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What Makes the Longest Lasting Bubbles?

For this project, the purpose is to compare three different bubble recipes to find out which recipe makes the longest-lasting bubbles.

This weekend we took advantage of the rainy moments outside and opted to work on our Science Fair Projects. The Science Fair happens here in February and we usually complete our project over Christmas Vacation. This year the project will be Bubble-ology. It is one that Jake did more than a decade ago and we’re eager to see if the results remain as he discovered.

Elmer's Tri-Fold Science Boards come in a variety of sizes and can be found at Walmart

Elmer’s Tri-Fold Science Boards come in a variety of sizes and can be found at Walmart

We headed to Walmart to get the supplies we needed. We have trusted Elmer’s for the past nine years with our Science Fair projects. The Elmer’s  Tri-Fold Science boards are high quality and have held up to the transportation on foot, bus, vehicle, and set up. Elmer’s offers a variety of boards from single mount, bi-fold, and tri-fold. What I especially love is that each of the boards also comes in a variety of sizes. This is a key factor when reviewing the rules of the Science Fair. Schools sometimes have their specifications for the size of the board. My children have gone on to District Level, where we’ve had to redo the board to meet those specifications. Elmer’s has always been there for us in these times.

Two years ago, we used Elmer’s X-TREME Glue. We loved it so much it will be our choice going forward. It offers fast drying, and it has superior bonding. It become our glue when it held hollow eggs without effort.

For this project, the purpose is to compare three different bubble recipes to find out which recipe makes the longest-lasting bubbles.

Jake’s hypothesis was, “If I blow ten bubbles from each bubble recipe and time how long it takes before each bubble pops, I believe the recipe with the soap and water will create the longest-lasting bubbles.”

bubbles floating in air with green background

We compared the following bubble recipes:

Bubble Recipe #1:

1/4 cup Dawn Dish Soap

1 cup water

Bubble Recipe #2: 

1/4 cup Dawn Dish Soap

1 T. sugar

1 Cup Water

Bubble Recipe #3:

1/4 cup Dawn Dish Soap

1 Cup water

1 T. glycerin

We laid a garbage bag on the table and mixed the three formulas in separate containers.

Our constant variables were that we needed to use the same amount of dish soap in each recipe and the same amount of water.

The same brand of dish soap (Dawn) and the temperature of the water must be the same.

The same surface for each formula and the same blower so the bubbles would all be consistent in process and size.

The temperature in the room should be the same, with minimal drafts.

The same timer to time the bubbles.

The independent variable is what we have control of, and that is how much pressure, the volume of air, is put into each bubble.

The dependent variable is how long each bubble will last.

We used the Bubble-ology suggestion found on Elmer’s site.

We did a variation, which we will reveal in full in February.

For now, here is a photo summary:

Spritzing the surface in preparation for the bubbles

Spritzing the surface in preparation for the bubbles

Using a pipe cleaner to blow the bubble

Using a pipe cleaner to blow the bubble

Timing the bubble on the table to see how long it lasts

Timing the bubble on the table to see how long it lasts

The Science Project Log Book

The Science Project Log Book

Preparing to cover the Elmer's Tri-Fold Science Board

Preparing to cover the Elmer’s Tri-Fold Science Board

Completed Science Board: What Makes the Longest Lasting Bubbles

Completed Science Board: What Makes the Longest Lasting Bubbles

Prepare early for the Science Fair. Science Buddies has a great section on Science Fair Project ideas. Once the perfect one has been found, head to Walmart for Elmer’s; from Glue to project boards, Elmer’s has you covered!

 

“This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Elmer’s #gluenglitter #collectivebias #cbias”

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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