Erupting into Summer Jello Style!

This Summer we will be challenging our creative juices and exploring our imagination. Our little ones are like dry sponges, thirty to absorb knowledge!  The goal is to perform an experiment or craft each week day that will enhance their math, writing, reading, and science skills. 

We started the Summer off with "Erupting Jello". This is an experiment that I discovered on Pinterest. 

What you will need:
Two Colors of instant Jello mix
Vinegar

Baking Soda  

A tray

2 clear cups/bowls

A spoon

Place 1 1/2 to 2 tsp of sodium bicarbonate, baking soda, into the clear cups. Then add 1/2 of the package of Jello. Take this time to talk to the little ones about fractions. We discussed that the package was a whole and how we had to split the whole into equal halves. Before going further, discuss a hypothesis of what will occur once you add acid of the vinegar to the sodium bicarbonate. We also examined the light color of the jello powder. The girls came up with the theory of the powder reacting to the liquid enhancing the brightness of the lime and red. 

 Then it was time to erupt! The girls add the vinegar to the powders.  We placed about 4oz of vinegar into each cup.

 

 The girls theory of the color changing was correct and so was our hypothesis. We took this time to discover the reaction the acid had to the sodium that would have a cause and effect to erupt. This is a wonderful experiment for all ages! Seeing we are a melting pot of school age children, I have attached an informative link to that gives 5 reasons for the reaction.  

Reaction between baking soda and vinegar 

 The girls had a great time watching the colors erupt into each other. By using a spoon they were able to create designs by blending the colors into swirls. Then using their hands they created a brownish color by mixing one big mess. The girls have a science journal to log their experiments to enhance their writing.

Enjoy!