MAGIC SCIENCE---WEEK 7

 

Our first magic science trick was listed in science web sites as easy for kids to do. We started our club week 7 with invisible writing. Instructions said to use lemon juice or milk to write on white paper. We did both and left them to dry as instructed.  Next we were to put the invisible writing up to a light bulb.  It didn’t work with a fluorescent bulb so we switched to a regular old fashioned light bulb. Nothing happened so we tried the next thing suggested in the instructions—a candle. I would not suggest kids do this as the paper started to burn but still no magic writing. Next Marius’s mother tried the gas stove burner.  This worked perfectly but I would not suggest a child do this. We tried different types of paper with the same results; it worked only with the stove.

                                                                   

      

 

Our next magic trick was to fill a sandwich bag with water and snap it shut.  The trick was to stab it with a sharp pencil and not have the water leak out. Marius tried it first. He stabbed it all the way through two layers but pulled the pencil out.  Leak city!  All the water came rushing out.  I explained that the pencil had to quickly go from one side of the bag to the other. Patricia tried and it worked.  Why? Because the bag is a polymer and as the pencil goes through the soft plastic seals itself around the pencil and the water doesn’t come out.  Next the kids wondered if more than one pencil would work and it did.  I have tried this trick with 5 pencils going through the same bag.  The trick is that the points have to be very sharp to be able tp push through the bags quickly.  This magic trick will have all their friends and parents amazed—just make sure it is done outside or over the sink.

 

                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                                                            

 Making Magic marshmallows is every childs’ favorite trick. After I have shown this to the kids I am forever asked to make them-even my grandchildren, my classes, and the neighbors.  You need a microwave for this.  I use a paper cup cut to about ½.  Put marshmallows (one or two large ones) in the cups and put them in the microwave and watch them grow and grow.  The kids get so very excited! I will do 4 cups at a time.  Make sure the kids can watch. Again I ask them why.  The answer is because the marshmallow is whipped and is full of air.  The microwave works with steam which blows the marshmallows up as it heats.  As it cools the marshmallows collapse, and the kids eat them.  It works differently than marshmallows over a fire or grill.  The microwave cooks from the inside while the fire cooked marshmallows cook from the outside in.  Try it—it is the best and always works!  Even I love them.

                                                                 

 

Have you ever cooked soap? For this magic trick you need Ivory Soap.  It is the only soap that will work.  It works on the same principal as the marshmallow.  Ivory Soap is the only soap that is whipped and again the microwave cooks with steam.  It steams up the whipped soap which grows and grows.  Kids love it!  When it comes out the soap sculpture is hard.  It is great for the grownups as the kids like to take the whipped soap and use it in their bath, it floats.  It also cleans your microwave.  Take water on a paper towel and wash out leftover soap.  Your microwave has never been so clean or smelled so good.  This is a win, win magic trick.