Level: Daisy

• Drinking glass

• 3 funnels

• 24 pencils

• Measuring cups (1c, ¼ c)

• 3 boxes of food coloring

• Measuring spoons (2-1tbsp,1-1tsp, 2-1/2 tsp, 2-1/4 tsp, 2-1/8 tsp)

• 5 pens

• 10 scissors

• 2 droppers

• 100 pennies

In order to be a scientist, we must understand how to think like a scientist. Before we do an experiment, we must first ask the question: "Why are we doing this?" Before we test each one, we should make a prediction of what we think will happen. Scientists call this a hypothesis. Then, after the experiment is over, we should look to see if our predictions were right. If not, we need to ask ourselves why not. Let’s begin!

What you’ll need:

1. How many pennies do you think we can slip into an already full glass of water? Take the girls’ estimates, write them down if you wish, then continue.

2. Fill the glass to the top with water, then add a few drops of one color food coloring and set the glass on top of the white sheet of paper.

3. Add pennies, one at a time, by slowing sliding them over the edge and into the cup. Make sure you and the girls are counting.

4. Look for the bulge at the surface of the water, this is called surface tension.

5. Stop when the water drips over the edge.

6. How many pennies were you able to put in the cup? Was anyone right?

Who has ever watched Scooby-Doo? Did you know that Velma, Shaggy, Scooby, Fred, & Daphne are all types of scientists? As detectives, they all asked questions and followed clues to solve the mysteries. Sometimes they would decode a secret message. Today we are going to learn how to make our own secret messages and then we will learn how to decode them!

What you’ll need:

1. Explain to the girls that we will be using capillary action to decode our messages. Here’s a riddle: "What gets wetter the more it dries?" Answer - A towel. The towel dries through capillary action.

2. Each girl will cut a piece of paper into an artistic shape, with parts that can be curled. For example a star or flower shape. Adults should help the girls with the scissors if they need it.

3. Use the waterproof pen to write or draw a secret message inside the parts that will be curled, which on a star would be the "arms". Help the girls with spelling if needed.

4. Tightly curl the paper around a pencil or similar item, writing side in, so that the message is hidden.

5. Gently set the paper on the water’s surface and observe the action.

6. Water just loves to fill the spaces between paper fibers. Once filled with water, the paper becomes stiff, forcing the curls to unroll and reveal your message.

Being a scientist is sometimes hard work, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun.

What you’ll need:

Split into groups of about 5 girls. Each group will need a facilitator or helper.

Each group will need the following items.

CAUTION: If inhaled the powder inside the diaper can irritate the nose, so do not inhale the powder or get it into your eyes. Wash hands after touching.

Girls can help with each step, however facilitator should do the cutting.

1. Use a pair of scissors to cut off the paper or plastic edges around the entire diaper.

2. Place the padded middle part of the diaper into the Zip Loc bag.

3. Reach into the bag with both hands and separate the cotton, paper, and plastic layers of the diaper. Leave all material in the bag.

4. Seal the bag and shake it for about 1 minute. Look at the bottom of the bag as you tilt it to one side. You should notice white granules colleting in the corner of the bag.

5. Now, without opening the bag, move the cotton, plastic or other large materials toward the top of the bag. Keep the materials up there as you shake the bag again. This will allow the granules to fall down to the bottom without getting picked up by the cotton again.

6. After you have about ½ teaspoon of granules in the corner of the bag, slowly open the bag and remove the large pieces of material. Throw them away.

7. Now carefully pour the granules into the small cup.

8. Everyone should now wash their hands.

9. Place about ¼ cup of water into the small cup. Add two or three drops of one color of food coloring and swirl to mix.

10. Place a small amount of the powder, about 1/8 teaspoon, onto the center of the paper towel.

11. Using the dropper, add one drop of the colored water to the granules on the towel. Continue adding one drop at a time and observe what happens. What do the granules appear to be doing? How many drops do you think can be added before the water spreads out much on the paper towel?

12. Take the rest of your granules and pour them into a clear plastic cup. Show the girls what a tablespoon looks like and have them predict the number of tablespoons of water the granules can gel. Now try it by adding one tablespoon of water at a time.

13. What happened? Was your prediction right?

The granules on the paper towel can often absorb over 100 drops before spreading much on the towel. This amazing powder, scientifically called sodium ployacrylate, is considered to be a super-absorbent polymer because it can absorb hundreds of times its weight in water!

What you’ll need (per participant):

• 2 paper cups and one extra for each girl

• 1 paper plate

• Small Funnel (shared)

• Masking Tape

• ¼ cup baking soda

• ¼ cup vinegar

• 4-6 drops red food coloring

1. Fill the bottom of one small paper cup with ¼ cup baking soda and set it aside on a plate.

2. Place 4-6 drops of food coloring on top of the baking soda.

3. Poke a hole, about the size of a dime, in the bottom of the second paper cup.

4. Place the second paper cup upside down over the paper cup filled with baking soda. Tape together.

5. Fill each girl’s extra paper cup ¼ - ½ full with vinegar.

6. Using the funnel, have girls pour the vinegar into the hole until the volcano begins to erupt. The more vinegar you pour into the hole, the more foam the volcano will erupt.

Review:

This page last edited on Monday October 30, 2006.

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