On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…a science experiment with my Christmas tree.
Parenting on Female First
The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair has teamed up with TV science presenter Greg Foot to come up with twelve cracking experiments to keep kids entertained for all twelve days of Christmas.
From making it snow indoors to creating candy canes, Greg has devised a series of short videos which show kids how to have festive fun with science this holiday season. Each experiment can be viewed in around a minute and requires only easily available household items.
Greg Foot said “On average, UK kids will have more than 168 hours to fill over the Christmas holidays. We’ve designed these simple and fun experiments to help overcome Christmas cabin fever using nothing more than wrapping paper tubes, selection boxes and other festive bits and pieces.
“By showing the next generation how science and engineering plays a part in the festivities, we hope to inspire them to get more hands-on and sign up to The Big Bang Fair next year.”
The twelve experiments of Christmas:
1. Nappy Christmas! - make it snow inside with nothing more than a baby’s nappy and some water! (scroll down for video).
2. Blizzard Ice-cream - it’s snow joke! You really can use snow to make delicious ice-cream.
3. Wrappers Delight - create a Christmas light spectacular with only a tin of festive sweeties and a torch.
4. The Big Bang Candy Canes - make this traditional treat with just a few simple ingredients.
5. Poinsettia pH - you can use this beautiful bloom for more than just decoration. A distilled liquid from the plant can tell you if something is acid or alkaline.
6. Christmas Connections - discover how the twinkle gets into your Christmas lights.
7. Selection Box Structures - do more than stuff your face with your selection box this year by turning your sweet treats into an edible bridge.
8. Christmas Custard Power - learn how to walk on water with this crazy custard powder trick. (scroll down for video).
9. One in a Million - create your own completely unique snowflake with the ancient art of origami.
10. Capture Christmas - ditch the digital camera for your own homemade pin hole version.
11. Sprout Shooter - get rid of your sprouts with a wrapping paper cannon using your vacuum cleaner!
12. Crystal Constellations - grow your own galaxy of Christmas decorations with nothing more that pipe cleaners and salt.
The Big Bang Fair is the UK’s biggest celebration of science and engineering for young people. With over 100 interactive activities, the free event is held at ExCeL London from 14 – 17 March 2013, where some of the country's leading scientists and engineers will be on hand to showcase the great career options available, and youngsters can ask their burning questions in the special Careers Resources area.
The 12 experiments which can be found at www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/selectionboxscience