fun science experiments Archives - High Touch High Tech

Bag Stab & Polymerization

A plastic bag is made of polymers, long chains of individual molecules called monomers. When a sharp pencil pierces the bag the polymer chains separate without breaking. The chains of molecules then squeeze tightly around the pencil creating a seal that prevents it from leaking.

Polymers
find use in our everyday life, from water bottles and Tupperware to tires for
automobiles. The word polymer
is derived from the Greek root poly-, meaning many, and mer, meaning part or
segment. Many of the same units (or mers) are connected together to form a long
chain or polymer.

Polymers
are of two types: Polymers such as starch, proteins and DNA occur in Nature,
and are called Natural polymers. Synthetic polymers are derived from petroleum
oil and made by scientists and engineers. Examples of synthetic polymers
include nylon and plastic.

Long
repeating chains can be linked together to form a cross-linked polymer, which
may become branched and become a Branched chain polymer. As the degree of cross
linking in the polymer increases, the polymer usually increases in rigidity and
toughness. This is why we see plastics that have different degrees of hardness
from a plastic bag to a hard-plastic baseball bat.

Join our
HTHT @ Home Science Experiment and learn about polymers:

https://sciencemadefun.net/downloads/Bag%20Stab_EOTD_May%2011th.pdf

MEDIEVAL ENGINEERS: THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE CATAPULT

A
catapult is a lever, a stick or beam, propped up by a fulcrum, the pivot point.
The catapult magnifies your force to throw an object. So, you do not need as big
of a force to propel a large object, but the larger the force, the farther it
goes. In ancient times, catapults were used to throw heavy rocks.

Levers
and fulcrums can be used to pick up heavy things like rocks and building
materials. Have you ever used a see-saw? That’s a lever and fulcrum! See if you
can point out which part of your catapult is the lever, and which is the
fulcrum? The craft stick with the spoon is the lever and the stack of other
craft sticks is the fulcrum. The spoon beam pivots around the stack to generate
the force to launch the load. When you press down on the spoon, it pulls up on
the rubber band on the opposite end—this is its potential energy. When the
spoon is released, it pulls back up on the rubber band and the pom pom goes flying!
The potential energy is converted into energy of motion- kinetic energy.
Gravity also does its part as it pulls the object back down to the ground.

Take
it Further:

Try
launching a bouncy ball with your catapult. Compare it with the pom pom. How far
or high did it travel? Did it go as high or far as the catapult?

The
catapult also demonstrates Newton’s 3 Laws of motion:

An object at rest stays at rest until a force is applied, and an object will stay in motion until something creates an imbalance in the motion. (First Law) The acceleration produced when a force is applied depends on the mass of the object. (F = Ma; Second Law) Every action causes an equal and opposite reaction. (Third Law)

The
pom pom will remain at rest until a force acts on it (the release of the spoon
and/or gravity) – First Law

The
bouncy ball will not travel as high or far as the pom pom as the bouncy ball
has more mass than the pom pom and will require a larger force to travel the
same distance and speed as the pom pom – Second Law (Force = Mass X
Acceleration)

When
the spoon is pushed down, the load (pom pom or bouncy ball) travels upward- in
the opposite direction equal to the force applied on it. (Third Law of
Action-Reaction)

A catapult is a simple machine that has been around for ages. Have your kids dig up a little history and research when the first catapults were invented and used! Hint; check out the 17th century!

Join our HTHT @ Home Science Experiment to make your own Catapult: https://sciencemadefun.net/downloads/Catapult_EOTD_May%206th.pdf

Pumpkin Science on National Pumpkin Day!

pumpkin-1004950_1920 — Image Source: Pixabay.com

It’s that time of year again where the leaves are changing colors, little graveyards are popping up in neighborhoods and millions of pumpkins are going through a metamorphosis to become jack-o’-lanterns. It’s Halloween time!

There are some interesting facts and science about the pumpkin. In history, it was said that the jack-o-lantern was to fend of any evil spirits. Of course, there is no science of any kind to back up evil spirits being chased away by jack-o’-lanterns. BUT, scientists have found that pumpkins have a lot of science associated with them.

Here are some examples:

pumpkin-696336_1920 — Image Source: Pixabay.com

Pollution Plucker

Scientists have found that pumpkins are incredibly good at taking pollution out of soil! When the scientists planted pumpkins on test areas polluted by dioxin, the large pumpkin plants pulled up the dioxin and deposited it into the plant. Leaving less of the pollutant in the soil and ultimately making the soil pollutant free!

squash-1682652_1920 — Image Source: Pixabay.com

Pumpkin Antimicrobial

Scientists from the American Chemical Society found that a substance in pumpkin skin fights off disease-causing microbes that try to harm and rot the pumpkin. Without that protective skin, the pumpkin would surely rot long before it was time to carve it. Later, scientists took out proteins from the pumpkin skins, and found that the proteins stopped not only infections in pumpkins but also some common human infections!

pumpkins-1572864_1920 — Image Source: Pixabay.com

Pumpkin Genetics

Growing the biggest pumpkin has become a popular sport among some farmers — it takes some science for the farmer to grow that monster pumpkin! They use genetics in order to grow bigger pumpkins. They do this by collecting the seeds from giant pumpkins each year and controlling how the flowers are pollinated. Winning pumpkins have weighed in at more than 2,000 pounds!

