Calling All Curious Kids: Unlock the Secrets of Science with Fun Experiments!

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 Calling All Curious Kids: Unlock the Secrets of Science with Fun Experiments!

(Author: Vaishali, ABACulUS tutor)

Ever wonder how light travels or why some things float while others sink? Science is full of amazing discoveries waiting to be explored, and guess what? You can be a scientist too! This article is your launch-pad into a world of wonder with 10 easy-to-do experiments you can try at home.

Get ready to mix colors, build a light catcher, and even reveal the power of air! So grab your grown-up partner, put on your thinking cap, and get ready for some awesome science adventures!

List of experiment activities:

1. Photosynthesis
2. Oxygen for burning 
3. Level of oxygen in air
4. Floating & Sinking / Density
5. Bird in cage
6. Color disc / Newton's Disc
7. Volume of an object
8. Conduct of heat
9. Color chromatography (Water, Ethanol)
10. Presence of air / glass-paper experiment 
11. Light Travel Straight! 

Explanation with a step-by-step workflow

1. Photosynthesis:

Materials: Small potted plant, clear plastic bag, baking soda, teaspoon, tape

Workflow:

•   Place the plant in a clear plastic bag.
•   Using the teaspoon, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda onto the inside of the bag.
•   Seal the bag closed with tape and place it in a sunny spot for a few hours.
•   Observe the inside of the bag. Tiny water droplets should form.

Explanation: Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. The baking soda reacts with the oxygen produced by the plant, forming the water droplets you see.

2. Oxygen for Burning:

Materials: Candle, jar, matches

Workflow:

•   Light the candle and place it inside the jar.
•   Observe the flame for a while.
•   Carefully place the lid on the jar and observe the flame again.

Explanation: Fire needs oxygen to burn. When the jar is covered, the candle uses up the available oxygen in the jar, causing the flame to die out.

3. Level of Oxygen in the Air:

Materials: Two identical balloons, baking soda, vinegar, funnel, empty soda bottle

Workflow:

•  Put a teaspoon of baking soda into each balloon.
•   Using the funnel, carefully pour some vinegar into one balloon. (Be careful! This might fizz!)
•   Tie both balloons closed.
•   Attach the balloons to the empty soda bottle (one on each side).
•   Observe which balloon inflates more.

Explanation: The vinegar reacts with the baking soda, releasing carbon dioxide. This gas fills up the balloon in which the reaction takes place. Air contains oxygen, which is lighter than carbon dioxide. So, the balloon filled with air will rise higher or appear bigger.

4. Floating & Sinking / Density:

Materials: Bowl of water, various objects like a plastic spoon, marble, ping pong ball, and a nut

Workflow:

•   Fill the bowl with water.
•   Place each object carefully into the water one by one.
•   Observe if the object floats or sinks.

Explanation: Objects that are denser than water (heavier) will sink, while those less dense (lighter) will float. The nut and marble are denser than water and will sink, while the spoon and ping pong ball are less dense and will float.

5. Bird in a Cage (Visual Illusion):

Materials: Two pencils and a sheet of paper with a drawing of a birdcage (without a bird)

Workflow:

•   Interlace the fingers of your two hands to form a cage-like shape.
•   Hold the pencils horizontally, one in each hand, behind the drawing of the birdcage.
•   Quickly move the pencils back and forth.

Explanation: This is a persistence of vision illusion. Our eyes retain an image for a fraction of a second after we see it. The rapid movement of the pencils creates the illusion of a bird inside the cage.

6. Color Disc / Newton's Disc:

Materials: Cardboard, scissors, markers/crayons (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet), tape, pushpin

Workflow:

• Cut out a circle from the cardboard.
• Divide the circle into sections and color each section with a different color of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).
• In the center of the disc, make a small hole.
• Push a pin through the hole and attach the disc to a piece of cardboard or a table so it can spin.
• Spin the disc rapidly.

Explanation: When spun quickly, the different colors blur together, creating the illusion of white light. This demonstrates how white light is made up of a spectrum of colors.

7. Volume of an Object:

Materials: Two containers of different shapes (one transparent, like a measuring cup, and one opaque), water, small objects like marbles or pebbles

Workflow:

• Fill the transparent container with water to a specific level (e.g., halfway).
• Note the water level.
• Carefully place a few marbles or pebbles into the water. Observe the water level rise.
• Pour the water from the transparent container into the opaque container.

Explanation: The volume of the marbles/pe

8. Conduct of Heat:

Materials: Two metal spoons, two bowls, hot water, cold water

Workflow:

• Fill one bowl with hot water and the other with cold water.
• Dip the handle of one spoon in the hot water and the handle of the other spoon in the cold water.
• After a minute, carefully touch the metal part (bowl) of each spoon.

