Each month The Quirkles do a video segment on KOLR news to promote science with young children. Check out all the science videos below for some easy, fun, and interesting ways to bring science activities into your classroom or home. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter at the top for more fun and FREE science experiment ideas delivered to you each month.
Soda Tricks, Fun Explosions, & Science Experiments For Children
More fun science experiments for children from the Quirkles! This month we're having fun with carbon dioxide explosions. We have also included a really cool soda trick too. Shake up your soda as hard as you can! We dare ya :)
Expanding Baby Bottle Experiment
Materials:
Plastic baby bottle
Baby Bottle Nipple without a hole in the tip
Carbonated Soda
Procedure:
Pour the carbonated soda into the baby bottle and place the nipple on the bottle. Shake the bottle. You will see the carbon dioxide bubbles form inside the bottle, but what happens to the nipple?
Conclusion:
The nipple expands to an enormous size due to the carbon dioxide trapped inside of it.
12.23.11
KOLR-10: Naughty or Nice Test - Science Activities for Kids
Another fun science activity for kids with the Quirkles! Vinnie Volcano, one of The Quirkles, KOLR 10, and Terri Johnson demonstrate a fun science activity for the holidays using baking soda, vinegar, and some red food coloring.
Vinnie Volcano's Naughty or Nice Test
Materials
Two plastic cups
Vinegar
Water
Baking Soda
Measuring Cup
Tablespoon
Red food coloring (optional)
Dawn dishwashing liquid (optional)
Plastic spoons
Procedure
Fill one of the plastic cups three-fourths full of vinegar. Fill the second plastic cup three-fourths full of water. Color both cups with red food coloring and put a squirt of Dawn dishwashing liquid in each cup. Stir the liquids. This is what you will refer to as your "Holly Jolly Juice" Put three tablespoons of baking soda(elf powder) in each cup of liquid.
Conclusion
The baking soda reacts with the vinegar to produce carbon dioxide gas causing an eruption. The cup with the water does not react.
If a cup erupts, that means the person has been VERY nice! However, if the cup does not erupt, better luck next year!
11.19.11
KOLR-10: Colorful Caroline: Color Mixing with Magnets
Check out this really cool way to mix colors using the power of magnets! Study the science of magnets and create fun and beautiful abstract art at the same time!
Objective:
To demonstrate magnetism and color mixing
Materials:
White Paper
Aluminum cookie sheet
Magnetic marble
Tempera paints
Plastic bowls
Plastic spoons
Strong magnet
Tape
Cups or blocks of wood
Procedure:
Elevate the cookie sheet by creating a stand with the cups or blocks. Tape the paper to the top of the cookie sheet. Pour the paint into the bowls. Dip the magnet into the paint until it is covered. Then use the plastic spoon to remove the marble from the paint and place the marble on the paper. Repeat this step for all the paint colors used. Now, hold the strong magnet under the cookie sheet and use it to move the marble through the paint.
Conclusion:
The magnetic marble will respond to the pull of the magnet. All magnets produce a magnetic field. The magnetic field can cause some objects (magnetic marbles) to move even when they are not being directly touched by the other magnet. The magnetic field gets stronger as the magnets get closer to one another. Also, note the colors created as the magnetic marble moves across the cookie sheet.
10.31.11
KOLR-10: Cool Halloween Science Experiments For School - Melting Witch
Here are some more cool science experiments for school or to do at home. Terri Johnson demonstrates some fun ways to spice up science this Halloween!
Objective:
To demonstrate how polystyrene foam melts in acetone.
Materials:
Foam cup
Pen
Goggles
Rubber gloves
Acetone (nail polish remover)
Glass or metal bowl
Popsicle Stick (optional)
Procedure:
Draw a picture of a witch or any object on the upside foam cup. Fill the bowl one half inch deep with acetone. Place the cup into the acetone and push down with the stick. Be sure and wear your rubber gloves!
Conclusion:
The cup will melt into the acetone. The foam cup holds tiny particles of air. When the foam dissolves in the acetone, the air is released. A sticky goo is left behind. When the foam goo hardens, it doesn't have air pockets anymore.
