Non-Newtonian Tomatoes

Last day of Science Week!  To finish off a fabulous week we are planning to have Fush and Chups covered in tomato sauce.

Tomato sauce is actually pretty special.  It’s a known as a non-Newtonian fluid.  This means it acts differently to forces that everything else.  They are called non-Newtonian as Newton did so much pioneering work around forces.

They are a bit tricky to explain.  However, the explanation is much easier after you spend some time playing with non-Newtonian fluids. 

Luckily it’s super simple to make!

Just mix some corn flour with water.  You’ll end up with a thick material. 

This amazing material acts like liquid when you pour it.  But it acts like a solid when you hit it with a sudden force.

Some interesting stuff to help you explore more …

Put your finger in it and move it around slowly – what happens when you move around the material faster?

Get a bowl of water.  Hit the water with a spoon.  Then try hitting the non-Newtonian fluid in the same way.  Talk about the difference.


If we look at our corn flour and water mixture under a microscope the corn flour particles would look like rough formed hexagons.  In between those particles would be the water and starch ones – acting as a lubricant.  Most of the time all these particles slide past each other.  They are acting like a liquid.  However, when a sudden force is applied the sides of the particles rub together and the friction holds them together. They lock together like crazy paving. As soon as the pressure is off, everything starts moving freely again. 

Non-Newton fluids are all around us.  Tomato sauce is just one example. Scientists still don’t fully understand Non-Newtonian fluids.  They are still trying to unlock the secrets behind these fascinating materials.  Once they do, it will open up a whole range of new materials and inventions.  

Have a Pav!

libertygrace0

There is a British chef called Heston Blumenthal. He’s known for mixing science and cooking together.  Some call him a molecular gastronomist.  

Cooking all is all about science. It’s full of chemical reactions and relies on how materials react to heat.

The great Kiwi Pavlova is a fine example of science and cooking. Especially if you don’t get it right!  The crunchy outside, soft inside dessert can go rock hard or as flat as a rubber pancake.

So if you’ve ever made one you’ll know that you need to beat the life out of the egg white. As you do this you are stretching the protein in the egg white out. The vinegar also helps stretch out the proteins. As you beat the eggs you trap air into the mixture.  This makes our egg whites nice and fluffy.

As we heat the mixture a few things happen.  First up, we slowly dry out the mix. Next, the little pockets of air expand as they are heated. The sugars also caramelise. This gives us a slightly stiff structure as well.

5 Tips for Perfect Pavlova

1. No grease or oil in your bowl or whisk
2. Be gentle so you don’t push out all the air
3. Have your eggs at room temperature
4. Let it cool fully in the oven (6 hours),
5. If all else fails, go to the supermarket and buy one …

Here’s a good recipe for a choice pav…

3 egg whites

3 tablespoons of cold water

1 cup caster sugar

1 teaspoon vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

3 teaspoons cornflour

Directions:

Beat egg whites until they are stiff.

Add cold water to the eggs, beat again.

Add castor sugar gradually while still beating.

Add vinegar, vanilla and cornflour, again, while still beating.

Put some greased paper on a greased tray and bake at 150 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes.

Cool in the oven

Enjoy!!!!

Kiwi Litmus Test

This experiment takes a little prep but it’s totally worth it.

You will need:

A large red cabbage

Kiwi fruit

Mixing bowl

Saucepan

Kitchen towel/coffee filter paper

Knife

Empty 2 litre bottle

Stove top/hot plate 

1. First you need to prepare your litmus strips.
2. Grate a red cabbage.
3. Boil the cabbage in 2 cups of water for 30 minutes.  
4. Strain the cabbage and KEEP the liquid.
5. Let this liquid cool down.
6. Once cool, dip in paper towel or coffee filter paper into the cabbage juice then let the towel dry out.
7. Once the towel is dry cut into stripes about 20mmX60mm.

What you have made is a litmus tester. This is able to measure how acidic something is. If it goes a pinky red colour the substance is a acid if it goes green/ blue it is an Alkaline, also referred to as base.

So, is the juice of a Kiwi Fruit an Acid or a base?

What about other materials around us?  Try Lemon juice, Vinegar. Milk, soap … the list is endless. 

It’s also fun to pour the red cabbage juice into other liquids.  Try pouring it into a little bit of vinegar. 

