Girlstart DeSTEMber 2012

Girlstart's DeSTEMber Collection: 2012

Table of Contents Crazy Crystals

Stomp Rockets Flight Path ChromaCandy S’mores-ometry Secret Message Disappearing Ink Freezing Point Spinning Bucket Tornado in a Bottle Snowflake Science Sink or Float?

Parachute Ready Edible Slime Water Bending Sweet Density Groovy Science Science or Magic?

Cooking Conversions Girlstart Flashlight Hot Air Balloon Liquid or Solid?

CO2 Balloon Suds Galore

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3 6 10 12 14 15 16 18 20 22 25 28 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 46 48 50

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Crazy Crystals Diamonds, gems, snowflakes, and borax?! Kick off deSTEMber by making beautiful crystal decorations for your home. Channel your inner crystallographer — a scientist who studies the forms and structures of crystals —and discover the unique, repeating patterns that borax crystals make.

TEKS: 3.5D Explore and recognize that a mixture is created when two materials are combined such as gravel and sand and metal and plastic paper clips.

5.5D Identify changes that can occur in the physical properties of the ingredients of solutions such as dissolving salt in water or adding lemon juice to water.

How To Materials: •

Borax detergent

•

Food coloring (optional)

•

Large jar

•

Pencil

•

Pipe cleaner

•

String

•

Water

1. Bend your pipe cleaner into a fun decorative shape.

2. Tie one end of your string to the top of your decoration and the other end to the middle of the pencil. So that your decoration will hang into the middle of the jar.

3. Mix your crystal solution by combining 3 tablespoons of Borax with 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until almost all of the Borax is dissolved. Add 1-2 drops of food coloring, if you’d like. * Ask an adult to help you boil water.

4. Carefully pour your crystal solution into your jar. Make sure you have enough solution to cover your decoration. * Make sure your jar is heat safe.

5. Submerge your decoration in the solution with the pencil resting on the top of the jar. You do not want the decoration to touch the bottom of the jar, but rest in the middle.

6. Leave the decoration in place overnight. In the morning, you’ll have a beautiful holiday crystal!

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2

Crazy Crystals Why Does it Work?

A crystal forms in repeating patterns based on its unique shape. Crystals are believed to form in seven different shapes or systems: monoclinic, cubic, triclinic, orthorhombic, hexagonal, tetragonal, and trigonal. Diamonds are a well-known example of the cubic system and rubies are in the hexagonal system. Materials can crystallize into different patterns under different conditions. For example, carbon can form either hard crystals or graphite, depending on the conditions.

Our crystals form because heat causes the water molecules to move farther apart and allow room for the borax to dissolve. When no more borax can be dissolved, the solution has reached its saturation point. As the saturated solution cools, the water molecules move back together, leaving less room for the dissolved borax molecules. The crystals form by building onto one another as the water evaporates, letting go of the excess borax. Because all the water molecules have the same shape, they align in a six-sided crystal as the water cools and the molecules move closer together.

Did you know crystals have value beyond just being pretty? Certain crystals, such as quartz, have a property called piezoelectricity. This means that if the crystal is cut in the proper way, it will create a tiny electrical charge on its edges when it is squeezed. A practical use of piezoelectricity is in microphones. Quartz crystals are mounted to detect the pressure waves from sound and turn them into electrical signals. Then, the electrical signals can be sent, recorded, or amplified and turned back into sound by a speaker.

The piezoelectric effect can be reversed so that the electrical charge is applied to the crystal and can be made to vibrate at a constant speed. This causes the electricity to pulse at the same frequency, resulting in a device called an oscillator. Oscillators are used in TV and radio transmitters and receivers.

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3

Stomp Rockets 3, 2, 1...Blast off! Engineer a stomp rocket with PVC pipe, plastic tubing, water bottle, and duct tape. Use your custom launcher to watch your rocket soar! Be creative has you decide how to most effectively launch your paper rocket across the room. Does changing the launch angle, stomp pressure, or rocket design help?

TEKS: K.6D Observe and describe the ways that objects can move such as in a straight line, zigzag, up and down, back and forth, round and round, and fast and slow.

1.6D Demonstrate and record the ways that objects can move such as in a straight line, zig zag, up and down, back and forth, round and round, and fast and slow.

2.6C Trace the changes in the position of an object over time such as a cup rolling on the floor and a car rolling down a ramp.

3.6B Demonstrate and observe how position and motion can be changed by pushing and pulling objects to show work being done such as swings, balls, pulleys, and wagons.

4.6D Design an experiment to test the effect of force on an object such as a push or a pull, gravity, friction, or magnetism.

5.6D Design an experiment that tests the effect of force on an object.

Materials: •

2 ft. PVC pipe 1/2” diameter

Launcher How To

•

3 ft. of plastic tubing 1/2” diameter

1. Stick about one inch of the plastic tubing into the empty water bottle opening.

•

1 empty water bottle

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Clear tape

•

Duct tape

2. Tape the tubing in place with duct tape so the connection between the tubing and the bottle is airtight. You should not feel air escaping when you press on the bottle.

•

Fun targets

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Index cards

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Markers or crayons

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Measuring tape

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Scissors

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White copy paper

© Girlstart 2012

3. Push the PVC pipe up against the other end of the flexible tubing and tape the tubing and the PVC pipe together. The tubing does not need to go into the pipe, but the holes in the pipe and tubing need to be aligned, and the ends should fit tightly together.

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Stomp Rockets Rocket How To 1. Roll the piece of paper around the PVC pipe to make a tube. The tube should be just wide enough so that it can slide off of the pipe. This is the body of the rocket.

2. Tape the paper tube together so that it will not unravel.

3. Slide the tube off of the pipe. If the tube is too tight, remove the tape and loosen the paper. Reapply the tape along the seam of the paper.

4. Press one end of the tube together. Fold down the two corners to make the rocket’s nose. Tape the nose down and shape as needed.

5. Now students will create fins for their rocket. This will increase rocket accuracy. First fold one corner of a note card toward the opposite side of the card.

6. Fold the top corner down to the opposite side of the card. The top of the note card should be shaped like a triangle.

7. Cut the triangle out and discard the left over note card.

8. Unfold the triangle one time. Cut along the crease to create two pieces.

9. Unfold each piece and cut along the creases to create 4 fins.

10. Tape each fin around the base of the rocket. You should consider how the placement of fins will affect the rocket’s flight.

11. You are now ready to place your rocket on the launcher. Don’t forget to decorate your rocket!

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5

Stomp Rockets Why Does It Work?

This launcher is able to move your rocket through the air because the force from your foot forces the air from the bottle to the rocket. The force of the air moving through the pipe will push the rocket forward causing the rocket to move. Depending how small or large you stomp on the bottle (air pump) can affect the rocket’s path. Engineers put fins on the back of the rocket in order to stabilize it. These fins are similar to the fins on the tail of an airplane.

The fins keep the rocket moving in the right direction.

