It's hard enough getting kids interested in learning in general, let alone learning science. Science is one of those things, like Shakespeare, where the process needs to be acted out and seen to fully understand.
The words of Hamlet fall flat until actors infuse them with life on the stage. Similarly, algorithms, formulas, concepts and theories mean nothing at all to young minds until they've seen them in action.
What better way to get kids thinking about something as complicated (and often boring) as physics than by making fun rocket launchers? Simple experiments like these 10 water tricks or this fun project with dishwashing liquid, food coloring, and milk are the sort of fun activities that get kids engaged. (Not to mention, they're totally cheap!)
In the video, the woman asks if the kids are excited, to which they respond, "not really" — then she shows them how much fun they can have when they understand how certain chemicals interact under pressure.
Just see how enthusiastically the kids react when they're conducting experiments on their own at the 3:30 mark! They've totally forgotten they're engaging in hardcore textbook science and are enjoying its wonder!
Here's what you'll need for this experiment:
- Plastic water bottles
- Paracetamol tablets (aka Tylenol or Panadol)
- A glass of water
Watch the video below to conduct this easy experiment at home!
SHARE if you know a kid who will love this!