STEAMosaurus Activities! STEM for kids

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Materials:

• 2 clear glasses
• 2 cups of water
• 2 raw eggs
• 3 tbsp of salt

Directions:

Fill one glass with 1 cup of water and carefully add an egg. You will see it sink to the bottom. In the second glass, mix 1 cup of water with the salt until fully dissolved. Then, carefully add the second egg. This time, the egg will float.

Why is this happening?

The density of a raw egg is greater than that of water, causing it to sink. However, adding salt to the water increases its density, making the water denser than the egg, allowing the egg to float.

Note:

You can adjust the amount of salt to make the egg float in the middle of the glass.

Materials:

• 2 cups of almond flour

• 3/4 cup of salt

• 2 tablespoons of safflower oil

• Food coloring

• 3/4 cup of water

Directions:

Mix the almond flour and salt together. Add the safflower oil and water, then mix with a spoon. Once combined, knead the dough with your hands. Divide the dough into smaller pieces and add different colors of food coloring to each.

Why organic play-dough?

This play-dough is made with all-natural ingredients, making it safe for babies who tend to put things in their mouths. Additionally, it is suitable for children on the autism spectrum, as some children with autism may react negatively to regular play-dough, which often contains wheat flour.

Note:

If the dough is too dry, add 2 tablespoons of water. Be careful not to add too much oil.

Materials:

• Organic Play-dough
• 1 plastic glass or small bowl
• 2tbs of baking soda 
• food coloring
• 1tbs of liquid soap
• 1cup of vinegar 

Directions: 

Mix the play-dough and shape it around the bowl to form a volcano. Inside the volcano, fill the glass with 2 tablespoons of baking soda, add your favorite food coloring, and 1 tablespoon of liquid soap. Carefully pour the vinegar into the glass and watch as the volcano erupts to the top.

Why is this happening?

By mixing vinegar (an acid) with baking soda (a base), a chemical reaction occurs, creating water, sodium acetate (a salt), and carbon dioxide (a gas). The carbon dioxide (CO2) is responsible for the eruption, and the bubbles are produced by the combination of soap and CO2.

Note:

For a bigger explosion, add more baking soda and vinegar. If you want more bubbles, add an extra tablespoon of soap.

“Why is this happening?” fits well as you’re explaining the process that the kids would be observing during the experiment.

Materials:

• food coloring
• 1 cup of honey
• 1 cup of blue dish soap
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of oil
• 1 cup of alcohol
• 1 clear glass

Directions:

Add purple food coloring to the honey (if you don’t have purple, mix red and blue). Slowly pour the honey into the glass. Next, tilt the glass and carefully pour in the dish soap (you can add blue food coloring if needed). Then, mix green food coloring with water and carefully pour it in the glass. Repeat this process with the oil and the alcohol (with red food coloring).

Why is this happening?

Each liquid has a different density. Honey is the densest and stays at the bottom, while alcohol is the least dense and stays on top. This creates the layered effect you see.

Note:

Be sure to add the same quantity of each liquid and maintain the order for the layers to form properly.

Materials:

• Wood sticks
• Organic play-dough 
• Scissor

Directions:

Cut the wood sticks to the same length. Use the play-dough as glue to connect the sticks. Start by forming four squares for the base of your tower. For the top, use triangles by connecting the sides of the squares.

Why is this happening?

The play-dough acts as a strong adhesive, allowing you to construct stable structures like towers of various shapes—squares, triangles, pentagons, etc.

Note:

Use clips or tape to hold the sticks in place while building.

Materials:

• Seltzer water
• One glass cup
• Some grapes

Directions:

Fill the glass 3/4 full with seltzer water. Add the grapes and observe as they sink, then float to the top as bubbles attach to them. Once at the top, the bubbles pop, and the grapes sink again. This “dance” will continue as long as there are bubbles in the water.

Why is this happening?

This process is called buoyancy. Grapes are denser than water, so they sink. However, the carbon dioxide bubbles in the seltzer water attach to the grapes, causing them to float. When the bubbles pop, the grapes sink again, and the cycle repeats.

Note:

You can substitute grapes with raisins, dates, or corn kernels for similar results.

Materials:

• 3 eggs
• 3 food coloring (use your favorite colors)
• 3 clear plastic cups

Directions:

Fill each cup with vinegar and add a drop of food coloring. Place one egg in each cup and leave it for 1 hour. Afterward, remove the eggs and peel off the shells to reveal your rubber eggs, now in vibrant colors.

Why is this happening?

Vinegar is an acetic acid that reacts with the calcium carbonate in the eggshell, producing carbon dioxide bubbles and dissolving the shell. The egg becomes “rubber-like” after prolonged exposure to vinegar.

Note:

The longer the egg is left in vinegar, the softer and larger it becomes.

Materials:

• Plastic bottle of water (empty)
• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1 cup of vinegar
• 1 Balloon

Directions:

Add the baking soda to the empty bottle, then pour in the vinegar and quickly place the balloon over the bottle opening. Watch as the balloon inflates.

Why is this happening?

When vinegar (an acid) reacts with baking soda (a base), it creates water, sodium acetate (a salt), and carbon dioxide gas (CO2). The CO2 fills the balloon, causing it to inflate.

Note:

Quickly place the balloon over the bottle to capture all the CO2 and inflate the balloon.

Materials:

• Paper
• Pencil
• Players

Directions:            

Create a decoding key by assigning numbers to each letter of the alphabet (e.g., A = 1, B = 2, etc.). Write the clues on pieces of paper (5-10 pieces). An example code could be “DOG” as “4,” “15,” “7”. Players must decode the message. The player who decodes the most messages wins.

Why is this happening?

This activity helps children develop reasoning and problem-solving skills by introducing them to basic decoding concepts.

Note:

You can incorporate math problems for an additional challenge based on the children’s skill levels.

Materials:

• 12 numerals
• 1 circle, it can be paper or plastic
• 2 wooden sticks
• 1 clip

Directions:            

Cut the base into a circle, then place the numerals in the correct positions like a clock. Use two sticks—one longer than the other for the hour and minute hands. Secure the sticks in the center with a clip.

Why is this happening?

This activity helps children learn to read time and introduces them to basic math and geometry concepts.

Note:

You can use plastic lids for the numbers and a sturdy base like cardboard or a plastic plate.

Materials:

• 60 Wood Sticks
• Glue

Directions:            

First, build the floor of the bridge by laying sticks horizontally. Then, create triangles for the sides and support beams. Connect each triangle at the top of the bridge with a wooden stick.

Why is this happening?

You are building a truss bridge, a type of bridge that uses triangles to distribute weight evenly. This is the most common and economical bridge type because it uses materials efficiently.

Note:

With adult supervision, you can use hot glue for added stability.

Materials:

• Motor 3V
• Batteries 
• Thick cardboard
• Scissor 
• Glue 
• Craft items

Directions:            

Connect the motor to the battery. Build the robot’s body with thick cardboard, and attach the battery and motor. Use the motor as the robot’s head, and craft eyes, a nose, and other details.

Why is this happening?

The motor provides movement, while the battery powers the robot. When connected properly, the robot will move forward and spin.

Note:

You can also use a plastic cup or aluminum for the robot’s body.