Resources: http://www.howstuffworks.com/rocket.htm

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6

Flight Path It’s a Bird...It’s a Plane...It’s a Glider! Design a Styrofoam plate glider to soar through your house. Experiment with different elevons and rudder positions to see how it affects your flight path.

TEKS: K.6D Observe and describe the ways that objects can move such as in a straight line, zigzag, up and down, back and forth, round and round, and fast and slow 1.6D Demonstrate and record the ways that objects can move such as in a straight line, zigzag, up and down, back and forth, round and round, and fast and slow 2.6C Trace the changes in the position of an object over time such as a cup rolling on the floor and a car rolling down a ramp.

3.6B Demonstrate and observe how position and motion can be changed by pushing and pulling objects to show work being done such as swings, balls, pulleys, and wagons.

4.6D Design an experiment to test the effect of force on an object such as a push or a pull, gravity, friction, or magnetism.

5.6D Design an experiment that tests the effect of force on an object.

How To Materials:

1. Use the blank sheet of paper to make a paper airplane.

•

9” Styrofoam plate

2. Throw your paper airplane on the count of three. 1, 2, 3...

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Glider template

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Pen

3. Observe how your paper airplane flies through the air, to later compare to your glider.

•

Penny

•

Scissors

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Sheet of paper

•

Tape

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4. Using the glider template, cut along the bold edge. *Do NOT make any other cuts beside the outside edge.

5. Align your cut-out template on a Styrofoam plate. Make sure the curved tips of the wings are touching the edges of the side of the plate and the tail piece is on the flat portion of the plate. It is okay if the tip of the nose lays on the curved portion of the plate.

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Flight Path How To Continued…

6. Outline the edge of the template on your plate using your pen.

7. Cut out your glider. Be careful to only make straight cuts on the plate. *Hint: Instead of turning your scissors while cutting, turn the plate to cut from different angles.

8. Referring to your template, notice where the dotted line is and cut accordingly on your glider separating the tail from the wing.

9. Also, cut out “slot 1” and “slot 2” 10. Slide “slot 1” into “slot 2” to position the tail. Make sure the tail is perpendicular to the wing.

11. Attach your penny to the top of the wing just behind the nose (as pictured on the template). Fold the nose back over the penny and tape it down to secure the coin.

12. Count to three and throw your glider!

13. Remember the lines on your template labeled “rudder” and “elevon?” Using your template, cut the rudder and elevons on your glider. See how many different ways your glider will fly by experimenting with adjusting your rudder and elevons in different directions.

Why Does it Work?

What components of a airplane are important? These things can include: flat wings, pointed nose, weight, and smooth curves to help with aerodynamics. The tail helps the glider have a straighter flight path than it would have otherwise. The penny gives the glider weight and helps create a more effective center of gravity. This weight in the front of the plane also allows it to fly further.

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8

Flight Path Why Does it Work Continued...

The glider has more weight due to the penny: it has more flat surfaces; it has a better tail; it is made of stronger material, etc. All of these things allow the glider to travel a steadier and straighter path.

Elevon—Horizontally hinged piece(s) located on the wing of an aircraft; helps determine flight path Rudder—The vertically hinged piece located on the tail; helps determine a plane’s flight path Resources: Flight Adventures: A Unit of Study for Grades 3-5, published by the the Academy of Model Aeronautics and Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

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Girlstart

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Slot #2

Slot #1

Nose

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ChromaCandy Do you only eat the red, brown, or green M&Ms®? Brainstorm the dye colors needed to create your favorite candy color. By using a method called chromatography, you can separate the dyes used in different colors. Girlstart wants to know what color you would create and which dyes would be needed.

TEKS: 3.5D Explore and recognize that a mixture is created when two materials are combined such as gravel and sand and metal and plastic paper clips.

5.5D Identify changes that can occur in the physical properties of the ingredients of solutions such as dissolving salt in water or adding lemon juice to water.

Materials:

How To

•

6 toothpicks

1. Cut the coffee filter paper into small squares (3 in. x 3 in. is recommended).

•

Aluminum foil

2. Draw six dots evenly spaced about ½ an inch from the edge of the paper.

•

A tall glass

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Coffee filter

3. Then below the dots, label them by color (example: R for red, Y for yellow, Br for brown).

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Empty two liter bottle with cap

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One of each color of M&M’s (or Skittles)

5. Place one candy, each of a different color, on each drop of water.

•

Pencil (a pen won’t work)

6. Wait about a minute or so for some of the dye to come off the candy and mix with the water creating a colored solution. Then throw the candies away.

•

Scissors

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Ruler if preferred

7. Then, using a different toothpick for each color, dab the toothpick in the colored solution.

•

Table salt

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Water

© Girlstart 2012

4. Take a larger piece of aluminum foil and place six evenly spaced dots of water on the foil (your finger works well, just touch the water and drop a dot onto the foil).

8. Make small dots of each color on their respective spots on the coffee filter.

Be careful and make sure that the dots of color are small and don’t spread.

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11

ChromaCandy How To Continued...

9. Wait for the dots of color to dry, and then repeat steps 7 and 8 two more times.

10. Once the coffee filter paper is completely dry, fold it in half so that it can stand vertically with the dots on the bottom.

11. Using the rinsed two-liter bottle, add in 3 cups of water and 1/8 teaspoon of salt (or 1 ml of salt and 1 L of water). Put the cap on and shake the bottle to mix the salt and water well, and make sure the salt dissolves.

This creates a 1% salt solution, called a developing solution in this experiment.

12. Using the tall glass, pour the developing solution in. It should only come up about ¼ of an inch.

13. Place your coffee filter paper with the dots on the bottom into the developing solution in the glass.

14. Wait a bit and keep an eye on the filter paper. What happens?

Why Does It Work?

The developing solution should seem to be climbing up the filter paper. This happens through capillary action.

Also, you should start to see stripes of color from the dots climbing up the paper with the water. This is the separation of the dyes in the process known as chromatography. When the solution is about ½ from the top of the paper, remove it and let it dry. What do you see?

Do any of the candies contain different mixtures of dyes? Do the colors travel the same distance?

Try this experiment with Skittles if you used M&M’s, or M&M’s if you used Skittles. What’s the difference? You can also try this experiment with food dyes, Kool-Aid, or markers. Try different things and compare them to the others.

What’s different? What’s the same?

Resource: http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/homeexpts/candy.htm

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12

S’mores-ometry “First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. “ - The Sandlot

S’mores are fun to make, delicious to eat, and are a great way to learn about stoichiometry.

Stoichiometry...what? Time to make S’mores and we will explain!

Math TEKS: K-5.1E Create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas.

K-5.1F Analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas.

How To 1. Roast your marshmallows to your liking over your stove or a grill. * Ask an adult to help your roast your marshmallow.

Materials:

2. Place your pieces of chocolate on your graham crackers.

• 2 Graham crackers

3. Using your graham crackers, create a sort of sandwich marshmallow.

• 4 Chocolate pieces • Marshmallows

Why Does it Work?