The juice can be stored in a old drink bottle for about a week.  You can dilute it down with boiled (but cooled) water to make it go further.  How much you can dilute it depends on how good your cabbage is. We find a 50/50 mix works well.

Do take care when using chemicals. Even something like Kiwi Fruit juice can hurt you if you get it in your eyes.  But we love a bit of danger here at Science in a Van.  

The Joy of Poi

Swing your poi!  Let it swing back and forth.  If you don’t disturb it you’ll notice it will finally come to rest. This is a pendulum.

A pendulum is very simple.  It’s a weight on a thread or on an arm that swings back and forth. They are used to regulate clocks so they don’t tick too fast or too slow.  Today’s experiment will help us understand pendulums a little more.

You will need:

Large metal washers

Ball of string

Scissors

Protractor (Optional)

1. Cut a piece of string to 1500mm long.
2. Work out a way of hanging the string.  A doorway is good.
3. Now tie your washer to the end of the string.
4. Pull the washer back, keep the string straight.  Try and make a 15 degree angle. 
5. Let go of the washer.
6. Count how many times it swings back and forth within 60 seconds.

Alan in his glam shed :)

Repeat the experiment but increase the angle to 40 degrees.  What’s the difference in the result?

Now shorten the rope to 1000mm and swing it from 15 degrees. How does this compare to our first result?

Do it again but shorten it down to 500mm. What happens?

Other things to try:

Collect your data on a chart.

Do each swing five times and work out an average. 

Look at your data.  Are there any patterns?

Change the weight by adding more washers.  What happens then?

Don’t forget we have a free Science Week PD Session in Auckland tomorrow.  If you are a teacher you are very welcome to join us.  Fill in the registration form so we know how many red sausages to buy.

Monday is Messy

It’s the first day of science week!  Let’s start it with a bang.  We love this experiment but it comes with a warning.  Warning this is very messy!

It’s a great experiment … to do outside.  Check out the video. 

You will need:

1.5l Bottle of L&P

Packet of Mentos

A4 sheet of card

Cellotape

Cocktail stick

1. Make a cardboard tube.  About 4cm longer than a tube of mentos.  Thick enough to go round the Mentos loosely but also small enough to fit into the neck of the L&P bottle.
2. Push the cocktail stick through the cardboard tube (see pic).
3. Carefully place your tube on the bottle and fill it fill of Mentos.  Ensure that the cocktail stick keeps the Mentos from falling into the bottle.
4. Clear the area, pull the cocktail stick out and run!  If you’re quick it helps if you take the cardboard tube with you.

The great thing about this experiment is that even scientists don’t fully understand it.  But here is a common understanding.

It has a lot to do with the Carbon Dioxide in the drink which is stored in the bottle under pressure. When you undo the lid for the first time you can hear a fizz and see the bubbles.  This is due to a change of pressure in the bottle.

When we add the Mentos they sink to the bottom.  On the way they seem to encourage the carbon dioxide bubbles.  This could be to do with the glucose and gums used in the Mentos.  The outside of the Mentos is rough and the bubbles cling to this textured surface.  It is the rapid expansion of the gas that pushes the drink out of the bottle.

There is a chemical reaction going on. But it is believed to be more of a physical reaction then a chemical reaction that cases this phenomenon.

This experiment is a real hit with kids and adults.  However, most have only seen it on YouTube.  We really encourage trying it for yourself to get the full effect.  We use it our ‘What’s the Matter’ Experience and it’s always a show stopper.  

Great FREE Events in Your Area!

For Science Week 2012 the wonderful team at NZASE have put together a great programme.

Check out offers from MOTAT, Zoos, University Workshops and (drum roll please…) Science in a Van!

If you are in Auckland we will be ...

Out East at Somerville Intermediate -  Monday 7th May -  4pm-5.30pm

Out West at Matipo Primary – Wednesday 9th May - 4pm-5.30pm

Sharing highlights from our shows and a whole load of our favourite experiments that you’ll be able to facilitate in your classroom the next day.

To register check out the programme and sign up here.

See you next week!  

Kiwiana Experiments! National Primary Science Week – 7-11 May 2012

It’s nearly the second ever National Primary Science Week.  Even though we are super busy blowing bubbles, launching rubber chickens and playing with liquid nitrogen we are here to help you through! 

