Home Experiments

November 17, 2023
Three glasses of different colored liquids are sitting on a table.

Easy Science Experiments to Try at Home


This article will share fun and easy science experiments that kids can do at home. We will show how science can be super fun and how kids can learn cool things by doing simple experiments with stuff they find around the house. We want to make science exciting for kids and easy for parents and teachers to share.

 

MAKE A VOLCANO IN YOUR KITCHEN


Making a baking soda volcano in your kitchen is a fascinating scientific experiment with the added "wow" effect of an explosion.


Ingredients/Materials


  • 3 to 7 cups warm water
  • Red food colouring
  • 5 drops dishwashing detergent
  • 2 tbsp. baking soda
  • 2 cups white vinegar


Supplies/Tools


  • Empty soda bottle (2 litre depending on how big you want your volcano)
  • Baking pan or large tray
  • Funnel


Instructions


1.  Create Your Volcano Structure


Place the plastic bottle in a baking pan or large tray and mould your volcano around it using play dough.

Whichever technique you choose to create your volcanic cone, be sure to keep the bottle opening free of material. Use the bottle cap or cover the opening with tape to prevent any material from getting in the bottle.


2.   Load Your Volcano

 

Using the funnel, fill the bottle two-thirds full with warm water and a few drops of food colouring. Add the dishwashing detergent and baking soda to the liquid in the bottle and give it a gentle stir.

 


   3. Prepare for the Explosion


Before adding the final ingredient, make sure that you're wearing some sort of protection over your eyes. Keep your face away from the volcano as the mixture may shoot up quite a bit, especially if you used a smaller bottle.

As precisely as possible (without using the funnel), pour the vinegar into the bottle and get ready for your miniature-sized volcanic eruption.


Try different amounts of vinegar. Try different amounts of baking soda. Try different sized and shaped bottles.


CREATE RAINBOW IN A GLASS

 

Ingredients


Sugar, water, food colouring, and 5 glasses or clear plastic cups.


INSTRUCTIONS


  1. Arrange five glasses in a row. 1 tablespoon (15 g) sugar in the first glass, 2 teaspoons (30 g) sugar in the second glass, 3 tablespoons (45 g) sugar in the third glass, and 4 tablespoons (60 g) sugar in the fourth glass. The fifth glass is still empty.


 

 

Add 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of water to each of the first 4 glasses. Stir each solution. Each solution should be stirred. If the sugar does not dissolve in any of the four glasses, add another tablespoon (15 ml) of water to each.

Fill the first glass with 2-3 drops of red food colouring, the second with 2-3 drops of yellow food colouring, the third with 3 drops of green food colouring, and the fourth with 3 drops of blue food colouring. Each solution should be stirred.


Now, utilizing the various density solutions, let's create a rainbow. Fill the remaining glass about a quarter of the way with the blue sugar solution.


Layer some green sugar solution on top of the blue liquid with care. Put a spoon in the glass, just above the blue layer, and slowly pour the green solution over the back of the spoon.


If you do it correctly, you won't affect the blue solution at all. Fill the glass halfway with the green solution.

Using the back of the spoon, place the yellow solution on top of the green liquid. Fill the glass three-quarters of the way.


Finally, pour the crimson solution on top of the yellow liquid. Fill the glass up to the brim.


 

MAKE A BOUNCY EGG

 

Supplies Needed


  •    Raw Egg
  •    Clear Glass or Jar
  •    White Vinegar


Instructions


  1.  Place an egg carefully into a jar.
  2.  Fill a jar with vinegar until the egg is fully covered.


  1.  Leave egg for 24 hours, then drain the old vinegar and add fresh vinegar.
  2.  Check on the progress each day and note how the egg changes.
  3.  After three days, carefully remove the egg from the jar and rinse with water.


The egg will now look translucent, and the yolk can be seen from the outside. Allow your child to gently “bounce” the egg from a small height, about 6 inches or less.