Stoichiometry is a chemistry term that describes the calculations used to determine the amount of chemicals in a reaction.

In stoichiometry, you always want to start with a balanced chemical equation.

For our S’mores (Sm) recipe, we will use 2 graham crackers (Gc), 1 marshmallow (Ma), and 4 chocolate pieces (Ch).

Here is our balanced equation: 2 Gc + 1 Ma + 4 Ch = 1 Sm

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13

S’mores-ometry Why Does it Work Continued...

Here is our balanced equation: 2 Gc + 1 Ma + 4 Ch = 1 Sm Q: How many graham crackers would be needed to make 3 S’mores?

A: 6 3 x (2 Gc + 1 Ma + 4 Ch) = 3 x (1 Sm) Explanation: If you need to make 3 S’mores, you would multiply the right side of the equation by three. Because the equation needs to be balanced, you would also multiply the left side by three. That means that you would multiply each quantity of the ingredients by three, which would give you 6 graham crackers ( 2Gc x 3= 6Gc ).

Q: If you had 8 graham crackers, 4 marshmallows, and 16 chocolate pieces, how S’mores would you make? How would you write out that chemical equation?

A: 4 S’mores A: 8Gc + 4Ma + 16Ch = 4 Sm Solution: 8Gc + 4Ma + 16Ch = X Sm 2Gc + 1Ma + 4Ch = 1 Sm — —

4Gc + 4Ma + 4Ch = X Sm = 4 Sm

Explanation: Divide these quantities by the quantities in our original equation. The answer is 4. That means that the left side would have been multiplies by 4, so we still have to multiply the right side by 4 to balance the equation. Our answer means that this new recipe will make 4 S’mores.

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14

Secret Message Morse code, disappearing ink, cryptography, pig-latin. These are all ways people hide messages from one another. Discover how to use everyday items to write your own hidden message!

TEKS: K.5B Observe, record, and discuss how materials can be changed by heating or cooling.

1.5B Predict and identify changes in materials caused by heating and cooling such as ice melting, water freezing, and water evaporating.

2.5B Compare changes in materials caused by heating and cooling.

How To 1. Write a message using your crayon/candle on the white paper.

Materials: •

Unlined white paper

•

Watercolors or markers

•

White crayon or candle

2. Color over your writing using the watercolors/markers.

3. The message should appear!

Why Does It Work?

Candles are made out of wax and wax is hydrophobic. Hydrophobic means that it repels water. When you go over the wax message with water based colors (like markers or water colors) the wax repels the color, leaving the white paper underneath unharmed.

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15

Disappearing Ink TEKS: K.5B Observe, record, and discuss how materials can be changed by heating or cooling.

1.5B Predict and identify changes in materials caused by heating and cooling such as ice melting, water freezing, and water evaporating.

2.5B Compare changes in materials caused by heating and cooling.

How To 1. Soak 1 Q-tip in Windex 2. Using the Q-tip, write your message on the yellow paper. It turns bright red!

Materials:

3. Use a Q-tip soaked in lemon juice to write over the red streaks. The paper changes back to yellow!

•

Goldenrod paper

•

Hair dryer

4. Next try using a Q-tip soaked in lemon juice to write on a piece of paper.

•

Lemon juice

5. After the paper has dried, use a hair dryer to heat up the paper. Your lemon juice message should turn brown.

•

Q-tips

•

Windex

Why Does It Work?

The goldenrod paper is created using a special dye that turns red when exposed to a base. Windex contains a cleaning agent called ammonia which is classified in chemistry as a base. The opposite of a base is an acid. So, by applying an acid like lemon juice to the secret message, it reverses the reaction!

Lemon juice is mildly acidic and acid weakens paper. The acid remains in the paper after the juice has dried. When the paper is heated with the hair dryer the acidic parts on the paper burn or turn brown before the rest of the paper does.

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16

Freezing Point You scream, I scream, We all scream for ice cream! All you need is ice, salt, freezer bags, a few ingredients and your muscles. Discover how salt lowers the freezing point to make your yummy ice cream. Get ready for some ice cream shaking fun!

TEKS: 5.5B Identify the boiling and freezing/melting points of water on the Celsius scale.

How to Materials:

1. Put one gallon size freezer bag inside another gallon bag and one quart size bag inside another quart bag (this will help prevent leaking) 2. Fill the inside freezer bag half way with crushed ice.

•

1/2 cup of Half & Half

•

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

4. In a separate quart size bag (add to inside bag), mix together the 1/2 cup of Half & Half, 1 tbsp of Sugar, and 1/2 tsp of Vanilla.

•

1 tablespoon of Sugar

•

Freezer bags (2 gallon & 2 quart size)

5. Close the inside quart bag tightly, making sure to get rid of any excess air, repeat with outside quart bag .

•

Ice (crushed)

•

Salt

3. Add 6 tablespoons of salt on top of your crushed ice.

6. Put the quart bag into the inside gallon bag on top of the ice.

7. Close the inside gallon bag tightly, making sure to rid of excess air, repeat with outside gallon bag.

8. Wearing gloves, or using a towel around the bag, and start squishing the bags and moving them around. *You may want to take turns shaking the bag, this step takes a long time.

9. Once your ice cream (inside quart bag mixture) is frozen, remove the quart size bag from the gallon size one, and enjoy!

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17

Freezing Point Why Does It Work?

In order to melt, ice must absorb energy. When using ice to cool your ice cream, energy is absorbed from the ingredients inside the bag and from our hands while we shake it causing the ice to melt. Adding salt lowers the freezing point of the ice. This is also known as freezing point depression. Water (ice) normally freezes at 0°C (or 32°F). Adding salt causes it to freeze at temperatures below 0°C (or 32°F). This means it will require even more energy to be absorbed in order for the ice to melt. This makes the ice colder and causes your ice cream to freeze.

References: http://chemistry.about.com/od/snowsnowflakes/a/snowicecream.htm http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/solutions/faq/why-salt-cools-icewater.shtml

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18

Spinning Bucket Do you like roller coasters with loops and spins? Grab a sturdy bucket and water to explore how roller coaster car stay on the track. Make sure to try this experiment outside!

TEKS: K.6D Observe and describe the ways that objects can move such as in a straight line, zigzag, up and down, back and forth, round and round, and fast and slow.

1.6D Demonstrate and record the ways that objects can move such as in a straight line, zig zag, up and down, back and forth, round and round, and fast and slow.

2.6D Compare patterns of movement of objects such as sliding, rolling, and spinning.

3.6B Demonstrate and observe how position and motion can be changed by pushing and pulling objects to show work being done such as swings, balls, pulleys, and wagons.

3.6C Observe forces such as magnetism and gravity acting on objects.

4.6D Design an experiment to test the effect of force on an object such as a push or a pull, gravity, friction, or magnetism.

5.6D Design an experiment that tests the effect of force on an object.

