Science Lesson Starters Set

Learn About the Presence of Ultraviolet Light With Color Changing-Beads

We can’t see ultraviolet rays, but kids learn they’re there with these special beads. Make bracelets or necklaces while the beads are white, and then wear them outside. The ultraviolet-sensitive pigment changes the beads from white to the assorted colors of blue, green, orange, purple, red, and yellow, even on a cloudy day! Your young scientists will learn that UV light is all around them, even when they can’t see it. Bring the beads inside and they will revert back to white since they are no longer exposed to UV rays. The beads will change over and over again without fading.

What does it teach?
UV Color Changing Beads harness the power of ultraviolet rays to change colors right before your eyes. Use the beads to teach kids about the ultraviolet radiation and the care that needs to be taken to prevent the damage it may cause. Ultraviolet (UV) light is the invisible radiation that will give you a sunburn and injure your eyes if you’re not careful.

Turn the UV beads into a cool science experiment
To turn the UV beads into a science fair project, you have to change something (identify a variable), run some more tests, and make some comparisons. Find several different types of medicine bottles and test to see which one is the most effective in blocking the the beads from the damaging UV rays. Other ideas are to examine the UV-blocking powers of different sunglasses, and to test different sunscreens by placing the beads in a zipper-lock bag and covering the bag in sunscreen.

Remember, you have to keep all other factors the same. Use the same light sources and the same number of beads. There are many ways to use UV Beads for a science fair project. We have written up a sample science fair experiment called The Sunscreen Factor that walks you through a project step-by-step. If you are interested in a simple, straightforward, and quick science fair project, be sure to check it out. It doesn’t do the work for you… you wouldn’t want that anyway, right? It does give you a template to follow to ensure that you use the scientific method, control your variables, and document your discoveries.

They Really Are a Sun Science Must-Have!
UV Color Changing Beads are the perfect tool for testing sunscreen and sunglasses, or creating beautiful crafts of art using the science of the sun. It’s no surprise that these special beads are hugely popular with both science teachers and summer camp leaders… there is just nothing like them!

Do the Beads Fade Over Time?
After we left the beads out for the entire day and brought them inside, they returned to white.

Make Water Disappear Like a Magician!Amaze your friends while learning about hydrogels.As seen on the Ellen DeGeneres show, and also known as slush powder, Water Gel turns from a powder to a gel in just seconds. Sodium polyacrylate absorbs from 500-800 times its weight in water and is actually the secret ingredient that’s used to absorb “liquid” in baby diapers! An Activity Guide with lots of fun, hands-on polymer science tricks to play on your friends is also included. Recommended for children ages 6 and up.How does it work?When you add water to this superabsorbent polymer, it instantly turns from a liquid to a slushy solid. What does it teach?Water Gel is the perfect way to demonstrate how polymers work. The gel is a superabsorbent polymer that can help illustrate how farmers can save their crops in times of drought and what kind of material is in a baby diaper!Super Absorbent Polymer PowderWater Gel soaks up to 500 – 800 times its weight in water in seconds! It uses sodium polyacrylate – the secret ingredient used to absorb “liquid” in diapers!Science Fair ConnectionTurn Water Gel into a fun science fair project by simply identifying a variable (something that might change the outcome) in the experiment, then testing that variable, and correctly reporting the results.Instruction Cards Included with 4 ExperimentsThe Amazing Disappearing ActThe Polymer Pencil PokeWhere’s the Water?Maximum Capacity ChallengeRecommended ages 6+.Adult supervision required. Do not ingest.

• Make water disappear like a magician
  
• This superabsorbent polymer powder soaks up 500-800 times its weight in water
  
• Turns from a powder to gel in just seconds
  
• Discover the secret powder used in diapers!
  
• What’s Included?
  
• Water Gel polymer 2.6 oz. (75 g)
  
• Plastic Tank
  
• Instruction Cards

Magic sand may look like ordinary sand… but just try to get it wet!Magic Sand begins as normal looking sand, until it’s dyed and coated with a substance that repels water. This coating keeps the sand dry even after it has been dumped into a container of water. Build castles and other structures under the water, then simply pour the water off when you’re finished and the sand is still dry! You can use it for fun science experiments again and again! Colors vary.How does it work?Ordinary sand is free flowing and cannot form a structure that holds its shape. Because of its water-repellent properties, when Magic Sand is poured into water, it holds its shape and can even be molded into structures under water.What does it teach?Learn about the properties of water molecules and how hydrophobic products work. Students can experiment with Magic Sand and then ordinary sand and note the differences in water-repellent properties.The possibilities are endless!Steve Spangler’s Magic Sand is a hydrophobic polymer; sand that never gets wet! It can be used to build underwater sandcastles! Also, Magic Sand is a reusable science toy! When finished, simply pour the water off and let the sand dry! You can use it for science experiments again and again!Learn about water molecule propertiesDiscover the differences between Steve Spangler’s Magic Sand and ordinary sand for a fun science experiment or lesson!Instruction Card Included with 3 ExperimentsWhat Makes Magic Sand Magic?Waterproof FingerUnderwater SandcastlesRecommended for ages 6+.Adult Supervision Required. Do Not Ingest.

