Monday 4/27: Salt Lava Lamp

We are taking a trip back to the 1970s with today’s activity! We will be making a “lava lamp” using science. It’s it great when we can use science concepts and principles to make really neat things?!?!? Before we make our “lava lamp”, we need to review the science concepts we’ll be using today. The key concepts today are: density        float       sink        hydrophobic 

Mass and Volume. Science for Children– Primary & Intermediate (K-5)

Sink or Float Challenge: Fruit– Primary (K-2)

Density: Why does oil float on water?– Intermediate (3-5 (& above))

 

Now, we’re almost ready for our experiment, but let’s just take a quick look at salt, the key ingredient to today’s “lava lamp”.

 

Experiment Time: Let’s make a “Lava Lamp”

Now it’s time to apply the concepts you just reviewed! Materials: large glass/vase of water, food coloring, vegetable oil, salt (ice cream salt and coarse Kosher salt works well, but “regular” table salt works as well)

 

Cross Curricular Extension: Algebra– Grades 6++

As a former teacher, I understand the importance and “magic” of being able to combine concepts and skills to more than one academic area. Believe it or not, the fact that oil & water doesn’t mix can be connected to basic algebra concepts 🙂 I found this fabulous resource by Professor Martin Weissman. It uses the concept of oil and water not mixing to explain and illustrate the concept of combining like terms in Algebra. It contains instruction, examples, and practice problems. Perfect for higher level middle school students and for high school. Click here to access this resource.