OK. You asked for it. Here's some more experiments from Reeko's bag of tricks. And
don't forget - you're in the Top Secret Section F of Reeko's Mad Scientist Lab so
please understand that all knowledge gleamed from conducting these experiments must
be kept strictly confidential...
Now we get to actually build a simple
device that can be used to test the charge of any object. And don't
worry, unlike Dad's projects, this one will actually work...
No doubt about it. Mom and Dad will be real proud when they see how 'charged
up' you are about this experiment.
Reeko knows kids have a fascination with sparks. We could have made this simple
and told you that if you simply follow Dad around the garage while he's working
on his latest, greatest project, you'll eventually see some sparks fly. But
then Reeko thought - 'Why should two lives be in danger?'. So
here's a little experiment that'll let you generate some sparks yourself
- the right way.
I know, I know. You just can't get enough of experiments that shoot out fire,
smoke and sparks. Here's another sparking experiment. And as with the
Making Sparks experiment, be sure to involve dad in
this experiment...
We all know that when that little light bulb appears above Dad's head when he thinks
he's finally figured out how to fix the latest broken household appliance - it's
time to flee the house. No need to run out of the house screaming when
we conduct this experiment.
We'll cause a light bulb to light up using nothing more than a comb.
Top of Page
For a fire to continue burning, it must have a constant supply of oxygen. What happens
if you remove the oxygen? How do you remove the oxygen? This experiment demonstrates
the basic principles that work behind
the scenes in a fire extinguisher.
Ever heard of Oobleckh? Reeko hadn't either until the day he miscalculated ingredient
quantities when trying to formulate a new biscuit recipe. But the
resulting mixture is the strangest acting stuff you've ever seen...
Osmosis? No, not the small body of water located in the middle of the desert. In
this experiment we will demonstrate
the process of osmosis using two simple ingredients.
Lately we hear about recycling every day, and this is good! Without recycling we
would quickly deplete our earth's resources and be in a heap of trouble. We can
recycle metal, plastic, paper, and even tires. In this experiment we will actually
recycle a newspaper to gain some insight
into how the recycling process really works.
Chemical reactions occur every day all around us. A chemical reaction is a
process where one type of substance is chemically converted to another substance.
That fizzling toilet bowl cleaner is a chemical reaction. The fire in your fireplace
is another type of chemical reaction. The smoke that comes out of Dad's
ears when you lose one of his favorite golf clubs is a result of a chemical reaction.
OK, so maybe that's a bad example.
This experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction that's fairly common all
around us (and we don't have to touch Dad's golf clubs to make this one work).
Top of Page
Now we get into some real chemistry! In this experiment, we'll
mix up a batch of magic stuff and explain how this liquid solution is used
during the winter to keep our streets and sidewalks safe. You'll also be armed with
a bit of knowledge that you can use to impress Dad the next time he's outside shoveling
snow...
Did I ever tell you the story of the time it took me and Dad five hours just to
drive to school? No? Well it involved a flat tire, oil, a small fire, and water
- just like this experiment...
Reeko understands how much kids love to play with their food. It's basically a requirement
for being a kid. This experiment lets us do just that. So while Mom and Dad assist
you with this experiment, try
to keep a straight face and don't let on to how much fun this science stuff really
is...
Plastic, plastic, everywhere. Practically the whole world's made of plastic.
The utensils that Mom cooks with. The toys scattered all over your room.
Even the parts used to construct Dad's car (you'd think automobile manufacturers
would understand that (1) plastics are breakable and (2) Dad's often work on their
own cars). In this experiment, we'll
make up a batch of plastic and maybe have a little fun with Dad too...
Here's a popular experiment that's been around for years and has left many kitchens
in ruin (just kidding of course). In the volcano experiment we
build a real working volcano that actually mimics the properties of the
real thing.
Top of Page
We don't pick on Moms much around here - they're kind of special. But if you really
want to have some fun with Mom, take her around the house pointing out all the dust
and explaining how cohesive it is. Cohesive? Not familiar with that word? We'll
here - let's conduct a experiment
to demonstrate your newly found term.
Ok, so maybe the term rocket powered is taking it a little too far. But
we still get to propel an object. All we need for
this simple experiment is a empty soda bottle and a penny (unless you are
getting your Mad Scientist supplies from Dad, in which case - ask for a quarter).
We've already discussed cohesiveness. Now we will
demonstrate a related topic - surface tension and show that water is not
exactly as slippery as it appears...
In this simple experiment we will explain
the the concept of density and demonstrate the different densities of some
common household objects.
Top of Page
Here's an experiment that demonstrates some of the principles behind the mechanisms
that allow a submarine to be both float
and sink.
Ever wonder why a really heavy boat floats while a small rock sinks like a... uhhh,
rock? Have you noticed that while in the pool, if you stretch out flat you will
float but if you curl up in a ball you will sink? Grab your lab coats and head for
the kitchen sink - our first science experiment
demonstrates those puzzling floatation principles.
Top of Page
It's no secret that scientists have to be pretty good at math.
This experiment is closely related to the area of math known as geometry
(the study of angles and surfaces) and helps to demonstrate how math and science
are interrelated.
Here's a simple little experiment that's sure to amaze (confuse) you. In our reality
as we know it, we tend to think of things in three dimensions (ok, four dimensions
if you want to get picky and count the time continuum). But
here's an object that's simple to create but upon careful examination seems
to defy every principle of reality as we know it.
Top of Page
Ever wondered how you are able to ride a bike without falling over? You are balancing
on two very small tires but still able travel along almost effortlessly. Have you
ever tried to balance the bike while it's not moving? A little harder, isn't it.
