This summer, you can have fun and learn new things with these great summer
experiments. Easy to do, they require few ingredients and can be made
by the students themselves. Remember that big parts of science are chemistry
and experimentation, so let them read and follow the instructions themselves.
Teach them how to measure and explain the chemical reactions that take
place during these simple, fun experiments.
Giant Bubbles
Bubbles are fun, but if you’ve ever experimented with blowing larger
soap bubbles, you know how difficult it can be. You can increase the resistance
of the bubbles so that you can make giant ones that last longer. Here
is a simple recipe for giant soap bubbles.
What you need:
- 6 cups water
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 2 cups regular strength dish soap
Mix together and use wire or string to great giant loops. Dip into the
soap solution and watch your amazing bubbles grow!
Fake Snot
Make yourself some wonderfully slimy goo that is great for playing with
or for scaring you parents.
What you need:
- ½ cup boiling water
- 3 teaspoons gelatin
- ¼ cup corn syrup
Place the boiling water in a bowl and add the gelatin. Let it soften for
a minute or two and then mix it with a fork until dissolved. Add the corn
syrup and stir again. As the mixture cools, add 1 tablespoon of water
at a time until the snot is the right consistency for you. You can add
food coloring if you want colored snot.
Build an electromagnet
Electromagnets are created with electricity. Use these simple household
items to create a magnet that is able to pick up paper clips and other
small metal objects.
What you need:
- Iron nail
- 3-foot length of thin, coated wire
- D battery
- Tape
Wrap the wire around the nail, leaving an inch of wire at either end. Remove
the plastic coating from both ends of the wire. Tape one end of the wire
to the bottom of the battery. Now touch the other side of the wire to
the top node of the battery and your magnet will be ready to go! You can
try picking up paper clips and other small metal objects with your battery.
The electromagnet uses lots of battery power, so disconnect the wire at
the top when you are not using the magnet.
Duck Call
Are you into bird watching? Get ducks to come on over to your neck of the
woods with this amazing duck call.
What you need:
Cut the straw in half. Now press down on one end until it is flat and looks
like a rectangle. Cut the corners off the rectangle so that the straw
now comes to two points at the end. Put the pointed side into your mouth and blow!