09.15.11
KOLR-10: Susie Sound's Moaning Myrtle
Try these out to make some quick and fun science activities to help teach about sound vibration. Sound vibration is the movement of air molecules. A hex nut has six sides. The flat edges of the hex nut cause it to vibrate inside the balloon. The "moaning" sound is the result of the vibrations.
Objective:
To learn about sound vibration
Materials:
Clear latex balloon
1/4" hex nut
Procedure:
Squeeze the hex nut through the mouth of the balloon. Make sure that the hex nut goes all the way into the balloon so that there is no danger of it being sucked out while blowing up the balloon. Blow up the balloon and tie it. Grip the balloon at the stem end as you would a bowling ball. The neck of the balloon will be in your palm and your fingers and thumb will extend down the sides of the balloon. While holding the balloon, palm down, swirl it in a circular motion.
Conclusion:
Sound vibration is the movement of air molecules. A hex nut has six sides. The flat edges of the hex nut cause it to vibrate inside the balloon. The "moaning" sound is the result of the vibrations.
08.28.11
KOLR-10: Jazzy Jet's Zip Line: Easy Science Experiments For Kids
Make a quick and fun zip line with balloons, straws, and, string. The Quirkles, KOLR 10, and Terri Johnson demonstrate some cool ways to create a zip line science activity and experiment in this video.
Materials:
String (approximately 3 yards)
Tape
Balloons
Straw
Partner
Procedure:
Thread the string through the straw. Blow up the balloon and hold it so air will not escape (do not tie). Attach the drinking straw to the balloon with the tape. Place your balloon at one end of the string. Your partner should hold the other end. Let the balloon go!
Conclusion:
The air will rush out of the balloon, pushing it in the opposite direction. In the same way, the hot gases rushing out of a rocket or jet push them in the opposite direction.
07.25.11
KOLR-10: Easy Summer Science Activities For Kids with The Quirkles
Science doesn't have to be complicated and can always be fun for kids! Try out these different activities and spice up your summer with some inexpensive toys. Go beyond beakers and bunsen burners and grab an air blaster or some Flarp today!
Objective:
To demonstrate Galileo's Falling Objects Experiment
Materials:
Two water bottles (one full and one empty)
Chair or ladder
Spotter
Procedure:
Stand on top of the chair or ladder. The spotter needs to help with balance. Place the bottles in each hand. Hold both bottles out at equal length and distance. Count to three and release the bottles at the same exact time. Which bottle hits the ground first?
Conclusion:
The bottles hit the ground at the same time. Galileo stated objects in direct proportion to weight hit the ground at the same time.
06.25.11
KOLR-10: Fun Bouncing Bubbles Science Activity For Kids
Summer time is a wonderful opportunity to add some excitement to the day with science activities for kids! Explore the properties of bubbles in this video. Learn the secret to making the best bubbles with The Quirkles!
Bubble Mix:
Two-thirds cup Joy dishwashing liquid
One gallon of distilled water
Two tablespoons of glycerin
Bubble blower
Procedure:
Let the bubble mixture set for 24 hours before using. Dip the blower into the solution and blow!
Conclusion:
You will form bubbles. Bubbles are air trapped in a thin film of soap and water. Colors can be seen in a bubble through the reflection and refraction of light waves off the inner and outer surfaces of the bubble wall. Have fun!!!
05.27.11
KOLR-10: Bubble Blaster Science Activity
This is a great outdoor science activity if you are looking for some fun science projects for kids this summer!
Safety Goggles Required!
Materials:
1/2 tablespoons baking soda
1/2 cup vinegar/lemon juice
1/4 cup water
A paper towel
Zip-lock sandwich bag
Procedure:
Place the baking soda in the center of a paper towel and fold up the towel into a square package to hold the powder inside.
Into the zip-lock sandwich bag add half a cup of vinegar and a quarter cup of warm water.
Put the paper towel package into water and vinegar mixture.
Conclusion:
Zip the bag closed. The baking soda will slowly release into the water and vinegar mixture. The bag will fill up with carbon dioxide gas and pop with a bang, so make sure you are over a sink or outside!
Have fun!
04.24.11
KOLR-10: Floating Egg Experiment Video (One Of The Science Experiments From The Quirkle Book Density Dan)
Is all water just alike? Try this floating egg science experiment to see!