We’ll supply the science by posting an experiment everyday of Science Week.  All you’ll need is:

Click here for Monday's Experiment

By Hikosaemon

• 1.5l Bottle of L&P
• Packet of Mentos
• A4 sheet of card
• Cellotape
• Cocktail stick

Click here for Tuesday's Experiment 

• Poi
• Large metal washers
• Ball of string
• Scissors
• Protractor (Optional)

Click here for Wednesday's Experiment

• A large red cabbage
• Kiwi fruit
• Mixing bowl
• Saucepan
• Kitchen towel/coffee filter paper
• Knife
• Empty 2 litre bottle
• Stove top/hot plate

Click here for Thursday's Experiment

• Your favourite pavlova recipe and ingredients

Click here for Friday's Experiment

• Cornflour
• Water
• Bowl
• Tomato sauce - not essential!

We’re hoping you've got most of this stuff handy.  You might want to collect it all together and have it ready in your classroom each day.   

Bring on Science Week!

Click here to get our blog posts to your inbox

Easter EGGperiments!

Term 1 is now officially done and dusted!!!

Want some fun over the holidays or a few tricks up your sleeve when you return to school?

Check out last years massive Easter EGGperiments by clicking the links below.  You'll need a whole lot of eggs!

Float My Egg Experiment 
EGGtreme Spin
EGGperience the Pressure
EGGtraordinary Forces
EGGtras

Size is everything!

If want to inspire your kids to start measuring stuff get them to check out the site The Scale of the Universe 2.

It's interactive and takes you on a journey from the biggest thing known to man to the most tiny!

You could send them on a treasure hunt - try and find Jupiter, the Grand Canyon, the Titanic, an egg, a red blood cell and a helium atom.  Each object will pop up with more information when you click on it.

Fantastic resource which we just had to share.

Although Alan is still a little overwhelmed by the size of lemons in NZ ... 

The Liquid Nitrogen Experience!

Photo Credit - http://flic.kr/p/9v74mo

Our last tour was a sold out success!

This 45 minute show will inspire your students by:

• demonstrating the effects of temperature on natural and manmade materials
• deflating a balloon without popping it
• explaining the states of matter through the medium of dance!
• creating a cloud right in front of their eyes
• an explosive finale and much, much more!

This memorable and fun experience explores Level One and Two of the Physical and Material world strands of the curriculum.  In particular, it presents the vocabulary required to enable students to describe their observations relating to the changes that occur when materials are mixed, heated, or cooled.

Science in a Van combine humour with clear scientific explanations that will get your students and staff hooked on science. 

• Only $400.00 for 90 Students (including GST) - click here for more info.
• No transportation costs – Science in a Van comes to you!

Auckland - 25th - 29th June 2012 - click here to reserve your preferred date!

Rotten but not forgotten

Jo and the motivated team at Henderson Valley Kindercare have done a fantastic job of documenting their 'food rotting' experiment.  We paid them a visit a few months ago and made predictions on what would happen to a bit of cake, cucumber and a fish finger.  Check out the pics to see what happened (little bit disturbed that the cake hasn't changed much)!

NZASE National Primary Science Week - Term 2 Week 3

NZASE National Primary Science Week is happening in Term 2 Week 3

NEWS FLASH - We are now completely booked up for Science Week!

Last year was the first ever National Primary Science Week and Science in a Van embraced every second! We offered a free teachers PD as part of the NZASE programme, blogged experiments everyday and delivered fourteen Science in a Van sessions. It was a blast!

This year will be even better as we have so much more to offer. We’ll be in the Auckland area and you can choose from all of our favourite sessions - 'Move It!', 'The Wonderful World of Bubbles' and 'What's the Matter?'.

The Extreme Experience - A whole day of science fun! You get FOUR Science in a Van sessions of your choice PLUS a FREE Science Stunt for the whole school to kick start the day.

The Ultimate Experience - A great day full of science wonder! You'll get THREE Science in a Van sessions of your choice PLUS a FREE Science Stunt to wow the whole school.

The Half-Day Experience - You'll get TWO Science in a Van sessions of your choice.

Check out our website for more information on the sessions we offer and for costings.  If you'd like to add the Liquid Nitrogen Experience to your day please let us know!

Click here to check out the official NZASE Science Week Flyer.

