Schoolin' With My Homies: Winter science experiments

  

My adventures in homeschooling my kiddos.

Here are some really fun winter themed science experiments!

Snowstorm in a jar

Materials: 

A clear jar with a lid 

Baby oil or vegetable oil 

White paint 

Water 

Alka-Seltzer tablets - Glitter (optional) 

Instructions: 

1. Fill the Jar: Fill the jar about three-quarters full with baby oil or vegetable oil. 

2. Mix the Paint: In a separate container, mix a small amount of white paint with water. You want it to be a bit runny, so it can mix well with the oil. 

3. Add the Paint Mixture: Pour the paint mixture into the jar with the oil. Leave some space at the top. 

4. Add Glitter (Optional): If you want to add some sparkle to your snowstorm, sprinkle a bit of glitter into the jar. 

5. Drop the Alka-Seltzer: Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into smaller pieces and drop them into the jar. Watch as the reaction creates a snowstorm effect! 

How It Works: 

The Alka-Seltzer reacts with the water to create bubbles of carbon dioxide. These bubbles carry the paint mixture up through the oil, creating the appearance of a snowstorm. When the bubbles reach the top, they release the gas and the paint mixture falls back down, creating a continuous cycle.

Exploding snowman

Materials: 

A sandwich-sized ziplock bag 

Baking soda 

Vinegar 

A tissue or paper towel  

A black marker 

An orange triangle cut from construction paper (for the nose) 

Two small stick arms (optional) 

A small amount of water 

Instructions: 

1. Decorate the Bag: Use the black marker to draw the snowman's face and buttons on the front of the ziplock bag. Attach the orange triangle to make the nose. You can also add the stick arms if you like. 

2. Prepare the Baking Soda: Place about 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda in the center of a tissue or paper towel. Fold it up into a small packet. 

3. Add the Vinegar: Pour about 1/2 cup of vinegar into the ziplock bag. Add a small amount of water if you want to dilute the vinegar a bit. 

4. Combine and Seal: Quickly add the baking soda packet to the bag, seal it tightly, and shake it a little to start the reaction. 

5. Step Back: Place the bag on the ground and step back. Watch as the bag inflates and eventually pops, creating an "exploding" snowman! 

How It Works: 

The baking soda and vinegar react to produce carbon dioxide gas. This gas builds up inside the sealed bag, causing it to inflate and eventually burst.

Salt crystal snowflakes

Materials: 

Pipe cleaners 

String 

Pencil or stick 

Glass jar 

Salt 

Water 

Scissors 

Instructions: 

1. Shape the Snowflake: Twist the pipe cleaners into a snowflake shape. You can make a simple star shape or get creative with more intricate designs. 

2. Attach the String: Tie a piece of string to one end of the snowflake. Attach the other end of the string to a pencil or stick. This will help suspend the snowflake in the jar. 

3. Prepare the Solution: Boil some water and pour it into the glass jar. Add salt to the water, stirring continuously until no more salt will dissolve (you'll see some salt at the bottom of the jar). This creates a saturated solution. 

4. Submerge the Snowflake: Place the snowflake into the jar, ensuring it is fully submerged in the solution and not touching the sides or bottom of the jar. Rest the pencil or stick across the top of the jar to hold the snowflake in place. 

5. Wait for Crystals to Form: Leave the jar in a place where it won't be disturbed. Over the next few hours to days, crystals will start to form on the pipe cleaners as the water evaporates.

How It Works: 

As the water evaporates, the salt particles in the saturated solution start to crystallize and cling to the pipe cleaners. This forms beautiful, sparkly crystals that look like snowflakes.

Instant Ice

Materials: 

Bottled water (purified or distilled works best) 

Freezer 

Ice cubes 

A bowl or plate 

Instructions: 

1. Chill the Water: Place the bottled water in the freezer. You want to leave it in there for about 2 to 2.5 hours. The goal is to get the water supercooled, which means it is below freezing temperature but hasn't turned into ice yet. 

Check the water after 2 hours and then every 15 minutes until it's ready. It should still be liquid but very cold. 

2. Prepare the Ice: While the water is chilling, fill a bowl or plate with ice cubes. 3. Trigger the Ice Formation: Once the water is supercooled, carefully remove it from the freezer. Gently pour the supercooled water over the ice cubes in the bowl or plate. The water will instantly freeze as it comes into contact with the ice cubes. 

How It Works: 

Supercooled water is in a liquid state below its normal freezing point. When it comes into contact with ice or another nucleation point, it rapidly crystallizes into ice.

Fake snow

Method 1: 

Baking Soda and Conditioner 

Materials: 

Baking soda 

White hair conditioner 

Instructions: 

1. Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, mix 3 cups of baking soda with 1/2 cup of white hair conditioner.

2. Combine: Stir the mixture until it has a snow-like consistency. You can add more conditioner if you want the snow to be softer or more baking soda if you want it to be more powdery. 

Method 2: 

Baking Soda and Water 

Materials:

Baking soda 

Water 

Instructions: 

1. Mix Ingredients: Pour a box of baking soda into a bowl. 

2. Add Water: Slowly add water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing well until you achieve a snow-like consistency. Be careful not to add too much water at once. 

Method 3: 

Cornstarch and Shaving Cream 

Materials: 

Cornstarch 

Shaving cream 

Instructions: 

1. Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, combine equal parts cornstarch and shaving cream. 

2. Combine: Mix until it forms a fluffy, snow-like texture.  

Method 4: 

Diaper Filling 

Materials: 

Disposable diapers 

Water 

Instructions: 

1. Extract Polymer: Cut open a disposable diaper and remove the absorbent polymer inside. 

2. Add Water: Place the polymer in a bowl and slowly add water. The polymer will absorb the water and expand, creating a snow-like substance.

Erupting Snow

Materials: 

Baking soda 

Shaving cream

Vinegar 

Glitter (optional, for extra sparkle) 

A large bowl or tray 

Instructions: 

1. Make the Snow: In a large bowl, mix together about 2 cups of baking soda with a generous amount of shaving cream. The mixture should have a snow-like texture that you can mold with your hands. If it’s too dry, add more shaving cream; if it’s too wet, add more baking soda. - 

Optionally, you can add glitter to the mixture to make it sparkle. 

2. Prepare for the Eruption: Once your snow is ready, form it into a mound or any shape you like on a tray or in a large bowl. Create a small well or crater in the center of your snow mound. 

3. Erupt the Snow: - Pour vinegar into the well or crater you made in the snow. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, causing it to fizz and bubble, creating an "eruption." 

How It Works: 

The chemical reaction between the baking soda (a base) and the vinegar (an acid) produces carbon dioxide gas, which creates the fizzing and bubbling effect. This mimics a volcanic eruption but with a snowy twist!