This experiment touches on the principles of gyroscopic inertia. If this word sounds
hard, don't worry. This experiment
will make everything crystal clear...
In this experiment we demonstrate a scientific principle discovered by a man named
Henry Coanda (take a guess what the name of this scientific effect is). This principle
is one of the explanations as to
how a heavy airplane manages to fly.
Top of Page
Your brain is the control center of your entire body, responsible for thinking,
reasoning, and explaining what our eyes see (and believe it or not, even Dad's have
one). And sometimes it can be pretty stubborn when it tries to explain something
your eyes see but the brain knows can't be true. In
this experiment, we're going to fool around with our minds by letting our
eyes see something the brain knows can't be happening. Note: you might want
to have Dad leave the room on this one. It's a well known fact that Dad's
brains are not nearly as sophisticated as Mom's. This experiment will only
freak him out...
Light - colorless, odorless, nothingness, boring eh. What could possibly be
interesting about light? There's more
to light than meets the eye..
Dazzle your friends. Impress your buddies. Confuse your Dad. Here we
create an optical illusion with a very basic scientific explanation.
Top of Page
Besides eating candy, irritating your little brother or sister, and watching cartoons,
what does every little kid love? Playing with WATER! In this experiment we get to
make a watery mess and learn
about Newton's Third Law.
Yep, everyone loves a good, close horse race - especially the pre-race ritual of
trying to guess who's going to win. Mom always picks the horse with the prettiest
saddle. Grandpa picks the horse with the 'lucky' sounding name. Dad carefully analyzes
the Racing Forms applying his scientific principles of random numerology.
Show dad this racing experiment and you can explain to him why his advanced
pre-race analysis won't do him a bit of good within the walls of Reeko's Mad Scientist
Lab...
Now we get to learn about a little principle called momentum... Sometimes interesting
things happen when a totally motionless object gets in the way of a moving one.
To demonstrate - the next time dad finds out you've been in his toolbox again and
he's coming at you with that crazed look on his face. Rather than running, flinching,
or ducking in terror try freezing like a statue and see how it freaks him out. Or
better yet, try this experiment and see
for yourself.
Top of Page
Would you believe that there are scientific principles involved in the sport of
ice skating? In this experiment we
help explain how an ice skater is able to glide smoothly over the surface of the
ice rink.
The weather always makes for an interesting experiment. One of the prime factors
in weather forecasting is the air pressure. Weathermen measure the air pressure
using a device called a barometer.
In this experiment we will create our very own barometer and examine the
scientific principles that explain how it works.
OK, so now things are going to get a little weird (bet ya' didn't think they could
get any weirder, did ya'). For all you little scientists who have, at one
time or another, stared up at the sky and wondered what clouds are made of -
this one's for you...
In this experiment we get
to draw pictures, play with clay, make faces in the mirror, and poke fun at Dad
- all while learning about a scientific principle called pressure. What
more could you ask for in a science experiment...
Remember the old soda-in-the-straw trick. You know, the one where you put a straw
into a glass of soda and then cover the end of the straw with your finger. When
you remove the straw from the glass the water stays inside until you remove your
finger. In this little scientist experiment
we apply this same principal to learn about something called pressure.
What could be more boring that plants? They just sit around all day doing nothing
(who does this sound like?). Just give 'em a little food and water and they're happy.
Food and water? Plants need food? You bet. In this experiment we'll demonstrate
that plants are a little more
than just boring, green house decorations...
Nothing's funnier than watching Dad blow up birthday balloons. His cheeks puff out,
his face turns red, when he stands up he teeters around like a drunk. Too bad Dad
doesn't know about the scientific principles of heat and expansion. He would if
he conducted this experiment.
So the experiment title has got you wondering. No more details given here. If you
want to learn about pressure, lift, and Bernoulli's principle then you'll have to
step inside and conduct this experiment.
Want to have a little fun with Dad? Take a jar filled with water and a straw and
bet him he can't suck the water out of the jar. Ok, so a little advanced preparation
is needed for this experiment but
it'll be well worth it to see the funny expressions on Dad's face when he tries
to do the impossible.
So far we've had plenty of fun with Dad (at his expense of course). Now this experiment is the kicker.
Bet Dad you can magically (scientifically of course) cause an egg to suck itself
into a bottle and you may never have to take out the trash again!
Top of Page
Ever wonder how we are able to hear sounds? How do our ears perceive sound? Exactly
what is sound? That's a lot of questions and here comes a lot of answers. In this
experiment we demonstrate the principles
of sound and explain exactly how our ears 'hear'.
Using nothing more than marbles, we'll demonstrate
how sound waves are formed. Who says science has to be difficult...
Ever wonder what Mom and Dad are always whispering about? Could they
be discussing what new trick they're going to use to make you eat all of your vegetables?
Or maybe they're concocting a story to convince you how fun it is to take
out the trash? Conduct this experiment and you'll have a
handy little device for eavesdropping on their super-secret discussions...
Top of Page
Ever wondered how cartoons are created? In this experiment we
demonstrate the process called animation and offer some interesting and
helpful insights into how our brain and eyes can sometimes deceive us...
Nothing's more interesting than the weather and the strange phenomenon that can
accompany it. As a preliminary to this experiment, tell Dad he needs to stand to
the side and spin around and around as fast as he can. Tell him it's critical that
he do this for the tornado experiment to work (heh, heh). Now while Dad is a twirling,
let's examine the principles behind the
formation and awesome force of a twister.
Let's say I'm standing on top of a tall building hanging over the edge carefully
balancing a bowling ball in one hand and a tennis ball in the other. You're on the
ground under me looking up (and probably covering your head). Hmmm, something is
not quite right here and some scientific experimentation
is definitely called for...
Top of Page