Explanation: Metals are good conductors of heat. The hot water transfers heat to the metal spoon handle quickly, making the bowl of that spoon feel warm. The cold water doesn't transfer heat as quickly, so the bowl of the spoon in the cold water will feel cooler.

9. Color Chromatography (Water, Ethanol):

Materials: Coffee filter paper, cup or glass, marker (black or dark colored), water, rubbing alcohol (ethanol)

Workflow:

• Draw a thick line near the bottom of the coffee filter paper using the marker.
• Fold the filter paper in half lengthwise a few times to create a long, pointed tip.
• Fill the cup/glass with a shallow layer of water (just enough to cover the bottom).
• Carefully place the tip of the filter paper into the water, making sure the marker line doesn't touch the water.
• Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol on top of the marker line.

Explanation: The rubbing alcohol acts as a solvent, dissolving the colors in the marker ink. As the alcohol travels up the filter paper carrying the dissolved ink, the different colors separate due to their varying rates of travel. This separation demonstrates the principle of chromatography, a technique used to separate mixtures. 

Explanation: Think of the marker ink as a bunch of friends of different sizes. The rubbing alcohol acts like a slide. When you add it, it carries the ink friends up the filter paper. But the bigger friends move slower, while the smaller ones zoom up faster. This separation is why you see different colors appear as the ink travels – a cool trick to see how things can be mixed and separated!

Important Note: Rubbing alcohol can be irritating. Adult supervision is recommended for this experiment.

10. Presence of Air (Glass-Paper Experiment):

Materials: Two identical glasses, hand pump (optional), small piece of paper, table

Workflow (Without Pump):

• Crumple the piece of paper into a small ball.
• Place the paper ball on a flat surface like the table.
• Hold one glass upside down over the paper ball.
• Slide the other glass on top of the first glass to trap the paper ball inside.
• Carefully lift the combined glasses together, keeping them upright.

Workflow (With Pump):

• Follow steps 1-3 from the workflow without a pump.
• Use the hand pump to remove some air from inside the combined glasses.

Explanation: In both methods, the paper ball should stay put when you lift the glasses because the air inside the glasses pushes up on the paper. If you use the pump to remove some air, the paper ball may fall down because there's less air pressure to hold it up. This experiment demonstrates the presence and pressure of air.

Safety Note: Be sure adult supervision is present when using rubbing alcohol or other potentially harmful materials.

11. Light Travel Straight!

Have you ever wondered how you can see the sun or a light bulb even though they're not touching your eyes? It's because light travels in a straight line! Here's a fun experiment to prove it:

Materials: Cardboard box, Black construction paper, Flashlight (or laser pointer), Scissors, Tape,

Workflow

• Cut the Box: Cut one end of the cardboard box completely off to create a large opening. This will be the front of your light catcher.
• Make it Dark Inside: Cover the inside of the box with black construction paper. This helps block out any stray light, making it easier to see the light beam later.
• Poke a Hole: On one side of the box, use scissors or a hole punch to make a small hole near the bottom. This will be the entrance for your light beam.
• Light it Up! Turn off the lights in the room and close the box except for the front opening. Shine the flashlight or laser pointer through the hole you made.
• See the Beam! Look inside the box. Do you see a straight line of light coming from the hole to the back of the box? That's the light beam traveling in a straight path!

Explanation:

Imagine the light from your flashlight or laser pointer like tiny arrows shooting out in all directions. Because the box is closed and dark inside, you can't see most of these arrows. But when the light shines through the hole, it can only travel in a straight line because the sides of the box block it from going anywhere else.  This straight line of light you see inside the box is like a highway for light, showing us how it travels!

Bonus Challenge:

·         Try making the hole of different sizes. Does the size of the hole affect the width of the light beam you see inside?

·         Can you use mirrors inside the box to bend the path of light? Experiment with different mirror placements to see how the light beam changes direction.

Safety and Care Points for Fun Science Experiments:

·         Here are some important safety and care points to remember when doing these science experiments with your kids:

 

General Safety:

1)      Adult Supervision: Always have an adult present to supervise the experiments, especially when using materials like scissors, hot water, or rubbing alcohol.

2)      Clear Work Area: Choose a clean, flat workspace with plenty of room to move around.

3)      Sharp Objects: Be careful with sharp objects like scissors and pushpins. Adults should handle cutting and puncturing tasks.

4)      Hot and Cold: Warn children about hot and cold items like water or metal spoons. Adults should handle these materials first to check temperatures.

5)      Food and Drinks: Keep food and drinks away from the experiment area to avoid spills and contamination.

6)      Cleaning Up: Clean up spills and materials promptly after finishing the experiment. Wash hands thoroughly afterwards.

Specific Care Points for Each Experiment:

1)      Light Catcher: Use a flashlight instead of a laser pointer to avoid eye strain.

2)      Oxygen for Burning: Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish it with a snuffer or by carefully covering it with a metal lid when finished.