How To Materials: •

•

A sturdy bucket with a strong handle Water

© Girlstart 2012

1. Fill up the bucket about half full with water.

2. Take the bucket OUTSIDE somewhere that can get wet – just in case.

3. Grab the handle of the bucket with one hand and start spinning around.

4. As you keep spinning, try holding the bucket at different angles and different heights. * Make sure no one will get hit with your bucket when you start spinning.

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19

Spinning Bucket Why Does This Work?

What happens? The water doesn’t fly out, like you think it would. Why do you think this is? The answer is due to centripetal force. Centripetal force is the force acting on an object that moves in a circular motion, directed towards its center. The force is pushing against the water, keeping it in the bucket.

Resource: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/bucketspinning.html

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20

Tornado in a Bottle “Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.”- The Wizard of Oz Tornadoes are both fascinating and dangerous at the same time. Meteorologists track weather patterns to predict when a tornado will most likely accrue to help warn the public. Gather your materials to explore a tornado’s vortex safely in your home!

TEKS: 1.8D Demonstrate that air is all around us and observe that wind is moving air.

3.3C Represent the natural world using models such as volcanoes or Sun, Earth, and Moon system and identify their limitations, including size, properties, and materials 4.3C Represent the natural world using models such as rivers, stream tables, or fossils and identify their limitations, including accuracy and size.

How To 1. Fill one bottle 3/4 full with water. Add food coloring and glitter if desired.

Materials: •

2– 2 liter plastic soda bottles (clear bottles work best)

•

Duct tape

•

Glitter (optional)

•

Water

2. Tape the other bottle on top of the one with water in it. Make sure the spouts are aligned and you want to have a strong tape seal. (You don’t want water to leak out.)

3. Turn the bottles over so that the one with water is on top. See how the water has a hard time going down.

4. To make the water go down into the other bottle, swirl the bottles in a circular motion really fast for a few seconds. Don't shake it up and down or it won't work. The water should swirl into the bottom bottle.

5. Did you see the whirlpool created when you swirled the bottles?

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21

Tornado in a Bottle Why Does it Work?

By swirling the bottle, the water begins to move in a circular motion. When the water moves fast enough, it pushes out against the bottle and leaves a hole in the middle. There is only air in the hole. The hole allows the air from the bottom bottle to come up to the top bottle. When the air moves, it opens up space in the bottom bottle, which makes room for the water from the top to flow downward. This sort of water movement, with the special hole in the middle, is usually called a whirlpool. A tornado happens in air and a whirlpool happens in water. So, it is really a "Whirlpool in a Bottle."

Resource: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000056

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22

Snowflake Science Bring on the snow! In Texas we have to make our snowflakes since we very rarely have cold weather. Create unique snowflake patterns to get into the winter spirit. Don't forget to share your creativity with us on our Facebook and Google+ page!

TEKS: 3.3C Represent the natural world using models such as volcanoes or Sun, Earth, and Moon system and identify their limitations, including size, properties, and materials 4.3C Represent the natural world using models such as rivers, stream tables, or fossils and identify their limitations, including accuracy and size.

How To 1. Get a square piece of paper or trim a piece of paper so that it is square.

Materials: •

Folding directions

•

Paper or tissue paper

•

Scissors

2. Fold your square in half diagonally (have a look at the picture).

3. Fold your triangle in half - again diagonally (look at the picture above).

4. Fold paper in thirds...one side to the front, the other to the back.

5. Trim the extra piece of paper off the end of your small triangle.

6. Around the outside of your triangle, cut some fun designs-- circles, squares, triangles, squiggles ... anything goes.

7. Unfold your paper and look at your masterpiece.

8. Voila! A snowflake to hang in your window!

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23

Snowflake Science Why Does It Work?

What color is snow?

Believe it or not, snow is actually clear/transparent. Snow appears white because the crystals act as prisms, breaking up the light of the sun into the entire spectrum of color. The human eye is unable to handle that kind of sensory overload. Therefore, we see the snow as white or sometimes blue What is snow?

When water freezes inside clouds, ice crystals form. Ice crystals are crystals that have formed around tiny bits of dirt that have been carried up into the atmosphere by the wind. The ice crystals join together creating snow flakes.

Once the flakes are heavy enough they fall to the ground as snow. Each snowflake is made up of from 2 to about 200 separate crystals. In addition to a normal snow fall, snow can drift to the ground lightly as flurries, fall heavily as a snowstorm, or pile up quickly by being blown by strong winds in a blizzard.

How many snowflake shapes are there?

Scientists believe there are five common shapes of snow crystals; long needles or flat six-sided crystals, hollow column that is shaped like a six-sided prism, thin and flat six-sided plates, six-pointed stars and intricate dendrites.

What makes the different shapes?

The shape that a snow crystal will take depends on the temperature at which it was formed. Colder temperatures produce snowflakes with sharper tips on the sides of the crystals and may lead to branching of the snowflake arms (dendrites). Snowflakes that grow under warmer conditions grow more slowly, resulting in smoother, less intricate shapes.

• 32-25° F – Thin hexagonal plates • 25-21° F – Needles • 21-14° F – Hollow columns • 14-10° F – Sector plates (hexagons with indentations) • 10-3° F – Dendrites (lacy hexagonal shapes) The colder it is outside, the smaller the snowflakes that fall. The fluffiest snow falls at temperatures around 15°F. Resources: http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/snowflake9.shtml

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http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/snowflake9.shtml

25

Sink or Float?

Have you ever seen raisins dance? Grab a clear soda, raisins and a glass to watch it happen! Share your predictions on why the raisins move up and down.

TEKS: 3.5A Measure, test, and record physical properties of matter, including temperature, mass, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float.

4.5A Measure, compare, and contrast physical properties of matter, including size, mass, volume, states (solid, liquid, gas), temperature, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float.

5.5A Classify matter based on physical properties, including mass, magnetism, physical state (solid, liquid, and gas), relative density (sinking and floating), solubility in water, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy or electric energy 5.5D Identify changes that can occur in the physical properties of the ingredients of solutions such as dissolving salt in water or adding lemon juice to water.

Materials:

How To

•

10-15 raisins

1. Fill the glass with soda leaving about 1 inch from the top of the glass unfilled.

•

Clear glass

2. Drop in 15-20 raisins.

•

Clear, colorless soda (Sprite, 7-Up, etc)

3. Watch what happens!

Why Does This Work?

Do they sink or float? Sink at first because they are denser than soda.

What do they start to do? They “dance”!

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Sink or Float?

Why Does This Work?

Do they sink or float? Sink at first because they are denser than soda.

What do they start to do? They “dance”!

Why do you think they behave like this? Bubbles from the carbon dioxide present in the soda lifts the raisins to the top. When the bubbles pop, the raisins fall back to the bottom.

After a few minutes, what do the raisins start to do? Stay at the bottom without rising as often.

This is due to the carbon dioxide escaping from the soda AND the raisins got too soggy and heavy to be lifted to the top.

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Sink or Float?

Alternative Option How To 1. Fill the glass with 1 cup of water or about half full.

