Stephanie Roselli - The Budding Scientist

Published by Gryphon House, Inc. PO Box 10, Lewisville, NC 27023 800.638.0928; 877-638-7576 (fax) Visit us on the web at www.gryphonhouse.com. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or technical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher. Every effort has been made to locate copyright and permission information. Cover illustration courtesy of Hannah Minney for iStock Photography.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The budding scientist / edited by Gryphon House; illustrations by Kathi Dery. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 978-0-87659-385-1 1. I. Dery, K. Whelan II. Whelan II.

Gryphon House (Firm) Q164.B94 2012 507.8--dc23 2011049292 Bulk Purchase Gryphon House books are available for special premiums and sales promotions as well as for fund-raising use. Special editions or book excerpts also can be created to specifications. For details, contact the Director of Marketing at Gryphon House. Disclaimer Gryphon House, Inc. cannot be held responsible for damage, mishap, or injury incurred during the use of or because of activities in this book. Appropriate and reasonable caution and adult supervision of children involved in activities and corresponding to the age and capability of each child involved is recommended at all times.

Do not leave children unattended at any time. Observe safety and caution at all times.

How do plants grow? Which things float? Do magnets work on everything? Although your child will enjoy experiencing the activities independently, the ideas in this book provide wonderful opportunities to explore the world with your child. Join in the exploration, and delight in the joy of discovering answers to questions. Hint: Many of these activities are inherently a bit messy, or the scientific process may create some mess. We recommend that young scientists cover up their clothes with a smock or old shirt before starting any activities.

Mixtures and Reactions

Mix vinegar and baking soda, and then stand back and watch the reaction! It erupts like a volcano! What Youll Need baking soda plastic dishpan small pitcher small plastic bottle with a wide mouth spoon vinegar What to Do Place a small plastic bottle in the plastic dishpan. Pour a small amount of vinegar into a small pitcher. Pour a small amount of vinegar into a small pitcher.

This will help you control the amount of vinegar used. Add the vinegar to the baking soda in the plastic bottle. As the vinegar mixes with the baking soda, a chemical reaction takes place and a foaming volcano erupts. Each time you want to repeat the eruption, add an additional two spoonfuls of baking soda. You can repeat this several times before you will have to pour out the liquid mixture and begin again. Try This! Do this activity outside in a sandbox.

You can build up a sand mountain around the bottle, then complete the process to make the sand volcano erupt. Books to Enjoy Volcano! The Icelandic Eruption of 2010 & Other Hot, Smoky Fierce, and Fiery Mountains by Judy Fradin and Dennis Fradin Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mount St. Helens by Patricia Lauber Volcano Wakes Up! by Lisa Westberg Peters Volcanoes by Franklyn M. Branley

Instead of dissolving in water, cornstarch makes an ishy-squishy ooze. What Youll Need cup cornstarch food coloring measuring cup measuring spoon -pound-size plastic margarine tub with lid, clean and dry 5 teaspoons water wooden or sturdy plastic spoon What to Do Place cornstarch, water, and food coloring into the margarine tub. Mix with a spoon until you have a thick paste.

The mixture will be stiff. Handle the mixture. What happens when you poke it? when you roll it? when you let it sit for a moment? This alien slime mixture will stay fresh for two or three days in an airtight container. Books to Enjoy Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman The Book of Slime by Ellen Jackson Dr. Xargles Book of Earthlets by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross How to Make Slime by Lori Shores Space Case by Edward Marshall

Observe what happens as a material changes from a liquid into a solid. Pour some liquid starch onto the tray along with a squirt of dish soap, and stir gently. Pour some liquid starch onto the tray along with a squirt of dish soap, and stir gently.

What do you notice about the mixture? Sprinkle in the glitter.