Hands-on Activities

SPICE offers many different hands-on activity focusing on various topics. Each activity usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. SPICE members adjust the amount of information taught to the students depending on their age and interest level. Below are some of the activities we most commonly use.

Film Canister Rockets
Purpose: To demonstrate a reaction that produces a gas, and the concept of gas expansion.
Description: Film canisters (can be decorated to look like a rocket) are filled with water, and then an antacid tablet is dropped in. The canister is quickly capped and flipped upside down. When pressure builds up from the production of gas, the top shoots off like a rocket.

Metal Mischief
Purpose: To observe electroplating with an optional extension about how density can be used to detect counterfeit money.
Description: Vinegar is used to clean a penny. Then the penny is electroplated with zinc using a battery, leads and a galvanized nail. The optional extension has the students calculate and compare the density of three different metals.

Making Polymers
Purpose: To show how polymers are made, and how they are used in everyday items.
Description: One of three polymers are made.

1. Gluep: Borax and glue are mixed together to form a think polymer that is fun to play with and mold.
2. Slime: A polyvinyl alcohol-based solution is mixed to produce a slimy, gooey polymer that kids love to play with.
3. Ooblek: Cornstarch and water are combined to make a special type of mixture that is liquid when poured, but acts like a solid when force is applied (i.e. someone pokes it or plays with it).

Sports in the Snow
Purpose: To show how temperature can affect sports equipment.
Description: The bonce heights of three different sports balls are measured, both at room temperature and after being placed in an icebath. The students discuss the results and discuss advice they would give to athletes playing in the cold.

Diaper Activity
Purpose: To observe the water absorbing properties of the polymers used in diapers.
Description: The polymer is extracted from the inside lining of a diaper. Once the polymer is placed an a cup, the students estimate and then determine the amount of water the polymer can absorb. Lastly, the effect of salt on the polymer's water-absorbing ability is observed.