Check out the world’s heaviest pumpkin here: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/worlds-heaviest-pumpkin-tips-scales-2-096-pounds-n213846

For some fun at home pumpkin science experiments to try with your kids,

please visit our Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/hthtworldwide/fall-fun-science/

Hurricane Science – Explaining Storms to Children!

hurricane-lili-1060388_1280 — Image Source: Pixabay.com

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a huge tropical storm! It can be hundreds of miles across and have strong winds spiraling inward and upward at speeds of 75 to 200 mph. For instance, at peak intensity Hurricane Matthew was a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.

What makes a hurricane special is that it rotates around the “eye” of the storm, which is the calmest part. Hurricanes rotate in a counter-clockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere. You need three things for a hurricane to form: warm water, cooler air, and wind.

Typically, hurricanes form over warm ocean waters of at least 80°F. That combined with the cooler atmosphere (the air) of early Fall sets things up for a hurricane. Add into that, wind that’s blowing in the same direction and at the same speed, forcing air upward from the ocean surface. The winds flow outward above the storm allowing the air below to rise. Hurricanes typically form between 5 to 15 degrees latitude north and south of the equator. The Coriolis Force gives hurricanes that special spin you see! Atlantic hurricanes typically occur between June and November. Hurricane Matthew is the first Category 5 Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Felix in 2007.

How are Hurricanes Classified?

Hurricanes are classified into five categories, based on their wind speeds and potential to cause damage.

Category 1: Winds 75-95 mph with minimal damage

Category 2: Winds 96-110 mph with moderate damage

Category 3: Winds 111-130 mph with extensive damage

Category 4: Winds 131-155 mph with extreme damage

Category 5: Winds 155+ mph with catastrophic damage

Sometimes a hurricane will start with a high classification of Category 5 but then drop once it hits land. For instance, Hurricane Matthew started off as a Category 5 but was considered Category 4 once it made landfall in Florida. Once a hurricane hits land it loses strength i.e. decreases in category because of cool temperatures, a lack of moisture, and/or friction. Moisture is what fuels a hurricane!

What are some Famous Hurricanes?

1992 – Hurricane Andrew – Category 5

1999- Hurricane Floyd – Category 2

2005- Hurricane Katrina – Category 5

2012- Hurricane Sandy – Category 3

2016- Hurricane Matthew – Category 5/4

Check out this cool video! Make a hurricane in a bowl at home with your children!

Sources:

https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/hurricane-matthew-by-the-numbers

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-hurricane.htm

HTHT of Oakland County, Michigan – “Science Made Fun” Camps Offer Kids A “Stay-cation”

conduit circle — Students and teachers create a circle by holding hands in order to act as a conduit to pass current from a small battery to illuminate a light bulb

Last week, High Touch High Tech of Oakland County, Michigan gave the students in Birmingham Schools a FUN option for their mid-winter break. While some kids left town for a vacation, the ones that didn’t enjoyed a hands-on science “stay-cation.” Students from all over the Birmingham School district gathered at Berkshire Middle School for High Touch High Tech’s “Science Made Fun” camps. The Kindergarten – 5th grade students became scientists for the week, exploring the solar system, electricity, the laws of motion, dinosaurs and even chemistry!

plasma ball — During Shockme Day, students get to use their hands to direct the flow of electricity in a Plasma Ball.

“Science Made Fun” camps give students the opportunity to experience interactive, fun and exciting science first hand. The kids were so excited about High Touch High Tech’s week long camp that on Monday, despite the heavy snow storm, more than 90% of scheduled students found a way to make it to school!

Tuesday had full attendance. It was Shockmee Day as students experimented with static electricity and electric currents. Wednesday was Pushing and Pulling Day, as students experimented with the three laws of motion and how to lift objects with little effort. Thursday was Going Crazy for Dinos as students learned about fossils and bones and facts from the past. Friday was Mix Me Up Day as students made chemical reactions explode — some with shocking results.

shockme science camp — HTHT Scientists work with students on an experiment using a battery to ring a bell on Shockme Science Day

If you live in the Oakland County area & want to have your own High Touch High Tech program or summer camp – check out their website & contact info below:

www.ScienceMadeFunOAK.net

Phone: 248.926.5500

Email: info@ScienceMadeFunOAK.net