Mad Scientist Recipes

My middle son has a start of the school year birthday, so this year, we didn't get to have a party. So instead, we did a half-birthday party for him. With the help of his teacher, we had it on science fair day at school, for the last two hours, since our theme was 'Mad Scientists'.

The kids had a ball. We ran out of time before we ran out of things to do.

So I thought I'd share some of our fun here for you guys:


Super Bubble Juice
Dawn Ultra or Joy Ultra 1 Part
Water 15 Parts
(Distilled Water Works Best)
Glycerine or White Karo Syrup .25 Parts

Click on the second bibble link below to get directions for making a super bubble blowing cone to use with the solution.


Super Bubble Ooze
-this is like the stuff you buy in a tube at the store.

1. In a small bowl pour 3 T glue gel and 1 drop food coloring, mix well.
2. Add 3 T liquid starch and mix well.
3. Let sit for 5 minutes. Remove from dish and knead well.
4. When it is firm, roll into a ball and bounce it or take off a piece, put it on the end of a straw and blow it up like a balloon.

Crystal Paint
1. In a small dish, mix up ? C warm water and 3 t. salt. Keep stirred very well thoughout play.
2. Use a paintbrush to paint a picture on black paper.
3. Watch for crystals as the paint dries, you can use a hair drier to speed up the process

Magic Colors
-make sure you use water soluable markers for this one.

1. Cut along the sealed edges of the coffee filter. Open up the filter so it is a single layer.

2. With the black marker, draw a line across the bottom of the filter on one side, about 1 inch up from the bottom. Do the same with your colored marker on the other half.
3. Put some water in the cup-enough to cover the bottom. Curl the paper circle so it fits inside the cup. Make sure the bottom of the circle is in the water.

4. Watch as the water flows up the paper. When it touches the black line, you'll start to see some different colors.

5. Leave the paper in the water until the colors go all the way to the top edge. How many colors can you see?


Outrageous Ooze
-this was the biggest hit of the day!

1. Put the cornstarch into the bowl. Add a drop or two of food coloring. (Use whatever colors you like.) Add water slowly, mixing the cornstarch and water with your fingers until all the powder is wet.
2. Keep adding water until the Ooze feels like a liquid when you're mixing it slowly. Then try tapping on the surface with your finger or a spoon. When Ooze is just right, it won't splash--it will feel solid. If you Ooze is too powdery, add a little more water. If it's too wet, add more cornstarch.
3. Pick up a handful and squeeze it. Stop squeezing and it will drip through your fingers.
-->Rest your fingers on the surface of the Ooze. Let them sink down to the bottom of the bowl. Then try to pull them out fast. What happens?
--> Take a blob and roll it between your hands to make a ball. Then stop rolling. The Ooze will trickle away between your fingers.



References:
Bubble solutions
Bubble solutions 2
Science for kids
Exploratorium
Kid concoctions