technokids club

frostyplaceholderHappy holidays!

It’s winter time in the United States and that means a break from school for most students. But a break from school doesn't mean you can’t still have fun with science! This issue of the TechnoKids Club newsletter is packed with three holiday-themed projects. No matter what holiday you celebrate, there is something for you to do.

Happy Holidays from the College of Engineering and Computing!

(If you do any of these projects, please send us a photo!)

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For more info on the kids club, contact Cyndy Buckhaults, cyndy@cec.sc.edu, 803/777-0947




Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

fake snowplaceholder

We don't get a lot of snow here in South Carolina, so let’s make some! Here are two easy projects: one to make some fake snow and one to make after you’ve made snow.

FAKE SNOW
You can make fake snow using a common polymer, sodium polyacrylate. The fake snow is non-toxic, feels cool to the touch, lasts for days, and looks similar to the real thing.

You will need:
•  Fake snow – sodium polyacrylate from common household sources such as inside disposable diapers or as crystals in a garden center, used to help keep soil moist
•  Water
• Food coloring (optional)

All you need to do to make this type of fake snow is add water to the sodium polyacrylate. Add some water, mix the gel. Add more water until you have the desired amount of wetness. The gel will not dissolve. It’s just a matter of how “slushy” you want your snow. If you want drier snow, you can reduce the amount of water the polymer can absorb by adding a small amount of salt.

fake snowplaceholder Your fake snow will feel cool to the touch because it is mainly water. You can refrigerate or freeze it. The gel will not melt. If it dries out, you can rehydrate it by adding water.

If you want yellow snow (or some other color), you can mix food coloring into the fake snow.

When you’re done playing with it, it’s safe to throw away.

SNOW GLOBE
Take a clean mason jar with lid. Glue miniature fake trees or other miniature decorations to the inside of the lid. Add some of your fake snow to the jar and screw on the lid. (Instead of fake snow, you can use Epsom salts.)

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Magic Crystal Tree

The magic part of the magic crystal tree is partly how quickly the crystals grow and partly the thought of a paper or sponge tree magically sprouting crystal foliage.

fake snowplaceholderYou will need:
• 6 tablespoons water
• 6 tablespoons table salt (preferably uniodized)
• 6 tablespoons Mrs. Stewart’s liquid laundry bluing (click here for list of where to find in your area)
• 1 tablespoon household ammonia
• food coloring (optional)
• sponge or cardboard
• shallow dish

For the crystalizing solution, dissolve the salt in the water and stir in the bluing liquid and the ammonia.

For your “tree” or other shape, you can either use a sponge or cardboard.

Sponge method
 Cut a sponge into the shape that you want, set it in a shallow dish, and pour the crystalizing solution over the sponge. Set the dish someplace where it won't be disturbed. You can dot the sponge with food coloring, if desired. Depending on the temperature and humidity, crystals may start to appear on the sponge in less than an hour. You should have a nice set of crystals if you let the dish sit out overnight.

Cardboard method
 Cut out two identical shapes – cutting one halfway down the top and the other halfway up from the bottom, match the cut ends together, and create a standing 3-dimensional shape. You can decorate your shape with food coloring. Set your shape in a shallow dish that contains the crystalizing solution. Crystals will start to grow on your shape as the liquid is wicked up the paper and evaporates.

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fake snowplaceholder

New use for old pennies

A handful of old pennies will make your holidays shine! This project will show you how to copper plate steel ornaments.

You will need:
•  Metal for the ornament – squares of galvanized sheet metal (drill a hole at the top for hanging), craft metal from a hobby shop, galvanized wire, etc.
•  sandpaper or steel wool
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
fake snowplaceholder•  1 teaspoon salt
•  20-30 pennies
•  masking tape (optional)

For the copper plating solution, pour the salt and vinegar into a bowl. Stir until the salt dissolves. Dump the the pennies into the liquid. You will see the pennies start to be cleaned for several seconds. Leave the pennies in the liquid for 5 minutes before removing them. You will use this liquid for the copper plating.

Make your ornament out of your galvanized steel materials – cut out a shape, wrap wire around a sphere, form thick wire to a shape... be creative!

Once you have a shape you like, use sandpaper or steel wool to smooth any rough edges. If you want part of the ornament to stay the color of the steel, cover those areas with masking tape.

Dip the ornament in the copper plating solution until the uncovered areas are coated with copper. Optional: Use a cotton swab dipped in the solution to paint a design onto the metal. Allow 10 minutes to pass and then take a look at the ornament. Is it now copper colored? If not, return the ornament to the solution and check it again after an hour. Once the ornament is the color you want, remove it from the solution, rinse it with water, remove any masking tape, and allow your decoration to dry.

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