Check back here over Science Week as we will be posting an easy experiment everyday of Science Week so you can keep your class focused on science. Enjoy!

Google Science Fair

Entries close on the 1st of April!

Have you asked a question today? What did you do with it?

Did it take you somewhere new? Did it bring you here?

The Google Science Fair is an online science competition seeking curious minds from the four corners of the globe. Anybody and everybody between 13 and 18 can enter. All you need is an idea.

Geniuses are not always A-grade students. We welcome all mavericks, square-pegs and everybody who likes to ask questions. Everyone has a question. What’s yours?

Get involved!

Thank You!

What an amazing time we have had lately.  The Liquid Nitrogen Experience was enjoyed by around 1,400 students and teachers from the Auckland area in the last week!

The students at Browns Bay School loved it so much they kindly sent us some fantastic cards.  Definitely a talented bunch as their drawings of Alan are quite realistic and the cards are full of detailed  explanations of what they learned during the show.  Awesome effort!

Thanks to all the schools we have had the pleasure of visiting over this last *short* term.

We are off to spend Christmas with Alan's whanau in London.  So watch this space for our science adventures from the other side of the planet!

Ever wanted to own your own 3D Printer????

Now you can!  One of our favourite things about ULearn11 was 3D Printing Systems stand. 

These little machines are fantastic as they can print 3-D plastic models using your own designs.  It uses heat in the nozzle and on the platform which warms up the thin plastic fed.  Check out the vid to see it in action…

This machine is great low cost way for producing prototypes, engineering pieces and art pieces. With minimum machine set up, it’s very clean and quiet to run.   In fact the machine comes out of the box ready to go.  An amazing way to show your students how useful technology can be. 

Pretty inspiring too - we are still trying to get our heads around how it prints a completed ball-bearing kit!

ULearn 11 Fun and Inspiration!

We cannot recommend the ULearn Conference highly enough!  It was great fun being part of the buzz of the conference in Rotorua this year. 

More than 1500 delegates from around New Zealand and overseas took part in the ULearn11 conference. There were 400 speakers over four days of back-to-back inspiration, education, ideas, strategies and fun, equipping educators with all they need to transform their teaching, learning, school or early childhood community. It was all done by not-for-profit educational research and development organisation, CORE Education. 

Core Education are running another great conference, Learning@School, in Feb 2012 – click here for more information.

One of the highlights was meeting many of the teachers we had been tweeting with and to check out lots of new gadgets!  We saw Lego robots, microscopes that hook up to your PC and we saw interactive white boards of every type.  We didn't even go to the many, many fabulous breakout sessions but even so there was so much to see and do that we are having to dedicate the next couple of post will highlight our ULearn11 highlights!

A little friction between teams

Man, have we seen some scrums over the last couple of weeks!  In these scrums we can see Sir Isaac Newton’s second law of motion in action.

If something is moving or is about to move depends on two things

Its weight

The force acting on it

According to Sir Isaac Newton ideally you’d like your front row to be:

Heavy

The heavier your front row is the more force the other team needs to move you.

Strong

The more force you can produce to push the other team back – the better.  Remember, you’ve got to have enough to cancel out the force they are pushing in your direction – and then some! 

Smart!

They have to understand friction.  Friction is the force which is created when two surfaces rub against each other. 

You want the effects of friction between your boots and the ground to be high (I guess that’s what those new orange boots do well).  This makes it harder for the other team to push you back.

You want the effects of friction to be low between yourself and the player who is trying to tackle you.  (Hence the investment in new jerseys, shame the friction between the numbers and the jersey on the English was so low!)

Pop Quiz – Was the effect of friction high or low (or both) when SBW's ripped his shirt???

Rugby Science

You may have noticed that World Cup Rugby fever is EVERYWHERE!  But where is the science? Everywhere too!

Over the next couple of weeks we are going to post a few experiments highlighting the scientific principles behind rugby.

Today we are going to look at the first law of Newton’s three laws of motion.  In everyday language the first law says something a little bit like this … something will not start moving until a force makes it.  This is obvious on the rugby field.  The ball stays still until someone grabs, kicks or passes it. 

Magic is Science but without the Explanation

Check out the video of Alan hypnotising a tomato sauce packet!  Maybe you can challenge your class to figure out what he is up to by checking out our post which explains why some things float while others sink.  Good Luck!