Materials:

2. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the water and stir until it has completely dissolved.

•

Baking soda

3. Add 15-20 raisins.

•

Objects similar to raisins (dried cranberries, etc.)

4. Slowly add about 1/2 cup (or until glass is 3/4 full) of vinegar

•

Vinegar

•

Water

5. Watch what happens! The baking soda and vinegar react to form carbon dioxide, causing the raisins to dance.

Why Does This Work?

Carbon dioxide is dissolved in water to make carbonated water. This carbonated water is then used to make sodas. When this liquid is sealed in a can or bottle, little to no bubbles are visible because the liquid is under high pressure.

When the pressure is released, the carbon dioxide escapes from the water and returns to its natural state of a gas. This is why there are so many bubbles when you drink a soda!

Experiment: http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/homeexpts/dancingraisins.htm

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Parachute Ready Have you ever considered skydiving? Skydivers rely on parachutes to slow them down as the fall from scary heights. Engineer a parachute to help your skydiver, paperclip, land safely on the ground.

TEKS: 3.6C Observe forces such as magnetism and gravity acting on objects 4.6D Design an experiment to test the effect of force on an object such as a push or a pull, gravity, friction, or magnetism.

5.6D Design an experiment that tests the effect of force on an object.

How To Materials:

1. Brainstorm an idea for your parachute using paper and pencil.

•

12” string pieces (2+ pieces)

•

Large coffee filter

•

Markers

•

Paperclips

•

Pencil

•

Scissors

•

Stopwatch (optional)

•

Tape

Why Does It Work?

•

White paper

Skydivers rely on parachutes to slow them down as the fall from frightening heights. Parachutes catch air and create drag, a force that works against gravity. Parachutes are usually large and made of lightweight materials, so they create the most drag possible without adding a lot of weight.

2. Put on your engineering hat and build a parachute with the materials listed.

3. Test your parachute from different heights. * Keep in mind the slower the parachute travels the safer the package (skydiver) will land.

4. Revise your parachute design to float down as slow as possible. *Change the length of the string or add more paperclips 5. Decorate your parachute.

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Edible Slime Mix up a tasty, slimy science treat! All you need are a few ingredients to stir together an edible twist to slime.

This gooey polymer—is a recipe for fun!

TEKS: 3.5D Explore and recognize that a mixture is created when two materials are combined such as gravel and sand and metal and plastic paper clips.

3.5C Predict, observe, and record changes in the state of matter caused by heating or cooling.

4.5B Predict the changes caused by heating and cooling such as ice becoming liquid water and condensation forming on the outside of a glass of ice water 5.5D Identify changes that can occur in the physical properties of the ingredients of solutions such as dissolving salt in water or adding lemon juice to water.

Materials:

How To

•

14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk

•

1 tablespoon of cornstarch

2. Stir until the mixture thickens. Be careful, the mixture burns easily.

•

Flavoring extract (vanilla, chocolate, etc)

4. Add the 3-5 drops of food coloring and a 1-2 drops of flavor additives, if you prefer.

•

Food coloring

5. Allow the slime to cool.

•

Saucepan

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1. Over low heat, stir together the cornstarch and condensed milk in a saucepan.

3. Remove from heat.

*The slime can be stored in a plastic bag in the fridge for a day or two.

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Edible Slime Why Does It Work?

Cornstarch is a polysaccharide (meaning "many sugars") made up of glucose units linked together to form long chains, polymers*. When the cornstarch is heated with the condensed milk, the molecules loosen and allow the milk to be ABSORBED into the chain. This means that the milk goes inside of the molecule chain.

During this process, moisture is also ADSORBED to the surface of the molecule chain. This means that the milk sticks to the surface of the cornstarch. All of the milk on and around the molecule chain makes the solution very thick. Once the heat is reduced, the milk on the outside of the chain is released and the solution becomes much thinner. *Polymers are a long chain of repeating molecules. Common examples are plastics, rubber, nylon and many more.

Experiment:http://chemistry.about.com/od/slimerecipes/a/edible-slime-recipe.htm

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Water Bending Can you bend water? Try using a nylon comb to “control” a flowing stream of water. Brainstorm other places you may experience static electricity.

TEKS: 4.6A Differentiate among forms of energy, including mechanical, sound, electrical, light, and heat/thermal.

How To Materials:

1. Adjust the faucet so that a very thin stream of water comes out.

•

Nylon comb

2. Run the comb through your hair a few times.

•

Stream of water

3. Slowly bring the comb towards the water, with the teeth facing the water.

4. When the teeth of the comb are an inch or less away from the water, the water should start to bend towards the comb.

5. Try moving the comb closer to the water. How does the distance of the comb from the stream affect how much the water bends?

6. Change the size of the stream of water. What effect does this have on how much the water bends?

Why Does it Work?

Everything is made of atoms; they are the microscopic building blocks of our world. Atoms are made up of three components: protons, electrons, and neutrons. Protons have a positive (+) electric charge. Electrons have a negative electric charge (-) and neutrons have no charge at all.

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Water Bending Why Does it Work Continued...

Static electricity is caused by electrons moving from one object to another when they are rubbed together – like scooting your socks across the carpet. This also happens when you run the comb through your hair. The object that loses electrons (your hair) becomes more positively charged, and the part that gains electrons (the comb) becomes more negatively charged.

A charged object begins to attract molecules around it. The charge on the comb attracts the molecules of water in the stream. Because the molecules in the stream can be moved easily, the stream bends toward the comb.

You may also notice that the strands of your hair start to stand up slightly. This is because the strands are more positively charged and start to push each other away!

Experiment: http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/homeexpts/BENDWATER.html

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Sweet Density Sometimes, science can be as sweet as candy. All you need is a few household items to try this sugary experiment.

Just be careful not to eat all these sugary ingredients first!

TEKS: 3.5A Measure, test, and record physical properties of matter, including temperature, mass, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float.

4.5A Measure, compare, and contrast physical properties of matter, including size, mass, volume, states (solid, liquid, gas), temperature, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float.

5.5A Classify matter based on physical properties, including mass, magnetism, physical state (solid, liquid, and gas), relative density (sinking and floating), solubility in water, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy or electric energy.

Materials:

How To 1. Take the glass and pour enough honey to fill 1/6 of the glass. Be careful not to get any on the glass.

•

Dishwashing liquid

•

Food coloring

•

Light corn syrup

•

Honey

•

Rubbing alcohol

•

Tall clear glass

•

One cup for mixing

5. With the next three liquids, you need to be very careful and pour slowly to keep them from mixing together.

•

Vegetable oil

6. Tip the glass and slowly pour the colored water down the side of the glass.

•

Water

7. Then, do the same with the vegetable oil.

2. Tip the glass slightly and slowly pour an equal amount of the light corn syrup down the side of the glass.

3. With the glass still tipped, slowly pour an equal amount of dishwashing liquid into the glass. You should now have three different layers.

