This handout was shared by Dr. Ann Epstein at the 2013 IMC conference.
See also her Power Point of the same title.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Materials: mixing bowl, large metal or plastic spoon for mixing, 1 cup measuring cup, I Tablespoon measuring spoon, box of baking soda, white vinegar (optional: food coloring)
Process
o Measure 1 cup of baking soda into mixing bowl
o Measure 1 T baking soda
o Mix slowly and carefully, add vinegar by tablespoons until reaction occurs
o Encourage children to discuss how the bubbles are formed (gas is released when baking soda and vinegar are mixed)
Inquiry-based skills: observation, prediction
Dawn Dish Detergent and Whole Milk
Materials: small dish for mixing, q-tips, food coloring, small container with approximately half a cup of Dawn dish detergent, small pitcher of whole milk
Process
o Pour about ¼ cup of whole milk into small dish
o Add several drops of food coloring into dish (can be different colors)
o Dip q-tip into Dawn
o Gently lower q-tip to surface of milk and food coloring
o Encourage children to guess why swirls occur (detergent ”attacks” fat /grease in milk)
o Note: Can also use as an art activity to mix colors and create impressionistic swirls similar to Van Gogh’s (Starry Night)
Inquiry-based skills: observation, prediction
Black Pepper and Bar Soap
Materials: flat pan or plate with raised edges (glass pie plate works well), bar of soap (?hard? soap such as Dial works better than softer soap such as Ivory), pepper in shaker or original container, water
Process
o Pour about 2 cups of water into pan or plate
o Sprinkle pepper across entire surface
o Gently touch edge of bar of soap to surface
o Encourage children to guess why pepper quickly disperses (surface tension of water has been broken by soap)
o Repeating encourage children to guess why pepper does not move again (surface tension has already been broken, so won’t ?hold? pepper in place)
Inquiry-based skills: observation, prediction, comparing/contrasting with second attempt
Oobleck: Corn Starch and Water
Materials: large mixing bowl (glass works well so children can easily see through), large box of corn starch, pitcher of water, newspaper to cover table surface (or tray large enough for bowl), wooden mixing spoon
Process
o Pour about 1½ cups of corn starch into the bowl.
o Slowly pour water in, stirring as you pour.
o You may need to tweak these amounts. Your goal is a honey-like consistency.
o Gather a small amount into the palm of your hand. It should form a very soft ball.
o Clench your fist. As you do this, the mixture will turn to liquid and drip through your fingers
o Encourage children to discuss the transitions from liquid to solid and back to liquid. Why does this occur? Surface tension is again at work to hold particles in place. Pressure disturbs the surface tension, turning the solid form into liquid.
Inquiry-based skills: observation, prediction
Check out an amazing video at the end of this Oobleck description. Participants walk and run across, and then ink into a pool of Oobleck! http://sciencecafe.org/content/2008/12/22/how-to-make-oobleck/ (Participants are great fun to watch but we need our Spanish speakers to translate for us!)
Additional Kindergarten-age Science Activities
Simple circuits: large battery, wire, alligator clips, small light bulb with holder.
Sink and float
Magnetic and non-magnetic
Color mixing with shaving cream
Sprouting seeds: lima bean work well because they are large and will sprout in individual sandwich baggies with a ½ sheet of paper towel and a little water
How plants drink: stand celery stalk (with fresh cut at bottom) in colored water (red works well) for 2 ? 3 days, watch water creep up celery veins
Wind experiments
Bubble experiments
