Category: DIY Science

Bring more chaos into your life with a Storm in a Jar. It’s a mesmerising maelstrom of fun! What you’ll need A clear round jar with a watertight lid Pearlescent liquid soap or shampoo. The shinier the better! Make sure the soap includes glycol stearate as an ingredient – this is what makes it pearlescent!…

Watch the rise and fall of hot and cold fluids.   What you need Somewhere it’s OK to spill coloured water, like the bathtub or outside 4 identical small, wide-mouthed bottles. Something like baby food jars work well A flat, rigid piece of plastic that is larger than the opening of the bottles, like an…

Create lightning art through the powers of gravity and surface tension.   What you need Watercolour paper (you can get this at an art supply store) Food colouring A clipboard A spray bottle with water Something to catch drips – like a baking tray What to do Put the watercolour paper on the clipboard and…

Build your own electromagnet!   What you need   Thin enamelled copper wire (around 30 cm) A steel nail Sandpaper A battery (D-sized works best) Some paper clips Sticky tape Pliers   Safety warning! The copper wire can get hot if it is connected to the battery for too long. Use the pliers to disconnect…

See how far you can launch a marshmallow using your breath and carboard tubes. What you need One manilla file folder (or other stiff paper or lightweight cardboard) Scissors Masking tape or transparent tape One or more full-sized marshmallows A few spoonfuls of flour Safety Before you launch your marshmallow, make sure that the area…

Can you make bubbles float on an invisible cushion? This beautiful investigation illustrates the principles of buoyancy and semi-permeability. What you need A large, clear container such as a small aquarium or large cooking bowl, use plastic to be safer! Bubble solution—you can use a store-bought solution, or make your own using a bubble mix…

Create your own mini environment and grow some plants. Find out what plants need to survive. What you’ll need 2 clear plastic cups (more if you want to make a few) Sticky tape Cottonwool Alfalfa or rocket seeds Water What to do Gather your materials on a flat surface. Line the bottom of one plastic…

Create sounds that only you can hear with some simple household objects.    What you need Unpainted metal clothes hanger String Scissors A wooden spoon or pen Optional: Once you have tried the coat hanger, you can also try other objects such as a cooling or baking rack, metal tongs and a cool oven rack….

Did you know that acidic oceans can harm sea creatures like crabs and clams? Using things you can find at home, explore what happens to creatures in the sea as our oceans become more acidic due to climate change. What you’ll need Blu Tack At least 2 pieces of eggshell 2 clear plastic cups Vinegar…