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Science

Beaker Creatures Planet Experiments!

It's time to experiment and explore! Each Beaker Creature family comes from their own planet, filled with distinct features and environments! Nick Uhas took on the challenge of conducting experiments relating to each of the 5 Beaker Creature planets and is sharing his results with us! Which experiment is your favorite?

PLANET GREEN SPACE

Beaker Creatures Experiments
On both the planet Green Space (home of Gnate), AND on planet Earth, plants experience capillary action. Basically, the flowers can drink water even with opposition from gravity! Let’s try it out!
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
White flowers
Food coloring of your choice
4-6 clear containers (depending how many flowers you’d like to make)
Water
Beaker Creatures World Experiments
WHAT TO DO
Pour water into each of the clear containers, about half full. Drop food coloring choices into the water.
Cut each of the flower stems at a diagonal and pull off the leaves.Beaker Creatures Experiments
Place your flowers into the containers with the water and coloring!Beaker Creatures Experiments
Allow it to sit for at least 24 hrs!
Witness capillary action!
 

PLANET STARUS

Beaker Creatures Experiments
 
Welcome to the planet of Starus! Here we will learn about the earth’s rotation around the sun by making our own at home sundial! 
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
Paper plate
Pencil
Ruler
Playdough
Plastic straw
 
Beaker Creatures Experiments
WHAT TO DO
Place the paper plate face down and stick the play-dough right in the center of the plate.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
Write “12” with the pencil on top of the paper plate and, with the ruler, draw a straight line from the 12 to the playdough ball in the center of your plate.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
Take the plastic straw, stick it in the center of the playdough and point it towards the 12 right over that line you drew.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
Right at NOON, go outside, place your sundial on flat ground and line up the shadow of the plastic straw right on the 12.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiments
Check it every 15 minutes and watch as the shadow moves around the plate! 
Enjoy your at home sundial!
 
  

PLANET ICE DOME

Beaker Creatures Experiments
 
Welcome to ICE DOME, home of the Frostonions! Ever wonder how to freeze a water bottle on COMMAND?! No, it’s not magic… IT’S SCIENCE! This one is all about timing and temperature, but when done properly, you’ll be able to pour water into the solid form of ice thanks to it’s supercool temperature! When the water is just cold enough but not frozen, there’s the sweet spot. 
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
PURIFIED Water (16.9 FL oz bottle, sealed, is easiest)
Freezer
Little bowl
Ice cubes
WHAT TO DO
Take the purified water bottle, unopened, and place it horizontal in your freezer.
 
Beaker Creature Experiment
 
Leave the water bottle on it’s side in your freezer for approximately 2hrs and 40 minutes. While the water is freezing, set up your other items.
One small bowl with a few ice cubes in it is great for pouring icicles on top of the cubes. (One of my favorite parts of this experiment) (Also, don’t put the ice cubes out until a few minutes before you’ll remove the water bottle from the freezer.)
 
Beaker Creature Experiment
 
Keeping the bottle horizontal, take the bottle out of the freezer and to your designated experiment area.
With the ice cubes in the little bowl, slowly pour the ‘supercooled water’ onto the top and watch icebergs form!
 
Beaker Creature Experiment 
  

PLANET BIG ROCK

Beaker Creatures Experiments
 
Welcome to Big Rock, home of the Minisaurus! Who doesn’t love watching crystals form
Even better… SUGAR crystals! 
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
Jars
Pencil or wooden sticks
Twine
Cane sugar
Food coloring
Pitcher of water
Microwave safe container
Microwave
Hot pads for your hands
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
WHAT TO DO
Pour three cups of sugar and two cups of water into a microwave safe container. Stir!
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Put into the microwave for 2 minutes. Using hot pads, take the hot concoction out of the microwave, and stir again! CAREFULLY remove from the microwave, using the hot pads, and stir again. The sugar water should be near boiling. (If you’d like to add food coloring, you can at this point.)
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Once back at your designated experiment location with the mixture, take out your jar and wooden stick/pencil. Wrap the twine around the wooden stick and dip a few inches of it into the sugar water mixture.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Remove the twine and stick and place to dry on the parchment paper.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Pour the mixture into the glass jar. Wait for it to cool to room temperature.Once the mixture is cooled, hang the twine into the jar, the wooden stick acting as a beam to hold it up.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Wait one week and watch the crystals form! (Oh yeah, and you can eat the rock candy too!) 
 