4. Next, mix water with 2-3 drops of food coloring in one of the extra cups.

8. Finally, very carefully pour the rubbing alcohol on top.

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Sweet Density Why Does it Work?

Each of the liquids you used had a different density. Density is basically how much "stuff" is smashed into a particular area. Even though you poured an equal amount of liquid for each layer, each layer has a different amount of “stuff” which makes it more or less dense than the layers around it.

You added them to the cylinder in order of most dense (honey) to least dense (rubbing alcohol). Since each new liquid was less dense than the one before it, it floated on top instead of mixing together.

There are many different things that affect density, such as temperature. Heat causes substances to expand and become less dense, while cold causes them to contract and become more dense. Adding things to a liquid can also change its density. For example, salt water is more dense than regular water (which is why it's easier to float in salt water than in fresh water!). You can try building a density column using only colored water. Try stacking hot, cold, and room temperature water, or try building a column with salt water, sugar water, and fresh water!

Experiment: http://www.hometrainingtools.com/density-column-science-project/a/1737/ http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/seven-layer-density-column

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Groovy Science Create magical results by mixing together some common ingredients. Have you ever seen a lava lamp? Do you know what makes them work? Make your very own and in the end, understand the science, rather than magic, behind these beautiful decorations.

TEKS: 3.5A Measure, test, and record physical properties of matter, including temperature, mass, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float.

3.5D Explore and recognize that a mixture is created when two materials are combined such as gravel and sand and metal and plastic paper clips.

4.5A Measure, compare, and contrast physical properties of matter, including size, mass, volume, states (solid, liquid, gas), temperature, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float.

5.5A Classify matter based on physical properties, including mass, magnetism, physical state (solid, liquid, and gas), relative density (sinking and floating), solubility in water, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy or electric energy

How To Materials:

1. Pour water in your bottle or glass until it fills about a quarter of the bottle or glass.

•

Alka-Seltzer tablet (or other tablets that fizz)

2. Pour in vegetable oil until the bottle or glass is about ¾ full.

•

Food coloring

3. Wait for the oil and water to separate.

•

Vegetable oil

•

Water bottle or tall glass

4. Add a few drops of food coloring (it should fall through the oil and mix with the water).

•

Water

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5. Break the tablet into about 5 or 6 pieces.

6. Drop a few pieces in the bottle or glass. What happens?

7. When the bubbles stop, add a few more tablet pieces.

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Groovy Science Why Does it Work?

When you first pour the oil into the bottle or glass with the water, what happens? The oil and water separate.

They don’t mix because they have different densities. Oil has a lower density than water so it rises above the water to the top of the bottle or glass. When the tablet is dropped into the water, it releases carbon dioxide.

The tablet reacts this way, because it is composed of citric acid and baking soda. The combination of those and water form the gas carbon dioxide, and a solid called sodium citrate. This creates the bubbles that you see. Because this happens in the colored water, the gas carries the water with it through the oil. When it reaches the surface, the gas is released, and the water travels back down to the bottom of your bottle or gas due to its higher density.

Experiment: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/easylavalamp.html

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Science or Magic?

Are you a magician or a science expert? You’ll have your friends and family wondering as you demonstrate this tricky experiment. All you need are a few household items to start your scientific career as a magician!

TEKS: 3.6C Observe forces such as magnetism and gravity acting on objects.

4.6D Design an experiment to test the effect of force on an object such as a push or a pull, gravity, friction, or magnetism.

5.6D Design an experiment that tests the effect of force on an object.

How To 1. Choose a sturdy flat surface to conduct your experiment.

Materials:

2. Fill the glass about 3/4 full with water.

3. Center the aluminum pie pan on top of the glass.

•

3 large eggs

•

Aluminum pie pan

4. Place the toilet paper roll vertically on the pie pan. Make sure it is directly above the water.

•

Empty toilet paper roll

5. Set the egg on top of the toilet paper roll.

•

Paper towels

•

Pitcher of water

6. Stand directly behind the Egg Drop setup holding your hand straight out like you are going to karate chop something.

•

Tall glass

7. Position your hand about 6 inches away from the edge of the pan.

8. Hit the pie pan with enough force to knock the toilet paper tube out from under the egg without touching the egg, toilet paper roll, or glass of water.

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Science or Magic?

Why does it work?

According to Newton’s First Law of Motion, objects in motion want to keep moving and objects at rest want to stay at rest—unless an outside force acts on them. When force is applied to the pie pan, the edge of the pan clips the toilet paper roll, therefore leaving the egg without any support. For a brief nanosecond the egg doesn’t move (because of Newton’s First Law of Motion) but then gravity kicks in. Gravity is a pulling force that pulls the egg to the center of the Earth, which in this case is the water filled glass. Once the egg began moving, it didn’t want to stop. The glass of water interrupted the egg’s fall while providing a safe place for the egg to land, unbroken.

Experiment: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/egg-drop-inertia-trick

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Cooking Conversions These gingerbread cookies are great for the holiday season, and are fun to make! Put your math skills to the test by learning about different measurements and how to convert them.

TEKS: 3.5D Explore and recognize that a mixture is created when two materials are combined such as gravel and sand and metal and plastic paper clips.

5.5D Identify changes that can occur in the physical properties of the ingredients of solutions such as dissolving salt in water or adding lemon juice to water.

Materials: • • • • • • • •

2 Mixing bowls Baking sheet Cookie cutters Cooking spray Measuring cups and spoons Rolling pin Spoons for stirring Sprinkles, icing, etc. for decorations

Math TEKS:

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • •

½ teaspoon of baking soda 1 egg 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 1/2 tablespoon of ground ginger 24 tablespoons of all purpose flour 3.5 oz package instant butterscotch pudding mix 8 tablespoons of butter 8 tablespoons of packed brown sugar Extra flour for your rolling surface

4.7B Convert measurements within the same measurement system, customary or metric, from a smaller unit into a larger unit or a larger unit into a smaller unit when given other equivalent measures represented in a table 5.7 Geometry and measurement. The student applies mathematical process standards to select appropriate units, strategies, and tools to solve problems involving measurement. The student is expected to solve problems by calculating conversions within a measurement system, customary or metric.

How To: 1. In a bowl, cream together the butter, butterscotch pudding mix, and brown sugar until smooth 2. Add in the egg and mix well

3. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon in a separate bowl 4. Add the flour mixture into the first bowl, mix well

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Cooking Conversions How To Continued…

5. Cover and chill the dough for one hour 6. After the dough has chilled, sprinkle the extra flour on your rolling surface and your rolling pin. Pull out the dough and roll it evenly 7. Preheat the oven to 176.66 C and spray your cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray 8. Cut the dough into shapes and place on the greased pan 9. Bake the cookies for about 600-720 seconds, or until the cookies are a golden brown and not too soft 10. Take the cookies out and let them cool. Ask an adult for help; the pan will be hot!

11. Decorate your gingerbread cookies

Why Does it Work?

