One of the most effective ways of helping children learn science concepts is by conducting experiments with them. As a parent or teacher you can use simple experiments to demonstrate basic science concepts. In most cases the cost of materials needed for these types of experiments are minimal but the understanding you will see in the child's eyes is invaluable.
Flower Color Change
You will need a few materials like food coloring, a plastic cup or container, water and a white flower of any type, but carnation work best. Allow the children to fill their plastic cup or containers with water and add a few drops of any food coloring. Cut off about a 1/4-inch from the bottom of the stem so that the cut is fresh. Place the flower in the plastic cup and allow the flower to set for an hour or so. Have the children inspect the flower again after this time period to see the flower change color and take on the food coloring color. Check the flower again over the next 24 hours to see how much more of the food coloring it absorbs over time.This color change is caused by absorption of the colored water by the flower through the vessels in the stem.
The Swimming Egg
In most cases when you drop an egg in water it sinks to the bottom of the glass, but show your kids how to float an egg with this experiment that demonstrates how density of liquids works. Get a tall drinking glass and fill it half full with water. Stir in about 6 tablespoons of salt then pour in more water until the glass is full. Do not restir the mixture. Lower the egg gently into the water and watch the egg float. Because the salt water in the lower portion of the glass is denser than the tap water at the top, an object like an egg can easily float in the middle of the glass.
The Coke Eruption
According to Steve Spangler, the Diet Coke and Mentos Geyser is extremely popular with the kids. However, this is a science project that must be done outside as Diet Coke will explode everywhere. You will need a large bottle of Diet Coke, a plastic funnel and a half a pack of Mentos for this project. Place the Diet Coke in an upright position and open the bottle. Insert the funnel in the Diet Coke opening. This allows you to drop all the Mentos in at the same time. Drop the Mentos in the Diet Coke and get out of the way quickly. You will see a huge geyser of Diet Coke come flying out of the bottle. This reaction is caused by the carbon dioxide in the Diet Coke and the dimples in the Mentos candy. Carbon dioxide bubbles form on the surface of the Mentos in the dimples, making the carbon dioxide bubble up and out of the bottle.
Pressurized Eggs
Hard boil an egg and have the child peel the egg completely. Eliminate all the shell from the eggs. Choose a glass jar with an opening that is only slightly wider than the diameter of the egg at its widest point when in a vertical position. Place the egg in a vertical position over the top of the opening of a jar. Have the child notice the way the egg seems to be suspended on top of the jar. Explain that the egg remains on top of the jar without falling in because it is being balanced by the air pushing up from the interior of the jar and the air pushing down on the egg. Remove the egg, light two matches and drop them in the jar. Quickly replace the egg back on top of the jar and watch how the egg is sucked inside. Explain how the egg was pushed inside the jar from the air pressing down on the egg.
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