Experiments you can try at home

Our science team demonstrated some of these experiments in our live science spectacular at Clean Water Fest! With adult supervision and safety support, you can try some of them yourself!

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String pouring

Materials: 

• Clear pitcher with handle  
• Clear 1L beaker  
• White string 
• 1L of water  
• Food coloring  

Instructions: 

1. Measure 1.5 feet of string and cut 
2. Tie one end of the string to the handle of the pitcher 
3. Fill the pitcher almost to the top with water 
4. Dye the water a color 
5. Fully submerge the string into the water 
6. Then take the string out of the water 
7. Pick the pitcher up and put the string at the pouring end of the pitcher 
8. Pull the string tight and put the end of the string into the clear beaker 
9. Make sure the string is being held tight constantly  
10. Start pouring the water slowly down the string 
11. The water should travel along the string and into the clear beaker at the other end 
12. Do not pour the water too quickly or it will fall off the string 

Lava lamps

Materials: 

• 1 plastic tube
• Vegetable oil 
• Water  
• Alka-Seltzer tablets 
• Food coloring 

Instructions: 

1. Fill tube 3/4 full of vegetable oil 
2. Fill tube 1/4 full of water  
3. Put coloring into the water  
4. Break up Alka-Seltzer tablets into four pieces  
5. Drop the tablets in and watch the bubbles form 
6. When the bubbles slow down, add more Alka-Seltzer

Elephant toothpaste

Materials:

• Empty plastic bottle 
• Dry yeast 
• Warm water  
• Liquid dish soap  
• Food coloring 
• 3% Hydrogen peroxide  
• ½ Measuring cup 
• 1 tablespoon Measuring spoon 
• Small cup for yeast mixture 
• Safety glasses  
• A tray to catch the toothpaste  

Instructions: 

1. Put safety glasses on 
2. Place empty bottle on tray 
3. Pour ½ a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the empty bottle 
4. Add a big squirt of dish soap into the bottle  
5. Gently swirl the bottle to mix the hydrogen peroxide and soap 
6. Add your food coloring of choice into the bottle 
7. Measure out 1 tablespoon of yeast and 3 tablespoons of water and pour into the small cup 
8. Stir the yeast mixture for 30 seconds 
9. Pour the yeast mixture into the bottle and watch the elephant toothpaste form