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
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.”
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
Using a pipe cleaner to blow the bubble
Timing the bubble on the table to see how long it lasts
The Science Project Log Book
Preparing to cover the Elmer’s Tri-Fold Science Board
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”