Working in the kitchen can require a lot of conversions! It’s helpful to know how to convert different measurements to make you recipe easier to read. What if your recipe only makes enough cookies for two people, but you have 10 friends? What would you do if you only had tablespoons to measure with and no measuring cups? Girlstart only had teaspoons and tablespoons for our gingerbread cookies, but with a little math we know you can figure it out!

Conversions You Need to Know! *C (9/5) + 32 = *F 16 tablespoons = 1 cup 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon 60 seconds = 1 minute

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Girlstart Flashlight Don't be scared when the lights go out! Discover how Electrical engineers design new and better electronics.

Connect the circuit to create your own flashlight.

TEKS: 4.6A Differentiate among forms of energy, including mechanical, sound, electrical, light, and heat/thermal.

4.6D Demonstrate that electricity travels in a closed path, creating an electrical circuit, and explore an electromagnetic field.

5.6A Explore the uses of energy, including mechanical, light, thermal, electrical, and sound energy.

5.6B Demonstrate that the flow of electricity in circuits requires a complete path through which an electric current can pass and can produce light, heat, and sound.

How To Materials: • • • • • •

1 Empty toilet paper roll

• • •

Cardboard

• •

Scissors

1 Flashlight bulb 1 Paper cup – 3 oz.

2 Brads

1. Take the 2 D-cell batteries and tape them end to end using electrical tape.

Make sure the negative terminal of one battery is taped to the positive terminal of the second battery.

2. Poke two holes in the side of the cardboard tube about one and one half inch apart. Stick one brad through each hole.

2 D-cell batteries 3 Pieces of insulated wire with stripped ends

3. Place a paper clip securely under the top of one of the brads. Press the brad firmly against the cardboard tube.

Electrical tape

4. Cut the tube so that it can unroll. Wrap one wire around each brad, and then press the brads open to secure the wires in place.

Heavy tape (masking, plastic, etc.)

5. Place the two batteries inside the cardboard tube.

Wire cutters/strippers

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6. Tape the loose end of one of the wires to the negative terminal of the batteries.

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Girlstart Flashlight How To Continued 7. Roll the cardboard together to remake the tube. Tape the tube together. The loose end of the second wire should stick out of the end of the tube where the positive terminal of the battery is located.

8. Wrap the stripped end of the wire around the base of the light bulb. Tape it in place using a narrow strip of electrical tape 9. Cut out a circle from a piece of cardboard that fits over the end of the flash light. This is the light bulb holder.

Heavy cardboard will help secure the light bulb in place.

10. Poke a hole through the middle of the light bulb holder large enough to stick the bulb through. Stick the light bulb through the hole.

11. Press the light bulb holder firmly onto the flashlight so that the bottom of the light bulb makes contact with the positive terminal.

12. Tape the light bulb holder to the flashlight with strong tape. The bulb may move around a little, but will light if secured firmly in place.

13. Take a paper cup and poke a hole in the bottom large enough to fit the light bulb through. Place the cup over the end of the flashlight to help direct the light. Tape the paper cup in place.

14. Touch the paper clip to the second brad to test the flashlight. Make necessary adjustments.

Why Does It Work?

Flashlights are a type of circuit — a path through which electricity is able to flow. When the paperclip is not touching the brad, it is called an open circuit. An open circuit is one that is not fully connected, breaking the electricity’s path. When the paperclip is touching the brad, it is called a closed circuit. A closed circuit is one that is fully connected; this allows the electricity from the batteries to flow all the way through the light bulb!

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43

Hot Air Balloon Up up and away! Analyze why hot air balloons fly and how temperature affects air density. You will be able to construct and fly hot air balloons made out of tissue paper and use hot air for their fuel. Aerospace engineers create machines, from airplanes to spacecraft. They design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles and supervise the manufacture of these products. Aerospace engineers who work with aircraft are called aeronautical engineers.

TEK: 5.5A Classify matter based on physical properties, including mass, magnetism, physical state (solid, liquid, and gas), relative density (sinking and floating), solubility in water, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy or electric energy.

Materials: •

1— 6” square made out of tissue paper

•

1 glue stick

•

3 paper clips

•

6 (20” X 30”) tissue paper sheets

•

Gore template sheets (A, B, C, D)

•

Mouth pattern sheet (E)

•

Ruler

•

Scissors

•

Stapler

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How To: 1. Lay one piece of tissue paper on a flat surface and make a line of glue a half-inch wide along one edge of its 30” sides (the longer side). Take another piece of tissue paper and overlap the line of glue with one of its 30” sides (creating a 30” x 39-1/2” large sheet). Lay aside the first large tissue paper sheet and use the remaining tissue paper sheets to create two more large ones by repeating the previous steps.

2. Stack all three sheets on top of one another and align them carefully so that they cannot see the sheets individually, but as one.

3. Fold the stacked large sheets lengthwise to create a rectangle measuring 15” X 39.5”. Be as precise as possible when lining up corners and sides.

4. Fold the sheets lengthwise again to create a rectangle measuring 7.5” X 39.5”.

5. Use the gore pattern sheets labeled A, B, C, and D to create the Gore template. Cut out the templates and align the sheets in alphabetical order, lengthwise in front of you. Use tape to connect the four pieces together.

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Hot Air Balloon Experiment Continued...

6. Position the straight side of the gore template so that it is lined up with the side of the tissue paper that has one long fold (NOT the side that has a fold and several free edges), holding them together on the fold with the paper clips. Hold the template and tissue firmly and cut the tissue paper around the curved edge of the template. (Do NOT cut along the edge with the paper clips). Remove the paper clips and template and unfold the gores while keeping them together.

7. Set stacked gores in front of you lengthwise. Take the top gore and slide it straight up a half inch. On the gore that you just moved, make a line of glue along the bottom edge (the edge closest to you). Beginning at the center of the second gore, fold ½” of the bottom up over the first gore you just glued, fastening the two pieces together. Hint: Smooth the pieces as much as possible to create the best possible seal and apply more glue at any point if necessary.

8. Fold the top edge of the gore down to the bottom edge; folding it in half without pressing the crease.

9. Next, slide the second gore straight down a half inch and apply a line of glue along the top edge of the second gore. Then, fold the top edge of the third gore down and over the top of the second gore, fastening the two pieces together.

10. Take the seam between the first and the second gores and fold it up to the seam between the second and third gores. Once again, do not press the crease. Repeat the two previous steps to fasten the remaining gores to one another.

11. Pick up the folded gores and carefully unfold them. Fold the gores in half so that the two free edges are matched up.

12. Using the same technique, slide the top edge up ½” and apply a line of glue. Fold the other free edge up and over to seal the balloon. You should now have all of the gores connected. The small opening is the top of the balloon and the large opening is the mouth of the balloon.

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Hot Air Balloon Continued…

13. Take the 6” square and fold it in half twice to end up with a 3” square. Find the corner with the four free edges and cut an arc there to create a circle.

14. Open up the hot air balloon carefully and completely cover the circle with glue. Place one hand inside the balloon through the bottom and with the other hand, take the circle and press it over the hole at the top of the balloon. Make sure the edges of the circle are securely glued to the balloon to form an airtight seal, which will help ensure proper flight of the balloon.

