I love the elementary school science fair. I have plans to sneak back in, even when my kids are grown, just for the pleasure of watching the baking-soda-and-vinegar volcanoes erupt. There’s something magical about science fair night…when everyone is herded outside for the messiest of the demonstrations, and the grownups are required to just stand around and watch helplessly while things explode. I find it delightful.
There were volcanoes galore tonight, earthquake demonstrations, solar system models, a trained mouse, some really terrific rockets, and a most spectacular Mentos/Diet Coke display…
We all clapped and cheered. And if I ever write a book about a science fair, you can bet your Mentos this scene will make an appearance.
That is so cool! We didn’t have science fairs when I was a kid. I wish we had.
My hubby is dying to do the mentos/diet coke thing. I think he fancies himself setting off a few at a time and coordinating it to music a la YouTube style. Yeah right.
In my developmental life skills class we did the Mentos and Diet Coke eruption this year — at Hobby Lobby you can buy a kit that makes it possible to trigger the eruption from a distance so that you don’t get soaked by the foam. Of course, staying dry takes away some of the excitement.
That’a a great photo, by the way.
Great picture!!
Okay, now, I want to buy a pack of Mentos and a Diet Coke and drop a Mento in, just for fun… What a great picture. Thank you for sharing!
Kate, you need to write that book. If only to include that great picture.
Me too! I would have loved making things explode like this.
Now THAT sounds cool – be sure to share the link when he actually does it!
The girls thought they’d have time to back away, but it was quick!
Thanks – I loved it – especially her expression.
Thanks – I wanted to run right home & try it, too!
I’ve always had a thing for science fairs, so maybe…
Geyser Tube toy
Oh, I love science fairs too!! My kids convinced me to buy that device with the string at Hobby Lobby. It was created by science guy Steve Spangler. He was the one who started the entire YouTube phenomenon with this experiment. He has tons of videos on his website of all the crazy ways he has done this geyser. My kids LOVE to go onto his site and find science experiments for us to do at home. Here is where we learned the science behind this soda geyser reaction: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000109 Science moms unite!
I want to freeze a mento inside an ice cube and then serve it in someone’s diet coke. Only hilarity could ensue!
science fairs
I got to judge a science fair this year at the Montessori elementary school in Albany. There were so many creative projects! One student tested the durability of man-made fabrics vs. natural. Another had his family members drive the same course on Mario Kart with various distractions, then compared the finish times. He had his little sister play with toys while driving and recommended that we never try it! And one distraction he would’ve added in the next experiment? “Personal grooming.”