Science Experiements

Over the last few weeks we have been experimenting with science.  We have been looking at the scientific method of investigation (posing questions, forming an hypothesis, explaining the method, experimenting, sharing the results and forming new questions).  There is a lot of learning involved in science as students discover how things react with each other and try to make sense of it.  The first experiment we undertook was the Coke and mentos experiment.

Check out the videos below...

We began the experiment with a small reaction between the coke and mentos and eventually we were able to get a bigger, better explosion from the coke.  We did this by adding more mentos, making a funnel and using a bigger coke bottle.  The students learnt that in science you need to make tweaks to things to continue investigating.  We learnt that when the mentos is dropped into the coke the carbon dioxide rushes towards the lollies (like a magnet) and this causes the liquid to spout up.  It is a reaction between the mentos and coke.


Another experiment that we undertook in Room 8 was a 'Boat experiment'.  We made little boats and put them in water.  They floated for a bit, but didn't do a lot.  Someone suggested that we could get the boats to move forward at speed by adding a little drop of dish liquid behind the boat.  IT WORKED!  The boat shot forward in the water with just a small drop of dish liquid...  WHY WAS THIS?

We discovered that dish liquid cracks the surface of the water causing the boat to move forward.  We watched a video clip about this experiment as well which helped our understanding.  This experiment works with other soap like products which CUT through the water surface.  Here are some pictures...

Making boats

Another science experiment we tried was called "The unpoppable balloon".  We blew up a balloon and then tried to insert a kebab skewer right through the balloon!  There were lots of BANGS, but also lots of success!  Yes, many children were able to insert the skewer right through without popping the balloon.  This trick works only if you insert the skewer through the areas on the balloon where the surface tension is the least.  Definitely NOT on the side of the balloon, because this is where the balloon is stretched the most.  At each end there is thicker rubber, the nubble (bottom of balloon) and also where you tie the balloon off.  This is not as stretched and therefore the surface tension is lower, allowing you to push a skewer through without making the balloon POP!   Check out the photos...