Will it float or will it sink?

Science is everywhere... even David Letterman loves a little science ...

There’s Something in the Water

We are massive fans of Opua School in Northland.  Last time we were there we saw them braving the weather and floating their own rafts.  Their efforts inspired this blog which is all about why some things float and others sink. 

 

You will need:

•  A large sheet of tinfoil

• A jug or large transparent container of water

 

1. Fold the sheet into a boat (like in the photo)
2. Place it on top of the water
3. Now, screw your boat into a ball
4. Try floating that!

 

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as “light things float and heavy things sink”.  Luckily for us, Archimedes had the famous Eureka! moment and figured it out.  He noticed what happened to the water level when he got in the bath. 

 

Push you hand in the jug of water. What happens to the water level?

What we need to know:

The tinfoil applies a downward force on the water. But the water has an upward force on the tinfoil.

The two bits of information we need to look at is the amount of water we displace (move) and the weight of that displaced water and compare this to the weight of the tinfoil.

When the tinfoil is lighter than the water it pushes out of the way - it floats.
When the tinfoil is heaver than the water it pushes out of the way - it sinks.

Our tinfoil boat pushes more water out of the way than our tinfoil ball – the boat floats but the ball sinks.

Hope you enjoyed this blog and to inspire you to get creative with science – check out the hardy souls of Opua School putting floating and sinking into action.

 

Remember – keep safe - www.watersafety.org.nz

Ice, Ice Baby

Science in a Van recently enjoyed a week in Taupo and visited four fantastic schools.  It snowed on the Monday which made a lovely place look a little more magical and created an exciting buzz all around.

This blog was inspired from scraping ice of our windscreen. We are going to learn about the effect of salt on ice.

You will need...

Slam and Snap!

Why does the ruler snap?

It’s all to do with air pressure. Although it doesn’t look like the air is made up of anything – it is! Invisible to the human eye air is made up of a whole lot of particles. These particles are pushing down on the newspaper sheet. As the ruler attempts to flip up – this movement is too rapid – more air particles don’t have time to slip underneath the newspaper. As a result the pressure is too great on top of the paper – it can’t move and the ruler has no choice but to snap.




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Free Teachers' Session

News Flash!  We are hosting a FREE session that will give you the confidence to facilitate hands-on science in your classroom the very next day.  This session will have something for teachers that love getting busy with science and for teachers that dread the thought of it! 

Science in a Van at The Mangere East Community Centre

372 Massey Road (behind the library)

Mangere East

Thursday 11^th August 2011

3.45-4.45pm

During the session we will:

• Get hands-on with some of Science in a Van’s favourite tried and tested experiments.
• Discover the everyday application of the science behind the experiments.
• Hear about why Science in a Van loves the Material and Physical World strands of the Science Curriculum.

You will leave the session buzzing with …

• Renewed confidence and ideas to get science into your classroom.
• An understanding of what Science in a Van offers and how this can enhance your science units making them even more memorable and engaging.

We have room for around 40 teachers and each school can have up to three teachers attend the session.

RSVP ASAP to contact@scienceinavan.co.nz or call or text us on 022 682 3009.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Emily & Alan

Kelly’s eye (It’s a bingo thing)

Don’t you just love an email viral (not)!  Well we received one the other day which actually turned out to be quite interesting.  A great little mathematical puzzle to share with your class or your mates.  The viral goes a little something like this …

Big Wheels Keep On Turning...

As Science in a Van travel around we see many interesting things.  Check out the pics of the water wheel we saw in Okaihau. Later in this blog we will talk you through making your very own water wheel.

Science in a Van Wellington & Hawkes Bay Tour!

A massive thank you to all our readers and supporters that have been booking us and letting schools know that Science in a Van is out and about!

Thanks to this great support we are now able to announce our … 

Science in a Van Wellington & Hawkes Bay Tour!

Wellington Area - 14^th-18^th November 2011
Hawkes Bay – 21^st – 24^th November 2011

We are offering Primary and Intermediates in these areas our Ultimate Experience.  We come to your school so you save on transportation!

We also have a free teaching and learning resource for those schools that secure their place on the tour before the end of July worth $40.00!

Contact us soon and have a chat about using Science in a Van to get more science in your school.

