In this simple experiment, play with the properties of water to create an impressive reaction. Because water molecules are attracted to one another, they create surface tension that can be broken by a substance such as soap. See how the break in surface tension affects the pepper resting atop it.
This week at Girlstart After School, our girls continued to be Electrical Engineers. While last week the girls learned how to make a complete, functioning circuit, this week, the girls were challenged to use that knowledge to create more complex ones.
First, the girls crafted switches out of a notecard, a paperclip, and two brads, allowing them to easily turn the light bulb on and off. Next, the girls were tasked with adding a second light bulb into their circuit. To their surprise, the bulbs barely produced any light. The girls learned that the circuit they created was a series circuit, a circuit in which the current can only pass through one path. Series circuits are used in old fashioned Christmas lights, proving to be not the most effective.
The girls then had to use the same materials to reconstruct their circuits so that the lights shined brighter, a harder than expected task for most. The only way to achieve this is to create a parallel circuit, a circuit where the current flows through multiple paths. Parallel circuits are used to wire the electricity in houses and pretty much all other circuits. Our young GirlStart engineers now have the skills to create these!
During Week 4 of Girlstart After School, our girls explored the careers of electrical engineers! First, they learned new concepts and vocabulary, like conductor, insulator, complete circuit, closed circuit, open circuit, and energy transfer.
Then, the girls formed groups and put their skills to the test. They experimented with various objects (aluminum foil, brad clip, cotton ball, plastic spoon, penny) to determine which ones were conductors and which ones were insulators. At the end of the day, everyone came together and formed a giant human chain of thermal energy to illuminate a bulb!
Celebrate Earth Science Week by creating your very own cloud in this demonstration! We love learning more about the earth and how it works, and earth science helps us do just that. Observe what happens as condensation forms and collects on smoke particles from an extinguished match. Make sure you have adult supervision when completing this experiment.