  

PLANET OCEAN ORB

Beaker Creatures Experiments
 
Welcome to the home of the Oceanites! On the planet of Ocean Orb, we decided to have fun with different liquids’ densities! This one can be messy and is always beautiful.
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
Large glass vase
Honey
Corn syrup
100% maple syrup
Whole milk
Dish soap
Water
Vegetable oil
Rubbing alcohol
Lamp oil
9 cups
Turkey baster
Food coloring
A bolt
A popcorn kernel
A cherry tomato
Soda bottle cap
 
WHAT TO DO
Set out all 9 cups. Pour the same amount of each of the liquids into each of the cups.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Feel free to add food coloring to the water, rubbing alcohol or dish soap.Set out your large glass vase.One at a time, starting with the honey, slowly and carefully pour in the liquids without getting any on the side.Pour them in, in the order listed above.Once you get to the water, use the turkey baster to gently pour the liquid down the side of the vase.Once all the liquids are in, you will see a rainbow of densities!One by one drop in the objects and see which sink and which float!
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment 
 
Save it for later! See this #AmazonGiveaway for a chance to win: Learning Resources Beaker Creatures Reactor Pods, 6 Pack.https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/94ab5b5746061ab1 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends the earlier of Jan 16, 2019 11:59 PM PST, or when all prizes are claimed. See Official Rules http://amzn.to/GArules.
 
Beaker Experiment
Beaker Creatures Planet Experiments!
It's time to experiment and explore! Each Beaker Creature family comes from their own planet, filled with distinct features and environments! Nick Uhas took on the challenge of conducting experiments relating to each of the 5 Beaker Creature planets and is sharing his results with us! Which experiment is your favorite?

PLANET GREEN SPACE

Beaker Creatures Experiments
On both the planet Green Space (home of Gnate), AND on planet Earth, plants experience capillary action. Basically, the flowers can drink water even with opposition from gravity! Let’s try it out!
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
White flowers
Food coloring of your choice
4-6 clear containers (depending how many flowers you’d like to make)
Water
Beaker Creatures World Experiments
WHAT TO DO
Pour water into each of the clear containers, about half full. Drop food coloring choices into the water.
Cut each of the flower stems at a diagonal and pull off the leaves.Beaker Creatures Experiments
Place your flowers into the containers with the water and coloring!Beaker Creatures Experiments
Allow it to sit for at least 24 hrs!
Witness capillary action!
 

PLANET STARUS

Beaker Creatures Experiments
 
Welcome to the planet of Starus! Here we will learn about the earth’s rotation around the sun by making our own at home sundial! 
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
Paper plate
Pencil
Ruler
Playdough
Plastic straw
 
Beaker Creatures Experiments
WHAT TO DO
Place the paper plate face down and stick the play-dough right in the center of the plate.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
Write “12” with the pencil on top of the paper plate and, with the ruler, draw a straight line from the 12 to the playdough ball in the center of your plate.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
Take the plastic straw, stick it in the center of the playdough and point it towards the 12 right over that line you drew.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
Right at NOON, go outside, place your sundial on flat ground and line up the shadow of the plastic straw right on the 12.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiments
Check it every 15 minutes and watch as the shadow moves around the plate! 
Enjoy your at home sundial!
 
  

PLANET ICE DOME

Beaker Creatures Experiments
 
Welcome to ICE DOME, home of the Frostonions! Ever wonder how to freeze a water bottle on COMMAND?! No, it’s not magic… IT’S SCIENCE! This one is all about timing and temperature, but when done properly, you’ll be able to pour water into the solid form of ice thanks to it’s supercool temperature! When the water is just cold enough but not frozen, there’s the sweet spot. 
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
PURIFIED Water (16.9 FL oz bottle, sealed, is easiest)
Freezer
Little bowl
Ice cubes
WHAT TO DO
Take the purified water bottle, unopened, and place it horizontal in your freezer.
 
