Newton
Wintry Science
Tweet Wintry Science Here’s a seasonally related temperature experiment exploring what happens when we freeze oil & water You will need: a clear plastic container, water, cooking oil food colouring (optional), use of a freezer. Instructions 1. Pour some water into the clear plastic container. You can add some blue or green food colouring [...]
Blue Sky – Red Sunset
Tweet Whenever it’s not completely filled with clouds, we can see that the sky is blue. As our world turns the sun rises and sets, and as it sets it looks red. These two observations are related. You will need: A torch a transparent container with flat parallel sides (a 10-litre [2½- gallon] aquarium is [...]
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 [...]
Feeling Centred!
Tweet Investigating Centre of Gravity You will need: A broom That’s it! However you could use the following optional extras if you have them: metre rule, golf club, baseball bat, hockey stick etc. Instructions 1. Spread your hands as far apart as you can along the broom. 2. Pick up the broom using only [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Spiral Sensation
Tweet If your children are curious about how the weather works, or even if you just want to talk about how warm air rises, this experiment is a great place to start. This easy-to-create demonstration shows how upward movement of warm air creates wind. You Will Need: Paper Pencil Drawing Pin Scissors Thread Clothes hanger [...]