3)      Bird in a Cage: No pointy objects should be used to create the "cage" to avoid accidental pokes.

4)      Color Disc: Ensure the cardboard disc is securely attached to the pin to prevent wobbling or detachment during spinning.

5)      Volume of an Object: Use smooth pebbles or marbles to avoid cuts. Adult supervision is important when pouring water.

6)      Conduct of Heat: Use caution with hot water. Adults should pre-heat the water and test its temperature before letting kids touch it.

7)      Color Chromatography: Rubbing alcohol is flammable. Keep it away from heat sources and open flames. Adult supervision is important when using rubbing alcohol.

8)      Presence of Air: If using a hand pump, ensure it's suitable for children and operate it slowly to avoid forceful air blasts.

Additional Tips:

1)      Age-appropriateness: Choose experiments that are suitable for your child's age and skill level.

2)      Clear Instructions: Explain the experiment steps clearly and simply before starting.

3)      Fun and Learning: Focus on the fun and learning aspect of the experiments. Encourage curiosity and exploration.

4)      Positive Reinforcement: Praise your child's efforts and participation in the experiments.

Reference

ü  विज्ञान प्रयोगशाळा - प्रकाश (Vigyan Prayogshala - Prakash) - Marathi website with science experiments (https://vigyanprasar.gov.in/) Oxygen for Burning | जळण्यासाठी ऑक्सिजन आवश्यक! (Jalnyasathi ऑक्सिजन aavashyak!) | जलने के लिए ऑक्सीजन ज़रूरी है! (Jalane ke liye oxygen jaruri hai!) |

ü  विज्ञान दोस्त - दहन क्रिया (Vigyan Dost - Dahan Kriya) - Hindi website with information on combustion (https://vigyanprasar.gov.in/) Level of Oxygen in the Air | हवेमध्ये ऑक्सिजनचे प्रमाण (Havemadhye oxygenche praman) | हवा में ऑक्सीजन की मात्रा (Hawa mein oxygen ki matra) |

ü  चेतना - विज्ञान (Chetna - Vigyan) - Marathi magazine with science articles (https://chetanaeducation.com/) (Hindi equivalent might be "Bal Bharat" magazine) Floating & Sinking / Density | तरंगणे आणि बुडणे / घनता (Tarangane aaani budane / Ghanta) | तैरना और डूबना / घनत्व (Tairna aur dubna / Ghanatv) |

ü  विज्ञान मित्र - वस्तुंचे घनत्व (Vigyan Mitra - Vastunche Ghanatv) - Marathi website with information on density (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BFK4ioRV9VQ) Bird in a Cage (Visual Illusion) | पंजाऱ्यातील पक्षी (Panjaryatil pakshi) (Visual Illusion - दृष्टभ्रम (Drushtibhram)) | पिंजरे में पक्षी (Pinjre mein pakshi) (दृष्टि भ्रम (Drishti Bhram)) |

ü  विज्ञान कथा - विज्ञान आणि जादू (Vigyan Katha - Vigyan aaani Jadu) - Marathi magazine with science and magic tricks (https://www.loksatta.com/thane/dombivali-student-presented-project-on-health-issues-in-science-exhibition-1602932/) (Hindi equivalent might be "Nanhe Pathik" magazine) Color Disc / Newton's Disc | रंगीत चक्र / न्यूटनचे चक्र (Rangit chakra / Nyutnache chakra) | रंगीन चक्र / न्यूटन का चक्र (Rangin chakra / Nyuton ka chakra) |

ü  विज्ञान भारती - प्रकाशाचे वर्णपट (Vigyan Bharati - प्रकाशाche वर्णपट (Prakashache Varnapat)) - Hindi website with information on light spectrum (https://vigyanprasar.gov.in/) Volume of an Object | वस्तूचा आकारमान (Vastucha aakaarman) | वस्तु का आयतन (Vastu ka aayatan) |

ü  विज्ञान ज्योत - वस्तुंचे माप (Vigyan Jyoti - Vastunche Maap) - Marathi website with information on measurement (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-Phcql7h7BA) Conduct of Heat | उष्णतेचे चालन (Ushnateche chaln) | ऊष्मा का चालन (Ushma ka chaln) |

ü  विज्ञान मित्र - उष्णतेचे संवहन (Vigyan Mitra - Ushnateche Sanvahan) - Marathi website with information on heat transfer ([invalid URL removed]) Color Chromatography (Water, Ethanol) | रंगछेदन (Rangchedan) | वर्णलेखी (Varnalekhi) |

ü  विज्ञान परिषद - वर्ण (Vigyan Parishad - Varna) - Hindi website with information on color (https://vigyanprasar.gov.in/) Presence of Air / Glass-Paper Experiment | हवेची उपस्थिती (Havechi upsthiti) | हवा की उपस्थिति (Hawa ki upsthiti) |