Tags: Experiment, Science, Exploration, Lava Lamp
February 29th, 2024
One of the highlights of February, 2024 was our hands-on science experiment where we made lava lamps! Thank you, Ms Stacy, our awesome Parent-Teacher, for preparing and guiding us during our experiment. The children somehow all picked the colors red and blue for their lamps, matching the colors of our flag on Presidents’ Day. They were mesmerized by the swirling colors and bubbling motion, sparking their curiosity and fascination with the world around them. This activity also provided an opportunity to explore concepts such as density, buoyancy, and chemical reactions in a fun and interactive way.
Here’s the recipe for lava lamps if you’d like to make one with your little ones:
Here’s what you’ll need:
- an empty clear bottle that doesn’t leak
- vegetable oil or baby oil
- water
- food coloring
- 2 antacid tablets (alternatively baking soda/vinegar)
In a nutshell, here’s what you’ll do:
- Fill the jar half-way with vegetable oil or baby oil.
- Add water until the bottle is about three-quarters full.
- Add 5-10 drops of food coloring.
- Break an antacid tablet (Ms Stacy used Alka-Seltzer tablets) into several pieces and drop the pieces into the jar one at a time.
- Watch the lava lamp activate!
Please note that this science experiment is an opportunity for children to explore chemical reactions. Always a good idea to follow your child’s interests and development when preparing the experiments! For example, if your child is currently obsessed with dinosaurs, you can place a couple of small figurines in the bottle for an extra fun-filled experience. And if they’re simply not interested, then that’s okay! Save this post for another time.
*A Tip on Safety: While the mixture is active and bubbling, refrain from closing the lid. Good idea to place a tray underneath the bottle If your child is learning to open lids, tape it up with some duct tape once the lava lamp is finished.
**Extension: To make the experiment more fun, bring the finished lava lamps into a dark room and placing a flashlight behind the jar for an interactive and spectacular experience.
***Ways to Promote Curiosity
- Ask open questions. Open questions are ones without yes/no answers, and they are a great method to help children with critical thinking. For example, you can ask: “Wow, what just happened?”, “Why do you think the bubbles came up?”, or “What do you think will happen if we put in these tablets?” [To learn more about The Montessori Method, check out our blog post on the Triad]
- Involve the child in as much of the process as possible, and you don’t have to stick to the rules. It’s an experiment after all! This is a quote I love by Simone Davis from The Montessori Notebook: Help the child “as little as possible and as much as necessary.”
- Most of all, enjoy yourselves! Messes can be inevitable sometimes with young children, but that is all part of the learning experience!
Like what you see? Subscribe to our Newsletter below for Montessori tips and inspirations. No spams, promise!
Leave a Reply