Greetings Nutty Scientists!
July school holidays are already here so why not use this time to try out some cool science projects?
At Nutty Scientists, we love doing fun hands-on activities while also learning about the science behind them. While we have a lot of science-y activity ideas, here are a few of our favourites for you to try at home this school holidays!
DIY Parachute
Materials
A square napkin
Strings or yarn
Light toy figures (For example, Lego figures)
Paper cup (optional)
Sticky tape
Scissors
Colouring markers
Method
1. Open up the square napkin. Decorate it with some coloured markers. This would be your parachute
2. Measure and cut 4 pieces of string, each the same length as the square napkin
3. Tie one string to each corner of the napkin
4. Tie the other end of the 4 strings to your toy. Alternatively if you don’t have a toy figure that is light enough, you can punch four holes around the top of a paper cup and tie the 4 strings to cup.
5. Throw your parachute from a high spot and watch it float to the bottom
The science behind it:
A parachute works by increasing the surface area so that there is more air resistance, which helps to slow down the fall. The bigger the parachute, the longer it will take to reach the ground!
Colourful chemistry – Acids and bases
Materials
1 lemon
Baking soda
Food colouring
Dishwashing detergent
Paddle pop sticks
Method
1. Have an adult cut off the base of the lemon so it can sit flat. Flip the lemon over and slice out the core
2. Use a paddle pop stick to mush the centre of the lemon to get the juices out
3. Add a few drops of food colouring to the centre of the lemon
4. Add a squeeze a dishwashing detergent into the lemon
5. Add a spoonful of baking soda into the lemon. It should start to fizz. Stir the lemon with your paddle pop stick to get more bubbles
6. Add more lemon juice, baking soda and detergent to keep the fizz going!
The science behind it:
Lemon juice contains citric acid, and when mixed with baking soda (which is a base), it reacts and forms carbon dioxide (CO2)! That is the fizz you see!
Walking rainbow
Materials
7 clear jars/glasses
Water
Food colouring (3 primary colours: red, yellow and blue)
Scissors
Paper towels
Method
1. Arrange the 7 jars in a line
2. Fill the first jar with water (about ¾ full), followed by every other jar after that (3rd, 5th, 7th jar)
3. Add a few drops of food colouring to the jars with water following this order: Red to the 1st and last jar, Yellow to the 3rd jar, Blue to the 5th jar
4. Fold 6 pieces of paper towels in half, and then in half again to make long thin strips of paper towels.
5. Now fold each thin strip of paper in half (length wise)
6. Place one end of the folded paper towel in the first jar and the other end in the second jar. Make sure one end of the paper towel is touching the water. Take another piece of the folded paper towel and put one end in the second jar and the other end in the third jar. Repeat until there is a zigzag of paper towels across the 7 jars.
7. Wait and watch as the magic happens!
The science behind it:
The coloured water will travel up the paper towel against gravity in a process called capillary action. The paper towel soaks up the colour from one jar and down into the next. The once empty jars are now filling up with 2 colours from the jars on each side and mixing!
Balloon rocket
Materials
1 balloon
1 long piece of string (1m or more)
1 plastic straw
Tape
Method
1. Tie one end of the string to a chair or a doorknob for support
2. Put the other end of the string through the straw
3. Pull the string tight and tie the other end to another support in the room
4. Blow up the balloon but don’t tie it. Pinch the end of the balloon to stop air from leaking and tape it securely under the straw
5. Let go of the balloon and watch it fly across the room
The science behind it:
As you let go of the balloon, the air rushes out and creates a forward motion called Thrust, pushing the balloon across the room.
Go ahead and experiment! Share a photo or video of your experiment according to the method detailed above on our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/nuttyscientistssydney/) and go in to a draw to a random draw to win a fun science gift.
Happy holidays!
Rowena Chong
Professor Helix
