Science is way too complicated, tiring, and can just be done in a lab, right?
Of course not. OK, science is indeed complicated and not always easy to grasp. But that actually makes it exciting since it offers a challenge. And finally, you’re already taking advantage of many reactions based on scientific research at your home. There is soap (a.k.a shampoo, detergent, dish liquid), the vapor-compression cycle (a.k.a refrigerator or freezer), and electricity (a.k.a electrical light, internet, electronic devices).
Here are the resources for 3 fun DIY science experiments that you can easily do at home.
1. Frozen Bubbles
The sad thing about soap bubbles is that they don’t last very long. Here is an idea how you can preserve them for a bit, at least if it’s cold enough outside.
First you need to create a beautiful soap bubble and then you need to keep it alive long enough for it to freeze. That can be done out in the cold or – if you have access to it – with the help of dry ice. If you have space in your freezer that might work as well.
Bubbles
You’ll find everything about soap bubbles, how they work, why they shine in all colors of the rainbow, and the best recipes on this page.
Dry Ice Bubbles
At About.com you’ll learn how to best freeze your bubbles using liquid nitrogen.
Cold Bubbles
At HowStuffWorks they tell you how to do it with just cold weather.
2. Extract Your DNA
DNA is the hard drive of life. So much information is stored in such a simple structure and you have massive amounts of it in your body. Did you know that the total length of all the DNA in your body lined out to a single string would suffice to make 70 trips from the earth to the sun and back?
Instructions
This site has very simple instructions on how you can extract DNA from your cheeks. It doesn’t hurt – promise!
What this will not show you is a single string of DNA, not even several, at least you won’t be able to identify them as such. What you will see will be jelly like, maybe just a clump of it. But that is your precipitated DNA which was released from the nuclei of your own cells. As a control you can do the same procedure just with tap water that didn’t touch your mouth. The control should lack the jelly things.
If you find this experiment too simple with way too little details, check out the instructions for How to Extract DNA from Anything Living at the Genetic Science Learning Center of the University of Utah.
It’s the same principle of course, but the article provides more background information and requires more material.
3. Make Light with Fruit
Fruit is not only healthy, they can also be used to produce electricity and light. Don’t believe it? Well…
Fruit Battery
Again, About.com shows how it’s done. This requires a bit more than regular household articles. You’ll need not only some fruit, but also copper, zinc (e.g. nails) and a small light bulb.
If these experiments excite you, check out the following websites for more.
The Science Explorer
Science Toys
At Home Astronomy
So what is your favorite DIY science experiment? What do you find fascinating in or about science?
Image credits: rometree, Zanastardust, clix, sardinelly
Tagged: DIY • education • experiments • learning • science • students
