Science experiments to try including using nature print paper, Ph Test strips, and breaking geodes open. All very fun!
*Note: All of these activities require adult supervision and help.
Actually, we had so much fun all of these experiments were later used in a birthday party, by request of one child!
Nature Prints
Nature print paper is a form of photographic paper that may be “developed” in just a few minutes. Sunlight develops the paper. Wait to pull the paper out of the dark bag it comes in until the children are ready. The children have to understand they need to work very quickly, place the paper in full sunlight, place objects down, and not move anything for two minutes.
The paper will not appear to be much different, but after two minutes an object may be lifted to reveal a white shadow on the paper. Then, the paper is ready to process in water for just a minute. The finished pages should then be dried on paper towels. At first we used some small wood shapes that were not so interesting as to delay the understanding of how this paper worked. The second time around more interesting shapes were used, seashells. This project uses solar rays as did our solar beads project a posted at this link.
Ph Tests
We also used Ph test strips with test tubes full of common and safe household liquids: water, vinegar, orange juice, apple juice, liquid soap, and also foaming soap. None of these were for tasting, but harmless if contact was made with skin. The children each had six test strips and dipped them in the test tubes one by one to see what happened. It may be that Ph balance and the chemical properties of acids (juice and vinegar) and bases (soap) were not understood, but this did help teach science can be fun.
Each test strip was dipped into the test tubes one at a time, and dried on paper towels.
Again the test tubes make the common household liquids looks so wonderful, but it was just some juices, water, and vinegar. It makes me want to try this, too!
Geodes
Finally, we broke geodes outside. The geodes were placed in a sock and hit with a hammer. We used safety glasses as well, as a precaution. The sock was ruined so do use an old sock! First we examined the intact geodes. They certainly didn’t look pretty, and they were even dirty. Imagine that!
A hammer was used to break the geodes. Some were stubborn and adult help was required. The trick is to hit the very center of the top of the rock.
Inside our geodes were not as spectacular as some we have seen, but they were certainly shiny and much different than the outside appearance.
The broken geodes required close inspection, as did everything else we did on our science experiments day. Fun and learning for all!
Where can you buy these materials? I actually bought all my products on the Steve Spangler site. You can do a Google search and easily find it!
Thank you so much for reading, Carolyn
