ Heat-Science Experiment! What happens to air when you heat it up? You will need: Bowl of cold water Coin (bigger than the bottle opening) Glass Coke Bottle (with a small opening/mouth) Instructions 1. Fill a bowl with some cold water. 2. Place the bottle neck and coin in the [...]
Antibubbles!
Tweet Antibubbles are globules of liquid that are surrounded by a thin film of gas. They are a common occurrence, but you may not have noticed them. You will need: Soap Water Sugar Drinking glass Drinking straw. There are a couple of ways you can make and observe antibubbles yourself. One method is to [...]
“Can” You Balance?
Tweet Do the impossible – balance a can on its bottom rim and amaze yourself and your friends. This interesting effect can be presented in the form of a ‘science magic’ trick as below, or as a class demonstration or experiment. You Will Need: •Two empty 375ml fizzy drink cans •100mls of water approx [...]
Dynamic Darts
Tweet A good one for under 5’s (and upwards…) There is a lot of aerodynamics in throwing the javelin… Needless to say, we cannot throw javelins with 4yr olds so try making these little shooters instead. You will need (per shooter): A straw Glue A rectangular piece of paper approx 2-3cm wide (enough to [...]