Skip to Content

Science Experiments Aren’t Just For Science Fairs

3 Science Experiments for Summer Exploration

We love Science projects at our house. They indulge our creativity, help us problem solve and build great foundations for learning. Science Experiments fill the gap in our Summer. They bounce us back from the “I’m bored” mode and into a world of fun.

While these 3 simple but fun science experiments would be hits at science fairs: the backyard rocket launcher, the egg squeezer, and how to produce carbon dioxide, they also double as some great summer fun.

Looking for awesome science fair projects that will leave other kids goggle eyed and entertain your kiddos? You can, with just a few materials that are easily available at home.

Backyard Rocket Launcher

You’ll need:

A Styrofoam plate
A toilet paper tube
Marker pens

Tape
Camera film canister
Vinegar
Baking soda
(or *Alka-Seltzer tablets and water)

Directions:
1.  Use the markers to make your own design on the toilet paper tube. This will be your rocket launcher.
2. Tape the rocket launcher to the center of the Styrofoam plate.
3. Then make your very own rocket fuel by putting 1 tablespoon of vinegar in the film canister.
4. Hold the canister near the launcher and add ½ teaspoon of baking soda.
5. Quickly snap on the lid and drop the canister into the launcher, lid side down.
*Alternatively, put 1 tablespoon of water into the canister then add half an Alka-Seltzer tablet and quickly snap on the lid.
6 Drop the film canister into the launcher, lid side down, then stand back! The rocket will launch in 10-20 seconds. (If the rocket doesn’t launch, wait at least a minute before checking.)

The Egg Squeezer

This experiment will show the principle that heat causes most solids and liquids to expand, and cooling causes them to contract.

You will need: 

A peeled, hard-boiled egg
A long-necked bottle with opening that is slightly smaller than the egg
3 matches

Directions:

1. Place the long-necked bottle on your kitchen table (or any table free from flammable debris).
2. Light 3 matches and drop them all at once (not one at a time) into the bottle.
3.  Quickly put an egg on top of the bottle opening.

The egg will be sucked into the bottle.

How It Works:

The lighted matches heated the air, causing it to expand. When the matches are extinguished, the air contracts as it cools. This lowers the pressure inside the bottle than on the outside. A lower pressure is created within the bottle, than on the outside. The pressure outside the bottle causes the egg to get sucked into the bottle.

How to Produce Carbon Dioxide

This simple experiment shows that mixing an acid and a base triggers a chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide.

You will need:

A clear plastic or glass container
Water
Vinegar
Baking soda
Food coloring
Raisins or cereals

Directions:

1. Fill the container almost to the brim with 3 parts water and one part vinegar. Be sure to leave some room at the top of the container.
2. Slowly add one teaspoon of baking soda. Putting the baking soda all at once and too quickly will make the liquids bubble over the top.
3. When the bubbles settle down, slowly add a second teaspoon of baking soda.
4.  When the bubbles settle, add a few drops of food coloring.

Now comes the fun part.

5. Find some items, like raisins, rice, or cereal. Drop in a few of the first item. They will sink to the bottom, but after a few minutes they will rise to the surface, then sink again. Try the rice, and watch it dance! If the movement seems to be slowing down, add another teaspoon of baking soda.

How It Works:

What has happened? The vinegar is an acid and the baking soda is a base. When you combine them, a chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide bubbles build up on the surface of the object. When enough bubbles attach to it, the object floats to the surface and releases the gas. Then it sinks back to the bottom to start the process again.

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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.
error: Content is protected !!