• It's a hydrophobic polymer! Yes, sand that never gets wet!
  
• Build underwater sand castles
  
• Explore the differences between Magic Sand with regular sandWhat’s Included?
  
• Blue Magic Sand – 2.12 oz (60 g)
  
• Red Magic Sand – 2.12 oz (60 g)
  
• Yellow Magic Sand – 2.12 oz (6 0g)
  
• Clear Plastic Tank
  
• Instruction Cards

Amaze everyone by blowing up a Windbag with just 1 breath!How many breaths does it take to inflate an 8 ft Windbag? 70 breaths, maybe? Why even try? With a simple science secret, you can amaze your students and friends by blowing up your Windbag in one breath! If you don't believe it, try this amazing science activity! Windbags are so light and strong that even the smallest scientist can demonstrate the amazing properties of air!How does it work?Tie a knot in the end of the 8' ft x 10" in bag and stretch it out on a smooth surface. Blow into the bag using the special science secret and your Windbag inflates with one breath! The Activity Guide is filled with fun science experiments.What does it teach?Use this air-mazing experience to learn about the properties of air molecules and how they move. Demonstrate the scientific principle called the Bernoulli Effect, which explains why you can blow up the amazing Windbag with only one breath! Expand your focus and use this opportunity to discuss how air pressure creates weather systems that move across the continents and how airplanes fly!

• Amaze everyone by blowing up a Windbag with just 1 breath!
  
• Windbags are 8 feet long and can be inflated in just one or two breaths
  
• Learn about Bernoulli's principle and the properties of air pressure with this incredible demonstration
  
• Colors will vary

Just add water to this powder and watch it erupt into fluffy white "snow" in seconds! Kids won't believe their eyes! Let it dry and reuse it again and again. Teaches about the science of polymers, matter and its interactions, and water absorption.

• Expands 100X Instantly! Use the included scoop to measure the right amount of powder...add water...and wait for the ooohs and aaahs!
  
• Explore Polymer Science, Matter And Its Interactions and Water Absorption: Comes with a laminated, full-color, science experiment card that tells you how to use it (it's easy!), and an explanation of the science behind it all.
  
• Use It Over And Over: Just let the snow dry out, and you can use it again and again.
  
• 'Cool' Science Demos And More: In addition to science demonstrations with a major wow factor, Insta-Snow® can be used for science fair projects, chemistry lessons, and early childhood sensory tables.
  
• Steve Spangler Makes Science Memorable: Insta-Snow® from Steve Spangler Science™ helps you turn science lessons into awesome science experiences.
  
• Great For School Or Home: Teachers or parents can make it snow indoors and amaze their kids while teaching them cool science.Make it snow anytime, anywhere with Insta-Snow®...and learn about the science of polymers.

For a long time, food coloring was the only way to color liquids, but food coloring stains very easily. Steve Spangler set out to find an alternative to food coloring and found Color Fizzers. These True Color Tablets, sometimes called Tub Tints, are the size of a small candy, but can color up to 1 liter of water. Fizzers, when dropped into water and other liquids, dissolve and add vivid colors to the liquids without staining your hands.

• How does it work?: Color Fizzers are a combination of pigment, citric acid (as in citrus), sodium bicarbonate (plain baking soda), and a binder. All of these are water soluble with the added bonus that citric acid and sodium bicarbonate react in water to release carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. That’s what you see in the fizzing bubbles. They serve to mix the pigment more effectively.
  
• What Colors are Included?: Fizzers come in the three primary colors: blue, red, and yellow. You can mix the tablets together to create even more colors.
  
• Combine Tablets to Create Up to Seven Colors: These tablets are perfect for color mixing. They won’t stain hands or surfaces and come in the three primary colors, which can be mixed to create a rainbow of new colors. Mix the red and blue tablets together to make a purple liquid. Combine the yellow and blue ones to create a green liquid. The possibilities are genuinely endless. Mix, match, and mix some more!
  
• Learn About the Color Wheel Without Staining Your Hands: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and back to red. Mix the tablets together to create other colored concoctions and learn about the color wheel without staining your hands, desktops, or floors the way food coloring can.
  
• Fizzing tub tint tablets for true color mixing
  
• 1 tablet can color up to 1 liter of water
  
• Fizzers come in 100 packs with an assortment of the primary colors: blue, red, and yellow
  
• Won’t stain hands or surfaces