Free Experiments

Try this awesome combination of two classic science activities - Oobleck Slime and the Egg Drop. The result of this experiment might surprise you! 

It is time for our first competition of 2019, and we have a massive dino-sized, dino-themed pack of prizes up for grabs - see below for how to enter and a list of all the goodies on offer!

How To Enter

1. Firstly, think of your favourite dinosaur. Is it the terrifying T-Rex, the armoured Stegosaurus, the speedy Velociraptor or Australia's own Muttaburrasaurus?
2. Next, create a drawing or painting or any other form of artwork of your dinosaur.
3. Now, think of the features (also called 'adaptations') that your dinosaur has that enable it to survive. These might be things that help it to catch and eat its prey, or perhaps defend itself from predators. Choose three features and label them on or next to your artwork.
4. Send your entry to us, by email (see below) or 'snail mail'. All entries must be with us by Friday, 19th April

Send us your entry by email or snail mail. 

Email entries to:

[email protected]

This activity is perfect for keeping young dinosaur enthusiasts cool on a hot day.

You Need:

Some small dinosaur figurines (or other animals that hatch out of eggs, such as lizards or birds)

Some round balloons (not water balloons)

Scissors

Some toy tools, or other safe objects for breaking or melting ice

What To Do:

Stretch a balloon carefully around the figurine, taking extra care not to puncture it with any spikes or claws. (Water balloons are too thin and can break at this point).

Place the opening of the balloon over the end of a tap. Turn the tap on gently and fill the balloon with enough water to surround the figurine.

Seal the balloon and place it gently in the freezer overnight.

When your ‘ice egg’ is completely frozen, use the scissors to remove the balloon.

Place the egg in a tray with appropriate tools,  and invite your young dino-e

Got a dinosaur enthusiast at your place? Make a dinosaur egg they can hatch with a chemical reaction!

You Need:

A packet of Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda, from the supermarket)

Some food colouring

Mixing Bowl

Water

Gloves

Small dinosaur figurines (or other animals that hatch out of eggs, such as lizards or birds)

Baking tray with a sheet of baking paper or foil to line it

Vinegar in a small cup or bowl

Pipette (eye dropper) or small spoon

What To Do:

Pour the sodium bicarbonate into the mixing bowl.  Put on the gloves, then add a little water and a few drops of food colouring. Mix with a spoon or your hands to form a mouldable paste, adding more water if necessary.

Take a handful of the paste and mould it into a small bowl that you can place a figurine inside. Place more paste on top of the figurine and mould into an egg shape, ma

If you suck on a candy cane long enough, it will dissolve in your mouth. In this experiment you can observe the process up close, and also find out which liquid will dissolve a candy cane the fastest. It is easy to set up with household materials and substances (and a packet of candy canes), and a great opportunity for developing the science skills of hypothesising, observation, measurement, fair testing, comparison and analysis. It also a great way to use up your left over candy canes at Christmas!

You Need

• 6 candy canes, any plastic wrapping removed
• 6 clear glasses or jars
• A stopwatch
• A bar magnet
• 6 different liquids such as cold water, hot water, salty water, water with food colouring, vinegar, oil, juice, milk etc.

What To Do

• Pour different liquids into each glass or jar, then label

What You Need:

• Straight drinking straws

What to do:

• Press the end of a plastic drinking straw flat and cut two triangular shapes off each side to make a pointy end.
• Flatten this end some more, then seal your lips around the point, and blow. You will hear a squawky whistle, and the whole straw will vibrate. It's a bit tricky at first, so don't rush or blow too hard.

Turn an ordinary sewing needle into a compass, with the help of a magnet.

You Need

• A small bowl (not a metal one)
• A small piece of cork or foam
• A sewing needle
• A bar magnet
• A compass

What To Do

• Place some water in the bowl so the cork/foam can float easily.
• Hold the needle firmly on the bench with one finger on one end.
• Take the bar magnet and stroke the needle firmly with the South pole end, all the way from the eye to the tip. Do this at least 50 times, stroking the whole length of the needle in the same direction each time.
• Push the needle through the middle of the cork/form, then float it gently in the water.
• Allow the needle to orient itself. If you place a compass next to the bowl, you will find the compass needle and the floating needle will be pointing in the same direction – North.
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A wonderfully simple exploratory activity for little scientists that incorporates plenty of scientific thinking.

You Need

• A magnet, such as a horseshoe magnet or magnet wand 
• An assortment of metal and non-metal household items such as: A key, some coins, a food can, a soft drink can, a metal spoon, a wooden spoon, a gold or silver necklace, a paper clip, aluminium foil, a baking tray, a metal toy car, a plastic toy, a small piece of wood, a small glass marble or glass jar, a rubber band, and a cork.
• Two large bowls or containers, labeled ‘Yes’ and ‘No’.

What To Do

• Hand the child the magnet and let them work their way through the samples, sorting the magnetic ones into the ‘Yes’ bowl and the no

Learning Objectives:

• To understand that the flower is the reproductive centre of the plant.
• To identify the key parts of the flower involved in reproduction.

What You Need:

• A selection of different flowers, particularly those with a ‘classic’ structure, such as hibiscus or lilium.
• A pair of tweezers
• A scalpel or another small, sharp blade
• Any magnification tools, such as a magnifying glass, viewer or microscope will also be helpful.

What to do:

Use the tweezers (or very gently, your fingers) to remove the petals on one side of the flower.

Use the diagram below as a guide to identify the following parts on your flower:

Anther: The parts that produce pollen grains. Each pollen grain contains a male sex cell. There will be more than one anther on the flower.

Filament: The long strands that attach

Balloon Powered Car:

Design a car that is able to move the furthest using the power of just one balloon. Materials might include bricks such as Lego, or recycled materials, or a set amount of materials.