There's nothing like a fun science experiment to add a little life and activity to a dreary afternoon. You know what's even better, though? Being able to eat your science experiment.
It's a bit more satisfying to make something and then, rather than just toss it in the trash, toss it in your mouth. Put some of these science experiments to the test, and enjoy a little snack while you're at it!
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1. Honeycomb
This is a delicious sugary treat that also doubles as an experiment. You'll really enjoy watching this mixture froth and expand. The scientific ingredient is bicarbonate of soda.
This is a delicious sugary treat that also doubles as an experiment. You'll really enjoy watching this mixture froth and expand. The scientific ingredient is bicarbonate of soda.
What happens is the bicarbonate of soda breaks down with heat and releases carbon dioxide gas. The gas causes the sugar and syrup mixture to froth and bubble. The bubbles even become trapped in the mixture and stay. Pretty cool!
2. Glow-in-the-dark jello (h/t Instructables)
Jello was my favorite treat when I was a kid, and I still love it today. Little did I know that all these years, I could've been making glow-in-the-dark jello. The secret ingredient for this science experiment is tonic water.
Jello was my favorite treat when I was a kid, and I still love it today. Little did I know that all these years, I could've been making glow-in-the-dark jello. The secret ingredient for this science experiment is tonic water.
Tonic water contains quinine, which is a fluorescent substance. Ultraviolet light is absorbed within the substance and then re-emitted. The quinine glows because the light emitted has a longer wavelength than the one absorbed, which makes the light visible. The experiment is simple: When you make your jello, swap in tonic water for the tap water. It's that easy.
3. Edible glass
Real glass is made out of the purest sand. It's heated up until it is so hot that the sand becomes molten, which is when a substance gets so hot it turns to a liquid. You can do this with sugar rather than sand to make your own edible glass. Watch this video to see how it's done.
Real glass is made out of the purest sand. It's heated up until it is so hot that the sand becomes molten, which is when a substance gets so hot it turns to a liquid. You can do this with sugar rather than sand to make your own edible glass. Watch this video to see how it's done.
4. Edible water bottle
This is probably the coolest way to drink water ever! An edible water bottle is made by a process called spherification, which is basically a liquid with a soft membrane that you can ingest.
This is probably the coolest way to drink water ever! An edible water bottle is made by a process called spherification, which is basically a liquid with a soft membrane that you can ingest.
To do this experiment, you combine sodium alginate with drinking water, then put the mixture in calcium lactate. When you put it in the calcium lactate, a gelatinous membrane forms, and the water stays liquid inside the membrane. What you end up with is a unique way to consume water without a cup or water bottle.
5. Fizzy sherbet (h/t Laughing Kids Learn)
This edible science experiment is not to be confused with frozen sorbet or sherbert. Sherbet is a light and sugary powder that is common in Australia. It is tingly on your tongue when ingested.
This edible science experiment is not to be confused with frozen sorbet or sherbert. Sherbet is a light and sugary powder that is common in Australia. It is tingly on your tongue when ingested.
What makes this stuff fizz is the ingredient citric acid (you can also use baking soda). When it mixes together with the saliva in your mouth, a gas is released that causes a fizzy chemical reaction.
6. Growing gummy bears (h/t Tinker Lab)
Whether or not you choose to eat these gummy bears after the experiment is up to you. They might be a little waterlogged. By placing gummy bears in a bowl of water, you can experiment and see how much they will grow.
Whether or not you choose to eat these gummy bears after the experiment is up to you. They might be a little waterlogged. By placing gummy bears in a bowl of water, you can experiment and see how much they will grow.
The gummy bears won't dissolve because they are made up of water, sugar and gelatin. Because of this, they absorb water like a sponge. The gelatin keeps the bears from dissolving.
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