1st day: Lava lamp and the properties of the soup

In our very first day, I have carried out two very easy science-experiments. In this way I have started out with what is going to be my personal project at Mlandinki Center Krsko: Science and kids.

The first experiment that I've done is a lava lamp: this experiment is pretty easy and only three things are needed, oil, water and one effervescent pill or tablet. It's quite advisable as well to use food coloring, so that it can be a little bit more impressive.

The first step consist in putting the water into a vessel (a plastic bottle or a long glass are the best options) and later pouring carefully the oil into the same vessel so that bubbles are not created between both phases.

Once this has been done, I've given my first scientic explanation about the density, why the oil is always above the water, and about the chemical nature of both compounds, so that the kids could understand why the oil and the water couldn't get mixed.

I was quite surprised and amazed about how attentive the children were. I don't know why, I had little confidence on myself regarding this issue and I had really thought that they were going to get bored. Specially taking into account the linguistic barrier, that we tried to solve through a consecutive interpreation made by Matic.

After this first explanation I've proceeded to add the food coloring, in this case blue one, and waited a little bit until it has got mixed with the water. Here, I have talked to the children again about the chemical polarity. And as a final step of our chemical lava lamp, one kid has added the effervescent tablets, getting a fizzy effect and watching how the water has gone up through the oil in little bubbles, so that later, once the effect of the tablets was over, it would come down to its original position.

It was pretty awesome looking at the children's faces and seeing how surpised they were.

After finishing this first experiment I've proceeded to explain the chemical properties of soup and why when the oil and the water are stirred alongside soup they finally get mixed. Much to my surprise, the children have liked it, and I evisage a successful project.