Rolling In It

Here's a weekend wonder we filmed when the weather was a little better!

It's all about the basic science behind forces.  At the end of the video there is a great experiment that your kids will love.  It's only needs a balloon and a one dollar coin.  For a change we decided to put the matches away so you won't even need an alert adult for this one!  Enjoy :)

Thanks too to all the great teachers and students that have sent in feedback, letters and photos after their Science in a Van experiences.  We really appreciate it and you can check them out on our testimonial page.

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Taupo Tour Announced! 15th - 19th of August 2011

UPDATE!!!! Awesome News Alert!

Taupo Intermediate - Taupo Primary School - Wairakei School - Mountview School are all booked up for our Taupo August Tour.

We only have Friday the 19th of August with no bookings .... YET!  Due to the overwhelming response if you are a school in Taupo area you can book us for a single experience, half-day experience or the Ultimate Experience.  Contact us ASAP to book.

Letting off Steam and Cooling Down

Don’t be confused by the title … this isn’t a new relaxation technique it’s still all about the science!  In this blog, we are looking at what happens to water as it is heated.

The first major power source to drive machinery in factories was the steam engine.  The first steam engine to work of great note was Thomas Newcomen Atmospheric engine dating back to 1712 in England.  These early engines used to pump water out of coalmines.  It wasn’t long before people thought of new and different ways to use this technology.

The steam engine was the backbone of the industrial revolution.  It had an impact on manufacturing and on the way people lived all around the world.  Due to these changes, small farming communities disappeared and large industrial cities became the norm.  Although all that was a long time ago, steam engines and locomotives are still in operation around the world today.

For this experiment you will need:

Friday Already?

Where has the week gone?  Looks like it is time to reveal the science behind our last Weekend Wonder.

When I poured the boiling hot water onto the dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) we created our own massive cloud.  (Check out a video of it here).

There are materials/substances all around us and in the air are

Ignore the lego head hair and the weird expression, instead check out our first Weekend Wonder!

Science in a Van have been over the bridge and on the Shore lots this week.  Enjoyed fabulous days at Bayswater School and Westminster Christian School who were super excited about Move It and The Wonderful World of Bubbles.  

So, after a fun week we thought it was time to bring out a Weekend Wonder!  What is going on in video?  Send in your ideas to contact@scienceinavan.co.nz.  Check in next week to find out the science behind the fun!

Last but no means Least!

Today is the last day of Science Week sob sob.  We have had a fabulous time and we hope you have too.  Today we are at Bayfield School and are sharing the Ultimate Experience with them.

All of our experiments over this week have attempted to confront the ‘burning oxygen’ myth.  We do need oxygen to aid burning but it’s not a fuel.

For this experiment you will need:

Two for the Price of One

Want to inflate a balloon without losing your breath?
For this experiment you will need:

Love (Fire) Triangle

Want to put out a candle without using your breath or water?

For this experiment you will need:

Oh No! Co2!

Yesterday we discovered that when the candle burns it releases carbon dioxide.  Inside a closed space, like a jar, the mix of gases changes due to the rising levels of carbon dioxide.  The flame needs access to oxygen to aid the burning process but this new mixture of gasses makes this impossible – as a result the flame goes out.    

Today’s experiment will highlight how carbon dioxide is a flame’s worst enemy!

You will need:

Candles Suck

You will need:

·         A night light candle

·         A jar that fits over the candle

·         A bowl of water

·         Matches

·         An attentive adult

Place the candle in a bowl of water and light the candle.  Place the jar over the candle. This experiment is so popular because of what happens next … The candle will go out and then the water will be drawn into the jar.  Kids (and most adults we know) at this point make lots of oooohhh ahhh noises.

Often people then announce that the candle has burnt up all the oxygen.  As a result a partial vacuum is created and this draws the water up.  Unfortunately ...

It is Science Week!

Emily and Alan here at Science in a Van are very excited!  We are visiting five different schools over the next week and helping out the NZASE team by providing a teacher session on Wednesday evening.  Fourteen Science in a Van experiences in five days – bring it on!

But we don’t want to be the only ones having fun with science during Science Week!  We want you to get involved too.  We have lots of experiments in our Science in a Blog archive for you to try and we are posting up a new experiment every day this week. 

