Using Science Experiments in Library Classes

Expand on the Concepts

Resources

density:

Suminagashi

Density Tower

Video Tutorials

properties of CO2:

Menthos & Coke

CO2 lighter than air

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/40-cool-science-experiments-web

http://billnye.com/ Bill Nye the Science Guy

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/ Steve Spangler Science

Websites

surface tension:

Cut newspaper trick

Water upside down in jar

http://www.science-project.com/ Science Fair Support Center

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/kitchenscience/

Kitchen Science Experiments

http://www.green-planet-solar-energy.com/solar-energy-education.html

Green Planet Solar Energy

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/ Science Kids

http://www.tryscience.org/ Try Science

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/ Science Made Simple

http://www.education.com/science-fair/

Education.com

http://www.sciencebob.com/index.php

Science Bob

Zoom on PBS Kids

http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/

Science is Fun

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/

Zoom on PBS Kids

http://www.hunkinsexperiments.com/ Hunkin's Experiments

molecular bonds:

Instant snow trick

Electrostatic soap bubbles

Howard County Library System Materials

Books:

Blackburn, Ken & Lammers, Jeff Paper Air Plane Book 629.1331B

Catterall, Clive The Hot Air Balloon Book : Build and Launch Kongming Lanters, Solar Tetroons and More 629.1332C

Cobb, Vicki We Dare You! : Hundreds of Science Bets, Challenges and Experiments You Can Co at Home J507.8C

Connolly, Sean The Book of Potentially Catastrophic Science : 50 Experiments for Daring Young Scientists 507.8C

D'Amico, Joan The Science Chef: 100 Fun Food Experiments and Recipes for Kids 641.3D

Gurstelle, William Backyard Ballistics 531.55G

Harris, Elisabeth Snoke Save the Earth Science Experiments : Science Fair Projects for Eco-Kids J507.78H

Robinson, Tom The Everything Kids' Magical Science Experiments Book : Dazzle Your Friends and Family with Dozens of Science Tricks J507.8R

Spangler, Steve Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes : Unforgettable Experiments That Make Science Fun 507.8S

Sobey, Ed The Motorboat Book : Build and Launch 20 Jet Boats, Paddle-Wheelers, Electric Submarines and More 623.82S

Young, Karen Roman Science Fair Winners : Crime Scene Science J363.25Y

Bibliography

• http://www.education.com/science-fair/article/make-your-own-lava-lamp/
• http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/lavalamp.php
• http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/lavalamp.php
• http://www.education.com/science-fair/article/make-your-own-lava-lamp/
• http://fuckyeahfluiddynamics.tumblr.com/post/27337141633/suminagashi-the-japanese
• http://socratic.org/questions/how-does-molecular-polarity-relate-to-intermolecular-forces
• "Lava Lamp" Contributed by the Chi Epsilon Mu (XEM) Chemistry Club at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN
• http://www.hometrainingtools.com/a/homemade-lava-lamp-project

DVD Series:

• Mythbusters
• Smash Lab
• The Science of Disney Imagineering
• Daily Planet
• National Geographic

Using Experiments

in Library Classes

How Does it Work?

Molecules and Atoms

Density

The oil floats on the water because the oil is lighter, or less dense, than the water.

The oil and water do not mix because water molecules are not attracted to oil molecules. Water molecules are attracted to other water molecules (lopsided electrical charge). Oil molecules are not attracted to water molecules (non-polar).

Density = mass/volume

Intermolecular Polarity

Chemical Reactions

Engineering

How do real lava lamps work?

When the tablet (citric acid & baking soda or sodium bicarbonate) sank, it began dissolving and creating a gas (carbon dioxide).

They use polar and non-polar liquids, too! The denser liquid sinks to the bottom, but instead of a chemical reaction, real lava lamps use heat from a small light to cause change. When the slightly denser liquid heats, it expands and becomes less dense and rises in beautiful blob form. As the blobs get farther from the heat, they cool, return to a greater density, and sink. Then the cycle repeats with zen-like awesomeness.

In the presence of water, citric acid (C6H8O7) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) react to form sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7), water, and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Reaction equation: C6H8O7 + 3NaHCO3 > Na3C6H5O7 + 3H2O + 3CO2

More Density!

As the gas bubbles rose, they hijacked the colored water. Why? Because the water/gas combinations were less dense than the water around them. They were also less dense than the oil. Remember how water molecules are attracted to each other? That attraction explains the combination's ball shape as it traveled through the oil. When it broke the surface, the gas escaped and the water sank.

Lava Lamp

adapted from

You Will Need:

• A clean 1 liter clear soda bottle
• 3/4 cup of water
• Vegetable Oil
• Fizzing tables (such as Alka Seltzer)
• Food Coloring

What to Do:

• Pour the water into the bottle.

• To maintain the effect, add another tablet piece.
• Shine a light behind it to create a more realistic lava lamp.

• Add 10 drops of any color food coloring to the bottle. The drops pass through the oil and mix with the water.

• Use a funnel to slowly pour the vegetable oil into the bottle until it's almost full.
• Wait for the oil and water to separate.

• Break a seltzer tablet in half and drop the it into the bottle. It sinks to the bottom.

By Deborah Bosilovich

What Kind of Experiment?

What are you curious about? What fits your theme?

Ideas are everywhere!

Adapting

In Books

The Hot Air Balloon Book:

Build and Launch Kongming Lanterns, Solar Tetroons, and More by Clive Catterall 629.1332S

Media

Think of it like cooking.

• Sometimes you half the recipe.
• Sometimes you substitute ingredients. Sources often suggest adaptations. Look up another version.
• Recognize extras you don't really need. Like those onions.
• Make sure it's edible for the youngest at the table. If it's too hard or messy or could rile them up, prepare that part in advance or skip it altogether.
• Have a back-up plan.

Backyard Ballistics by William Gurstelle

531.55G

DVD 530E

DVD 507.8M

http://www.sciencebob.com

DVD 635D

or current events.

Science Fair Winners Crime Scene Science

by Karen Romano Young

J 363.25Y

Considerations

Inspired by games . . .

Entire lesson plans, templates, and suggestions inside!

372.7H

How big is the room?

How much prep time can you afford?

What is the general age of target audience?

How can you make it easy?

Teach Math with Wii: Engage Your K-7 Students Through Gaming Technology by Meghan Hearn

Instead of a Craft, Try an Experiment

Structure an experiment like you would a craft.

• Research
• Preparation of materials
• Portioning materials
• Safety considerations
• Ways to minimize mess
• Pacing

Now just add a scientific question.

It's easy!

Safety and Issues

Containment

Keep a good 20 inches of space between the junior scientists.

Parcel out materials as needed.

Redirect when needed--have extra material handy.

Communication

Establish a protocol and follow it.

Engage them throughout.

Reinforce the scientific principle.

Cooperation

Stay on task.

Volunteers can help--Parents can volunteer.

Arrange class so older students can help younger.

Has someone in the system already done a similar class? If so, what perspective can they provide?

Make it an Experiment

The lava lamp created is a fun DEMONSTRATION.

To make it a true experiment, use the scientific method to explore a question.

Team Questions:

Individual Questions:

• Does the temperature of the water affect the reaction?

• Does the size of the tablet pieces affect the number of blobs created?

• Does the size of the bottle affect how many blobs are produced?

• Does the effect still work if the cap is put on the bottle?

• Does the effect change, if different types of paints and dyes are used?

• Does the effect change if you shake the capped bottle?

Restrict each team's materials to their part of the question. Make an older teen Team Leader for each group.

• Hypothesize
• Follow procedure
• Observe and record data
• Analyze data
• Form a conclusion