Beaker Creature Experiment
 
Leave the water bottle on it’s side in your freezer for approximately 2hrs and 40 minutes. While the water is freezing, set up your other items.
One small bowl with a few ice cubes in it is great for pouring icicles on top of the cubes. (One of my favorite parts of this experiment) (Also, don’t put the ice cubes out until a few minutes before you’ll remove the water bottle from the freezer.)
 
Beaker Creature Experiment
 
Keeping the bottle horizontal, take the bottle out of the freezer and to your designated experiment area.
With the ice cubes in the little bowl, slowly pour the ‘supercooled water’ onto the top and watch icebergs form!
 
Beaker Creature Experiment 
  

PLANET BIG ROCK

Beaker Creatures Experiments
 
Welcome to Big Rock, home of the Minisaurus! Who doesn’t love watching crystals form
Even better… SUGAR crystals! 
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
Jars
Pencil or wooden sticks
Twine
Cane sugar
Food coloring
Pitcher of water
Microwave safe container
Microwave
Hot pads for your hands
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
WHAT TO DO
Pour three cups of sugar and two cups of water into a microwave safe container. Stir!
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Put into the microwave for 2 minutes. Using hot pads, take the hot concoction out of the microwave, and stir again! CAREFULLY remove from the microwave, using the hot pads, and stir again. The sugar water should be near boiling. (If you’d like to add food coloring, you can at this point.)
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Once back at your designated experiment location with the mixture, take out your jar and wooden stick/pencil. Wrap the twine around the wooden stick and dip a few inches of it into the sugar water mixture.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Remove the twine and stick and place to dry on the parchment paper.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Pour the mixture into the glass jar. Wait for it to cool to room temperature.Once the mixture is cooled, hang the twine into the jar, the wooden stick acting as a beam to hold it up.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Wait one week and watch the crystals form! (Oh yeah, and you can eat the rock candy too!) 
 
  

PLANET OCEAN ORB

Beaker Creatures Experiments
 
Welcome to the home of the Oceanites! On the planet of Ocean Orb, we decided to have fun with different liquids’ densities! This one can be messy and is always beautiful.
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
Large glass vase
Honey
Corn syrup
100% maple syrup
Whole milk
Dish soap
Water
Vegetable oil
Rubbing alcohol
Lamp oil
9 cups
Turkey baster
Food coloring
A bolt
A popcorn kernel
A cherry tomato
Soda bottle cap
 
WHAT TO DO
Set out all 9 cups. Pour the same amount of each of the liquids into each of the cups.
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment
 
Feel free to add food coloring to the water, rubbing alcohol or dish soap.Set out your large glass vase.One at a time, starting with the honey, slowly and carefully pour in the liquids without getting any on the side.Pour them in, in the order listed above.Once you get to the water, use the turkey baster to gently pour the liquid down the side of the vase.Once all the liquids are in, you will see a rainbow of densities!One by one drop in the objects and see which sink and which float!
 
Beaker Creatures Experiment 
 
Save it for later! See this #AmazonGiveaway for a chance to win: Learning Resources Beaker Creatures Reactor Pods, 6 Pack.https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/94ab5b5746061ab1 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends the earlier of Jan 16, 2019 11:59 PM PST, or when all prizes are claimed. See Official Rules http://amzn.to/GArules.
 
Beaker Experiment
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The Science Behind Popcorn!

Everyone’s favorite snack is actually a scientific example of physical change. Popcorn itself wasn’t really invented, but discovered, and might have very well been at the first Thanksgiving feast. Let’s look a little deeper into this delicious discovery!

So What Makes Popcorn Pop?

Popcorn ScienceGood zea mays everta, or popcorn kernels, seem dry and firm in plain sight. But inside each kernel is a tiny droplet of water surrounded by a hard shell called a hull. Popcorn can be heated by hot oil, air, or a microwave.The heat turns that water droplet into steam, building pressure inside the hull. Then – POP! – the hull can no longer keep in the pressure and the kernel explodes. The popping sound you hear is due to the rapid escape of water from the kernel.

Why Do Some Kernels Not Pop?

Simply put, there isn’t enough water in the kernel. A water droplet has to be present for that steam pressure to build up. Sometimes kernels are old and stale, or they become scorched during cooking.Popcorn Science

All this popcorn talk has us hungry.