The first experiment we will do on Monday will be one you are quite familiar with.  Tuesday through to Friday will have additional experiments that will help you get to grips with the science behind Monday’s experiment.

Over the years we have discovered that there are quite a few popular experiments that people absolutely love demonstrating but are a little unsure of the science behind them.  We hope this week we can help build up your scientific understanding and have some fun along the way.

So, we hope you all come along for the ride!  You’ll be demonstrating these experiments in your classroom in no time.  Here at Science in a Van we like to use explosives and naked flames – so always have a sober, responsible adult at hand J

EGGtras

We hope you had eggtreme fun this last week and have become Eggperts!   But you may want more, so here are a few eggtras.

Monday we covered water density by floating an egg. Look at this photo.  Can you recreate it? 

Tuesday we discovered how to predict if an egg was hard-boiled or raw.  You could turn this into a magic trick. Stun the crowd by ‘magically’ picking the only boiled egg out of a tray of raw ones. 

Wednesday we put an egg in a bottle.  But can you get it out again? What else can you get in a bottle?

Thursday’s eggtraordinary forces. Take it to eggremes and make bigger egg towers.  Check out the video of our mate who took up this challenge! 

Friday.  Do this eggperiment again but with a little twist.  Before putting your egg in the vinegar write your name on the side with a soft wax crayon. After 24 hours what happens?

You might wonder what to do with all the stuff you have made. Well in Victorian times people made things called curiosity cabinets. Some were simple boxes and others were big elaborate cases. They would fill them with interesting stuff. Shells, bones, pressed flowers, persevered animals and many other strange things. They were like mini museums. You could get an old box and decorate it to make a curiosity box for your eggs.

Do remember that your eggs will eventually go bad and smell a bit funky!  This is in keeping with Victorian curiosity cabinets.  Many have been found with rotting samples and dangerous chemical like mercury in them!  Yuck!

Happy Easter!

EGGcellent Decalcification

This eggperiment is fantastic for finding out what acid can do to calcium. It’s also great as you will be left with something elegant and mystifying.

It is fun to do this as a test.

For this experiment you will need: 

EGGtraordinary Forces!

This fourth eggperiment in this eggtravaganza is more like a trick or a stunt! When you perform it for your friends, they will think it took years of circus training. But actually it will only take 15 minutes. This is a carnival of forces in action. 

For this experiment you will need:

EGGperience the Pressure

Why can’t I get jar lids off sometimes? It is all to do with air pressure.  The next demonstration shows how air pressure works and will leave you with a curiosity to show your friends. 

For this experiment you will need:

Float My Egg

The Dead Sea in Jordan is a strange place as the water has an unusually high concentration of salt.  When swimming in the Dead Sea you will float very, very easily. 

To understand why this happens we need to recreate this environment.  So first, we need to build a sea and find some swimmers! 

For this experiment you will need:

EGGtreme Spin

Science in a Van love theme parks.  However, after a rollercoaster ride they feel sick!  Why?  All the liquid and soft stuff in our bodies move about and we get all shook up. 

In the following eggperiment you will see the effect of having moving liquids inside of an object.

For this experiment you will need:

Easter EGGperiments

Can you believe Term One is over already and Easter is here? It has been a very exciting first term for us here at Science in a Van and we thought we’d celebrate by posting up an eggperiment (see what we did there?) every day for the next five days!

If you want to get involved in this eggtravaganza you need to check you have some things. Here’s what you’ll need for each day.

Monday - 2 raw eggs, 1 hard-boiled egg, 1 marker pen

Tuesday - 1 raw egg, 2 large glasses, tap water, salt, a spoon
Wednesday - 1 peeled boiled egg, 1 glass bottle with a wide neck, boiling water, oven gloves
Thursday - 2 raw eggs, 1 large straight edged glass, 1 plastic plate, 1 piece of A5 card
Friday - 2 raw eggs, 2 glasses, tap water, vinegar

I’m sure over the next five days we’ll all have a bit of fun learning a more about the world around us. We hope you enjoy this Science in a Van eggtravaganza! 

NZASE National Primary Science Week

The first ever National Science Week has on offer loads of opportunities for free, local professional development for teachers, competitions for schools, free science activities, resources to help science teaching.  Plus Science in a Van is getting involved.  Join us between 4 and 5.30pm on Wednesday 4th May 2011 for a free teachers session!