Hi Friends!
We've got a few more weeks worth of grab-n-go Spark Bags to share from the Hampton Community Library.
Each week, we have an activity prepared to *spark* curiosity. Explore physics, chemistry, art, music, yoga & more, then share what you created on the library Facebook or Instagram. This week we explore chemistry, practice following a recipe & sharpen our observation skills.
Just Imagine...you are a student in Professor Snape's Potions class. See if you can accomplish these tasks without help from Hermione or the Half Blood Prince!
(Apologies to those of you who haven't been bitten by the Harry Potter Bug.)
Task 1: Select a recipe to follow and "grow" crystals with table salt or sugar:
-make a saturated solution (this means dissolve as much solid into the water as possible)
-allow the water to eveporate
-observe the remaining solids form crystals
Ask a grown up to help you find a recipe that uses simple ingredients; there's a couple good ones here at ScienceNotes.org.
Task 2: Discover what pigments might be hiding in black marker ink. Use a coffee filter & the cool process of Chromatography.
Check out the ALSC blog for some wonderful ideas for more chemistry experiments to do with preschoolers.
Yes, dears, the world is full of wonderful stuff to think about including: the Periodic Table of the Elements and: Incredible Chemical Reactions
“Mathematics is the cheapest science. Unlike physics or chemistry, it does not require any expensive equipment. All one needs for mathematics is a pencil and paper.”― Polya George
My absolute favorite chemistry project is making cake. How about we try Whopper Cake by Karma Wilson and Will Hillenbrand. Yum!
Well, I wouldn't feel right sending you off into experiment-ing land without first reminding all of our little friends out there: always ask a grownup to help! It can be fun exploring & mixing & making on your own, but it is much safer to let adults boil water or read ingredients (and guess what? they enjoy working & playing with you! One more super-duper important thing:
"Do you know who Mr. Yuk is? We hope so! He's a very good friend who reminds you that some things you might find in your house, school, or other places could make you very sick. How does he do his job? Well, when you eat something bad, have you ever made a face like Mr. Yuk's? If so, then you can see why his "yukky" face will remind you to be careful not to touch, eat, or drink things that will make you sick! You might want to learn it so you don't forget what his picture means to you and your good health."
Toodleloo, kangaroos!