This weeks post is perfect for project leaders & agents! STEM is one of our fastest growing projects and seems to always be a hit with youth of all ages. If you were lucky enough to attend 4-H Summit in Brownwood, this will look very familiar. One of my favorite sessions from the Summit was Justin Saenz’s session on Halloween STEM Experiments. If I remember correctly, Justin used these experiments as part of a monthly STEM night program. These specific experiments were part of his Halloween themed night. You could rename and them and add a totally new theme!
He shared the following EASY STEM activities and resources:
Creepy Erupting Bubbles (I call them Brain Bubbles)
- 9oz punch cup
- Dry Ice
- Bubble mixture (2 Tablespoon Dawn Soap with 4 oz water [add glycerin for stronger bubbles])
Experiment Directions:
Fill the 9oz cup half way with warm water, add “some” Bubble mixture and small piece of dry ice. Small bubbles will start to erupt from the top, **If you wear cotton mittens, you can hold the bubbles
Dry Ice Crystal Ball Bubble
- 9oz punch cup
- Dry Ice
- Cloth string
- Bubble mixture (2 Tablespoon Dawn Soap with 4 oz water [add glycerin for stronger bubbles])
Experiment Directions:
Fill cup half way with warm water and small piece of Dry Ice. Take the Cloth String and dip in Bubble solution. Glide string over the opening of the cup to form a bubble. Allow time for the bubble to fill and it will eventually ‘pop’ **If you wear cotton mittens, you can hold the bubbles
Boo Bubbles
- Water bottle (I had 8oz bottle in my office)
- Aquarium tubing
- Dry Ice
- Bubble Mixture
Experiment Directions:
Prep Water bottle: Using the pointed end of scissors in a twisting motion, create a hole in the lid of the bottle and stick a piece of Aquarium tubing 8” to 10”
Fill water bottle half way with warm water and add a small piece of Dry Ice. Screw lid on with Aquarium tubing. Dip the end of the aquarium tubing into the Bubble Solution. A bubble will start to form from the trapped CO2 gas. **If you wear cotton mittens, you can hold the bubbles
If you would like to purchase the professional kits they are from Steve Spangler Science:
- The Ultimate Dry Ice Science Kit $119.99 https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/store/the-ultimate-dry-ice-science-kit.html
- Halloween Science Party $109.99 https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/store/halloween-science-party.html
The kits are okay, most of what is in them can be easily recreated/purchased. I personally like the Slime kit from Steve Spangler, just for the ease of having only two ingredients.
https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/store/atomic-shaker-slime.html
Other Kid Friendly Science Experiments (Facebook Video)
https://www.facebook.com/justin.saenz/posts/10220563938278394
-Bailee