Below is a playful recipe for colorful popcorn balls to share with your hungry little scientists. As you make them, explain the science behind what makes popcorn pop. You can also teach your little ones basic color recognition with this rainbow treat!You will need:¾ cup light corn syrup¼ cup butter3 cups powdered sugar1 cup marshmallows2 teaspoons water2 teaspoons vanilla1/8 teaspoon salt20 cups of popped cornFood coloring of your choicePopcorn SciencePop your corn any way you choose. Over the stovetop is this household’s choice, but any way will work. If you choose to microwave, 20 cups is about three bags.PopcornSeparate your popcorn evenly into how many food coloring choices you want. Here, there are six bowls uniformly distributed in order to make a rainbow.PopcornCombine the corn syrup, butter, powdered sugar, marshmallows, water, vanilla, and salt together over medium-high heat. Keep the mixture moving and bring to a slow boil.PopcornFor adults only: Carefully pour the mixture evenly into each bowl of popcorn. The mixture is very hot, so let this one to the grown-ups. Use an ice scream scoop in an effort to keep the proportions even.PopcornAdd about 2-3 drops of food coloring to each popcorn/syrup mix.PopcornStir each bowl with a clean spoon so you don’t mix colors.popcornWorking fast, shape the balls before the syrup mixture cools. Spray your fingers with a non-stick spray to be able to shape each ball. You can make them as big or small as you’d like! Enjoy!Popcorn Science

HAPPY POPPING!

Popcorn
The Science Behind Popcorn! Everyone’s favorite snack is actually a scientific example of physical change. Popcorn itself wasn’t really invented, but discovered, and might have very well been at the first Thanksgiving feast. Let’s look a little deeper into this delicious discovery!

So What Makes Popcorn Pop?

Popcorn ScienceGood zea mays everta, or popcorn kernels, seem dry and firm in plain sight. But inside each kernel is a tiny droplet of water surrounded by a hard shell called a hull. Popcorn can be heated by hot oil, air, or a microwave.The heat turns that water droplet into steam, building pressure inside the hull. Then – POP! – the hull can no longer keep in the pressure and the kernel explodes. The popping sound you hear is due to the rapid escape of water from the kernel.

Why Do Some Kernels Not Pop?

Simply put, there isn’t enough water in the kernel. A water droplet has to be present for that steam pressure to build up. Sometimes kernels are old and stale, or they become scorched during cooking.Popcorn Science

All this popcorn talk has us hungry.

Below is a playful recipe for colorful popcorn balls to share with your hungry little scientists. As you make them, explain the science behind what makes popcorn pop. You can also teach your little ones basic color recognition with this rainbow treat!You will need:¾ cup light corn syrup¼ cup butter3 cups powdered sugar1 cup marshmallows2 teaspoons water2 teaspoons vanilla1/8 teaspoon salt20 cups of popped cornFood coloring of your choicePopcorn SciencePop your corn any way you choose. Over the stovetop is this household’s choice, but any way will work. If you choose to microwave, 20 cups is about three bags.PopcornSeparate your popcorn evenly into how many food coloring choices you want. Here, there are six bowls uniformly distributed in order to make a rainbow.PopcornCombine the corn syrup, butter, powdered sugar, marshmallows, water, vanilla, and salt together over medium-high heat. Keep the mixture moving and bring to a slow boil.PopcornFor adults only: Carefully pour the mixture evenly into each bowl of popcorn. The mixture is very hot, so let this one to the grown-ups. Use an ice scream scoop in an effort to keep the proportions even.PopcornAdd about 2-3 drops of food coloring to each popcorn/syrup mix.PopcornStir each bowl with a clean spoon so you don’t mix colors.popcornWorking fast, shape the balls before the syrup mixture cools. Spray your fingers with a non-stick spray to be able to shape each ball. You can make them as big or small as you’d like! Enjoy!Popcorn Science

HAPPY POPPING!

Popcorn
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Summer of Science Celery Experiment!

This Summery Science Veggie Experiment is a great way to demonstrate the way plants pull water from beneath the ground up into their stems and leaves. This experiment is perfect for preschoolers and school-aged children and a great way to stay cool on a sunny summer afternoon. So, let’s do it!
Plant Experiment
Staying hydrated is critical to maintaining good health. You probably encourage your kids to drink plenty of water, particularly now when we’re all sweating out so much of our moisture to stay cool under the hot summer sun.

