Make Things That Sink... Float!
"; s.text = "Instructions
1. See things sink: drop marble sand a ball of clay into a tub of water.
2. Take all the stuff out of the water.
3. Shape the clay into a flat circle, then pull up the edges into a boat shape.
4. Put the slay on top of the water. It floats!
6. Put the marbles in the clay.
The whole thing floats, where it used to sink!
By Helen, 9
Science Class
"; s.text = "How to Focus
Instructions
Look at the teacher. Take notes. Ask questions. Sit by the teacher and watch everything in class.
By Anonymous, 12
Plastic Milk
"; s.text = "Materials
Skim milk
White vinegar
Microwave-safe bowl
Strainer
Instructions
1. Add four teaspoons of white vinegar to one and one half cups of skim milk. 2. Microwave the mixture for about a minute. Make sure you ask your parents for help if you are not allowed to use the microwave by yourself.
3. The milk and vinegar should now be separated into two parts--a liquid and a solid. (By adding the vinegar, you created a chemical reaction separating the milk into the curds and the whey).
4. Stir the milk, turning the curds into a 'blob'.
5. Using the strainer, pour the milk mixture over the sink, straining out all of the liquid and leaving just the blob of curds.
6. Let the milk blob sit for about 30 minutes.
7. You should now be able to form the blob into shapes. Now, you have plastic milk!
Remember, if you leave the milk blob out long enough it will harden into whatever shape you have created!
By Michelle
Dancing Raisins
"; s.text = "Materials
A tall, clear drinking glass
Raisins
Club soda that has lots of bubbles
Instructions
1. Pour the club soda into the glass.
2. Drop in half of a raisin.
3. Wait at least 20-30 seconds and see what happens to the raisin. (It should move up and down in the soda).
4. The reason the raisin is floating is because the bubbles in the soda stick to the sides of the raisin, making it more bouyant. Think of it like the raisin is wearing a lifejacket (the bubbles) to keep it afloat.
5. Experiment and see what else you can get to float. See what happens with grapes, noodles, chocolate chips, safety pins and anything else you can think of!
By Michelle
Umbrella Microphones
"; s.text = "Materials
2 umbrellas
A clock that ticks
Instructions
1. Position two open umbrellas about 6 meters apart with the handles of the umbrellas facing in toward each other.
2. Hold the clock close to the handle of the umbrella, about half way up.
3. Have a friend stand by the other umbrella and listen with their ear right up next to the middle of the umbrella's handle.
4. The sound of the clock ticking should be reflected and amplified from one umbrella to the other.
5. Experiment with your umbrella microphone by taking turns saying things to each other and by placing other things that make sound close to the handle.
By Michelle
Fun with Static Electricity
"; s.text = "Materials
A plain, plastic hair comb
Tap water
A head of hair
Instructions
1. Turn on the faucet and get a thin, smooth stream of water trickling out of the tap.
2. Comb your hair with the comb about a dozen times (this will give the comb a static charge).
3. Hold the comb close to the water (not touching the water) about halfway down the stream.
4. The stream of water should bend toward the comb. The static electricity charge is attracting the stream of water, making it 'bend'.
5. See if you can get the same result using a balloon. Create a static charge with an inflated balloon by rubbing the balloon on your head.
By Michelle
What Goes Up... Doesn't Have To Come Down
"; s.text = "Materials
Plastic wrap
A thin knitting needle
Tape
Food coloring
A glass
Instructions
1. Wrap the plastic wrap around the knitting needle and then tape the edges so that you have formed a tube. Remember, the narrower the tube, the more pronounced the capillary effect will be.
2. Once you have taped the plastic wrap, pull out the knitting needle. Make sure that the new plastic tube is not bent and is open at both ends.
3. Now pour a little of the food coloring into a glass half filled with water.
4. Now place your plastic tube into the glass of water. 5. Examine the tube carefully. The dye should climb up the tube above the level of the liquid in the glass. Your water is traveling uphill!
By Michelle