Objective:
To learn that salt water is denser than fresh water
Materials:
Two clear plastic cups or drinking glasses
* Four tablespoons of table salt
Two raw eggs
Water
Procedure:
Fill both cups three quarters full of water. Add four tablespoons of table salt to one of the cups of water and stir. Add nothing to the other cup. Place one egg in each cup.
Conclusion:
The egg floats in the salt water because it is not as heavy (dense) as the salty water. The egg in the fresh water sinks because it is heavier than the water.
* If the egg does not float, add more salt to the water.
03.18.11
KOLR-10: Green Snot Science Activity Video
Did you know that we swallow over a liter of mucus (snot) a day? Incorporate color mixing in this science activity using food coloring, then mix together glue (polymer), and liquid starch (cross linker) to create your green snot concoction!
Objective:
To learn about polymers by making slime
Materials:
One-fourth cup of school glue gel
One-fourth cup of liquid starch (found in the laundry section at most grocery stores)
Drop of food coloring (any color)
Two plastic bowls
Straw
Stirring stick
Procedure:
Pour school glue into a plastic bowl. Add food coloring. Stir until well blended. Slowly pour the glue mixture into the bowl with liquid starch. Let the mixture sit for approximately five minutes. Remove the concoction from the bowl with your hands and slowly knead it until the glue absorbs most of the starch. It will be very gooey at first, but will slowly become firmer as you knead it. Put a blob of Zany Zeke's bubble slime on the end of a straw and blow it up like a balloon. What fun!
Conclusion:
The glue is a liquid polymer. The tiny molecules in the glue are in strands like a chain. When you add the liquid starch, the strands of the molecules in the glue are held together. This gives the mixture its slimy feel. The starch acts as a cross-linker that links all polymer strands together.
02.11.11
KOLR-10: Fun Color Mixing Activities With Colorful Caroline: Tie Dye Science Video
Learn about color mixing through these simple and cool tie dye color mixing activities. These activities are perfect if you are looking for fun science projects for kids and they are sure to be entertaining for all.
Materials:
Pre-washed white t-shirt or anything made from fabric
Place the plastic cup inside the middle of the t-shirt. Position the opening of the cup directly under the section of the shirt that you want to decorate. Stretch the rubber band over the t-shirt and the cup to secure the shirt in place.
Place about 6 dots of ink from one marker in a circle pattern about the size of a quarter in the center of the stretched out fabric. If you like, use another color marker to fill in spaces in between the first dots. There should be a quarter size circle of dots in the middle of the plastic cup opening when you are finished.
Slowly squeeze approximately 20 drops of rubbing alcohol into the center of the circle of dots. DO NOT flood the design area with rubbing alcohol. The key is to drip the rubbing alcohol slowly in the center of the design and allow the molecules of ink to spread outward from the center. It is important to heat set the colors by placing the shirt in the laundry dryer for approximately 15 minutes. Teachers have also suggested rinsing the shirt in a solution of vinegar and water as a means of setting the colors
Conclusion:
This is a lesson in the concepts of solubility, color mixing, and the movement of molecules. The Sharpie markers contain permanent ink, which will not wash away with water. Permanent ink is hydrophobic, meaning it is not soluble in water. However, the molecules of ink are soluble in another solvent called rubbing alcohol. This solvent carries the different colors of ink with it as it spreads in a circular pattern from the center of the shirt.
01.21.11
KOLR-10: Fun Color Mixing Activities Video With Quirkle Colorful Caroline
Learn about primary and secondary colors through these easy color mixing activities. These activities are perfect if you are looking for fun science projects for kids and they are sure to be entertaining for all.
Materials:
Pinch and Mix Goo (www.stevespangler.com)
Ziptop plastic bag (quart size works best)
Procedure:
Squirt one or two tablespoons of each color goo into the zipper-lock bag. Put one color in each bottom corner and the third color in the bottom middle of the bag.Take care to gently squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing it. Then pinch and mix the goo with your fingers.
Conclusion:
The colors begin to blend from primary to secondary colors! The blue and yellow are becoming green, the red and yellow are turning orange, and the red and blue are blending into purple! Soon your bag will take on a soft, stained-glass effect. What fun!
Watch this introduction to The Quirkles and discover why everyone is talking about these wonderful little scientists and their cool, simple, fun, and, easy science experiments for kids!