But we’re not the only ones who need to stay hydrated!

Our pets, and even our plants, need water to survive. Yup, plants! Plants use water to transport nutrients out of the dirt and into their tissue and also to help keep their cells plump and sturdy – that’s why plants get limp and saggy when they’re in need of watering.
 
Water is also a key ingredient in photosynthesis, the process by which plants turn sunlight into food. But unlike people and animals, plants don’t have mouths to drink with. So how DO plants acquire and circulate water?
 
Gather Your Materials:

 

  • Fresh celery stalk with plenty of leaves
  • Food coloring (blue or red works best)
  • Water
  • Knife
Celery Experiment Materials 
Fill a glass half full of water.
Celery Experiment 
Add a tablespoon of food coloring and stir.
 
Celery Experiment 
Trim the bottom of your celery stalk to expose a fresh bottom.Celery Experiment Colors 
Place the stalk in the glass so that the stem is in the water, but the leaves are not, and take a photo with your phone.
Celery Experiment Colors
Leave as-is overnight.  

The next day, compare your celery stalk to the photo you took the night before!

Celery Experiment
Does anything look different? Ask your kids a few questions about what they see, including:
Do you think the water has moved up into the celery stalk?
Why do you think this? How can you tell?
How do you think the water traveled through the celery stalk?Celery Experiment
Once you’ve observed and discussed the changes to your celery stalk, try cutting about a quarter inch off the bottom. There may be small dots of color (the same color as your food coloring) on the base of the stalk.
Celery Experiment Colors
Explain to your kids that these dots are the bottoms of the plant’s xylem – small tubes inside the plant that suck up the water and nutrients like a straw and circulate them through the plant so that it can stay healthy, stand up tall, and make its own food. 

How will you sneak science into your summer?

Celery Experiment Colors
Summer of Science Celery Experiment!
This Summery Science Veggie Experiment is a great way to demonstrate the way plants pull water from beneath the ground up into their stems and leaves. This experiment is perfect for preschoolers and school-aged children and a great way to stay cool on a sunny summer afternoon. So, let’s do it!
Plant Experiment
Staying hydrated is critical to maintaining good health. You probably encourage your kids to drink plenty of water, particularly now when we’re all sweating out so much of our moisture to stay cool under the hot summer sun.

But we’re not the only ones who need to stay hydrated!

Our pets, and even our plants, need water to survive. Yup, plants! Plants use water to transport nutrients out of the dirt and into their tissue and also to help keep their cells plump and sturdy – that’s why plants get limp and saggy when they’re in need of watering.
 
Water is also a key ingredient in photosynthesis, the process by which plants turn sunlight into food. But unlike people and animals, plants don’t have mouths to drink with. So how DO plants acquire and circulate water?
 
Gather Your Materials:

 

  • Fresh celery stalk with plenty of leaves
  • Food coloring (blue or red works best)
  • Water
  • Knife
Celery Experiment Materials 
Fill a glass half full of water.
Celery Experiment 
Add a tablespoon of food coloring and stir.
 
Celery Experiment 
Trim the bottom of your celery stalk to expose a fresh bottom.Celery Experiment Colors 
Place the stalk in the glass so that the stem is in the water, but the leaves are not, and take a photo with your phone.
Celery Experiment Colors
Leave as-is overnight.  

The next day, compare your celery stalk to the photo you took the night before!

Celery Experiment
Does anything look different? Ask your kids a few questions about what they see, including:
Do you think the water has moved up into the celery stalk?
Why do you think this? How can you tell?
How do you think the water traveled through the celery stalk?Celery Experiment
Once you’ve observed and discussed the changes to your celery stalk, try cutting about a quarter inch off the bottom. There may be small dots of color (the same color as your food coloring) on the base of the stalk.
Celery Experiment Colors
Explain to your kids that these dots are the bottoms of the plant’s xylem – small tubes inside the plant that suck up the water and nutrients like a straw and circulate them through the plant so that it can stay healthy, stand up tall, and make its own food. 

How will you sneak science into your summer?

Celery Experiment Colors
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Erupting Summer Science: DIY Volcanoes!
"Research shows that most children have formed an opinion (either positive or negative) about science by the time they reach the age of 7."
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