As long as there is a bit of the science behind it that the children can understand then that's fine - otherwise all you could end up doing is melting ice cubes or something!
It's National Science & Engineering Week in March, and the local school is partaking in it once again - so I've offered to go in and run one or two experiments for some (or all - eeks!) of the classes. I've raided my trusty 'How to Fossilise Your Hamster' book and come up with some potential routines, but elsewhere doesn't seem to be coming up with the goods...
Basically if there's some kind of explosion or pretty colours involved I think it will catch their attention! My current favourites include the cola & Mentos bottle, a vinegar & baking soda bag bomb and the mind-bending effects of synaesthesia.
Obviously we can't be going completely mad; I'll have to source the apparatus after all! I just need something fun, repeatable, good value and exciting. Not asking for much, surely?
Any ideas PLEASE feel free to comment with details of possible experiments. Thanks!
burning money (douse in ethanol then set alight - test on some paper to get quantities correct first!)
ReplyDeleteelephant toothpaste (think it's potassium iodide crystals + hysdrogen peroxide + washing up liquid in a measuring cylinder - check it out on youtube - check your container carefully as it really affects the results) if you want to link it to biology you could then show what liver does to H2O2 plus demo the oxygen test with the bubbles produced
ummmmmm bouncy custard? flame tests - a range of similar white crystals all causing different colours - link to fireworks?
long time since i taught any chemistry (ok 3 years!) good luck :) great to hear you're getting thoroughly stuck in debbie