15. Make the mouth pattern using template E. Cut along the lines labeled “Cut Line;” overlap the three pieces together at the narrow ends a half inch and attach the pieces together using glue or tape.

16. Then fold the entire length of the joined pieces at the fold line. Finally, insert the bottom of the balloon into the folded strip and staple the strip to the balloon.

17. Now your balloon is ready to launch! Set a hairdryer on LOW and aim the air stream up through the mouth of the balloon. Once the balloon is full of warm air, you will feel it start to lift off! marbles, they would move farther apart and have more energy—just like warm air.

Why does it Work?

The science behind hot air balloons is actually very simple. When the balloon is filled with hot air, it rises up because hot air is less dense than cold air. We learned in the December 22 lesson, Sweet Density, that density is how much “stuff” is in a certain space. When you heat air, the molecules gain energy and start to move away from each other. Think of it like spilling a jar of marbles. When all of the marbles are in the jar, they are very close together and do not have much energy—just like cold air. If you were to spill the jar of marbles, they would move farther apart and have more energy—just like warm air.

Activity: http://www.pitsco.com/Hot-Air_Balloons_Teachers_Guide?sku=W59614

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46

Liquid or Solid?

Is it a solid? Or is it a liquid?! This substance can be deceiving at first, but we promise to explain it in this fun (and maybe a little messy) experiment.

TEKS: 3.5D Explore and recognize that a mixture is created when two materials are combined such as gravel and sand and metal and plastic paper clips.

5.5D Identify changes that can occur in the physical properties of the ingredients of solutions such as dissolving salt in water or adding lemon juice to water.

How To Materials: •

A bowl or dish

•

Cornstarch

•

Water

1. Set up your bowl somewhere where it is easy to clean up – this experiment can get messy!

2. Put a bit of cornstarch in your bowl.

3. While mixing, slowly add water to the cornstarch – it’s more fun to mix with your hands!

4. Mix enough cornstarch and water so your mixture flows very slowly and does not unravel.

Why Does it Work?

While playing with your mixture, try doing different things with it. Try to hold it in your hand, try rolling it in a ball, or even try smacking it! What does the mixture do when you do each of these things?

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47

Liquid or Solid?

Why Does it Work Continued...

Why does the cornstarch do this when mixed with water?

Cornstarch is a polymer – it is made up of a long string of atoms. These atoms move very slowly, so when you run the mixture through your fingers slowly, it moves freely, like a liquid. However, when you smack it, or start rolling it together quickly, the atoms get tangled up, and the mixture behaves more like a solid.

Resource: http://littleshop.physics.colostate.edu/Try%20At%20Home/goorecipeone.htm

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48

CO2 Balloon Sick of getting blue in the face from blowing up balloons yourself? Here’s an experiment to give your tired lungs a rest! See what happens to the balloon when we create an explosive chemical reaction in this experiment, and never use your own carbon dioxide to blow up a balloon again!

TEKS: 3.5D Explore and recognize that a mixture is created when two materials are combined such as gravel and sand and metal and plastic paper clips.

5.5D Identify changes that can occur in the physical properties of the ingredients of solutions such as dissolving salt in water or adding lemon juice to water.

How To: Materials: •

Baking Soda

•

Balloons

•

Measuring spoon

•

Plastic water bottles

•

Vinegar

1. Put a little bit of vinegar in the bottom of a plastic water bottle (too much will explode the bottle…be careful!)

2. Put a tablespoon-ish of baking soda in a balloon and place it on top of the bottle.

3. Pour the baking soda in the bottle onto the vinegar and see what happens.

Why Does it Work?

Baking soda is a chemical called sodium bicarbonate and it reacts with vinegar. Vinegar is called acetic acid. These two chemicals react and form something new. You can see that a reaction is happening. What things happened? The baking soda and vinegar fizzed and you may have seen some bubbles. The bottle probably feels cool around the mixture. The balloon blew up. All of these observations tell us that a reaction occurred.

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DeSTEMber' is a trade and service mark of Girlstart.

www.girlstart.org

49

CO2 Balloon Why Does it Work Continued...

Scientists know a lot about what makes up baking soda and vinegar. They wrote an equation that tells us what is made when we mix them. One of the things that is made is carbon dioxide gas. How could we see the carbon dioxide? It blew up the balloon. We captured the carbon dioxide inside the balloon. We see the space it takes up.

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DeSTEMber' is a trade and service mark of Girlstart.

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50

Suds Galore This soap makes for a great holiday gift, or is great for your own use at home! Using evaporation, you will have your very own homemade soap to show off. Your friends and family will love to admire this squeaky clean experiment!

TEKS: K.5B Observe, record, and discuss how materials can be changed by heating or cooling.

1.5B Predict and identify changes in materials caused by heating and cooling such as ice melting, water freezing, and water evaporating.

2.5B Compare changes in materials caused by heating and cooling.

3.5C Predict, observe, and record changes in the state of matter caused by heating or cooling.

3.5D Explore and recognize that a mixture is created when two materials are combined such as gravel and sand and metal and plastic paper clips.

4.5B Predict the changes caused by heating and cooling such as ice becoming liquid water and condensation forming on the outside of a glass of ice water.

Materials: •

Additives like honey, oatmeal, food coloring, scent, etc.

How To: 1. Using the grater, shred all of your soap.

2. Using a pot, mix about half of the shredded soap with enough water or milk to cover the soap (milk makes for smoother soap, but water works as well.)

•

Basic, unscented bar soap

•

Grater

3. Put the pot on low heat and be sure to keep stirring well so that the soap doesn’t burn.

•

Pot

4. As you stir, continue to add more soap and milk/water.

•

Molds

5. When the soap is completely melted, add the scents and/or additives.

•

Water or milk

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51

Suds Galore How To Continued…

6. Pour your soap mixture into your molds, making sure that each one is free of air pockets.

7. Cover your soap molds with a damp towel overnight.

8. Put the soap in the fridge or freezer the next day.

9. Enjoy your own homemade soap!

Why Does it Work?

The shredded soap is able to melt and thicken when combined and heated with water/milk. The reason that the formed soap isn’t full of liquid is because the water/milk evaporates. Evaporation occurs when liquid turns into vapor when heat is applied. An example of evaporation is boiling water. The steam that rises is actually evaporated water, just like in this experiment!

Evaporation even occurs outside of the kitchen! Water from lakes, rivers, etc. evaporates and rises. As it reaches high altitudes, it begins to cool off, turning back into a liquid forming cloud. This is known as condensation. When the clouds get too heavy, the liquid falls back to earth as precipitation, which can come in the forms of rain, sleet, or snow. These three steps, evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, are all part of the water cycle.

Experiment: http://www.education.com/activity/article/Make_Soap_middle/

© Girlstart 2012

DeSTEMber' is a trade and service mark of Girlstart.

www.girlstart.org