PLAY WITH STATIC ELECTRICITY USING A BALOON

 

What You Need

• 2 balloons

• Light string, thread, or curling ribbon

• Wool fabric (socks, mittens, or sweater)

• Gift tissue paper

• Aluminium can (empty, on its side)

 

Instructions

1. Blow up the balloons and tie a light string to each


2. Hold a balloon by the string (it should be hanging down) and bring the balloon close to each of the materials (the second balloon, the tissue paper, and the aluminium can).


 

         

3.Rub both balloons onto your hair or onto the wool fabric.

                               

 

EXPLORING DENSITY - FLOATING EGG EXPERIMENT

 

Equipment needed

  • Measuring cups (1 cup and ¼ cup)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 clear beakers or glasses
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Food colouring
  • Spoon

What to do


1. Fill one of the glasses with 1 cup of water.

2. Gently drop one egg into the water and watch what happens.

3. Fill the second glass with 1 cup of water and ¼ cup of salt.

4. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.

5. Add a few drops of food colouring to the salt water and stir to mix.

6. Gently drop the second egg into the glass and watch what happens.     


 

 

 

How AI is Changing Education Responsibly

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By Andrison Muzinda: Head of Standard 7 GIS Parent: 1. Will AI replace teachers? 2. Should my child be using AI at school? These are questions I hear often from parents, and they are understandable. Artificial Intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, from the phones we use to the way we work. Naturally, parents want to know what it means for their children's education. As an educator, I have learnt that the real question is not whether children will use AI, but how schools can guide them to use it responsibly, ethically and effectively. The answer lies in a partnership that is technology working hand in hand with excellent teaching. AI is a tool, not a Replacement The best schools, like Gaborone International School, have always adapted to change while keeping children's needs at the centre. AI is not different. In my experience, the most meaningful learning still happens through strong relationships when a teacher notices a child's growth in confidence, a class discussion that sparks curiosity or a moment when a learner finally understands a difficult concept. AI cannot replace these human experiences. What it can do is help teachers personalise learning and give students more opportunities to grow. Personalised Learning One of the greatest strengths of AI is its ability to adapt learning to each child. In Gaborone International School, platforms such as AdvLearn provide learners with targeted practice and immediate feedback, helping them master concepts at their own pace. On the other hand, assessment tools like MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) allow teachers to identify strengths and areas for improvement, enabling instruction that is tailored to individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. For younger learners, AI supported Guided Readers can recommend books at the right reading level and monitor progress, helping children build confidence and develop a love of reading. As teachers, we still interpret the data, encourage learners and make professional decisions. AI simply gives us better information to support every child. Creativity and Innovation Responsible use of AI also means preparing children for the future. This is why our school introduced robotics programmes, where learners design, build and programme solutions to real-world problems while developing creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills. We also use Virtual Reality headsets to transform learning experiences. For instance, learners explore the solar system as if they are travelling through space. These immersive experiences make learning memorable and meaningful. The goal is not to impress students with technology but to deepen understanding and inspire curiosity. Ethics Matters Of course, with great opportunities come important responsibilities. Children need guidance on when and how to use AI. They must learn to think critically, verify information and understand that AI-generated content is not always accurate. At Gaborone International School, this means teaching digital citizenship alongside digital skills. Students should know that AI can help them brainstorm ideas or practise concepts, but it should never replace their own thinking, creativity or integrity. As educators, we have a duty to model responsible use and to create clear guidelines that protect learners while encouraging innovation. What Parents Can Do Parents do not need to be AI experts; instead, they should ask their children questions like: How are you using AI at school? What are you learning from using AI? Is AI helping you to think differently? These conversations teach children that technology is most powerful when paired with curiosity, good judgment, and strong values. Takeaway AI is changing education, and that change brings exciting possibilities. When used thoughtfully, tools such as AdvLearn, MAP, Guided Readers, robotics and VR can enrich learning and help children thrive. However, the heart of education remains unchanged: caring teachers, supportive families and young people who are encouraged to think, question and dream. The schools that will lead the future are not those that simply adopt the latest technology but the ones that use it responsibly, keeping children at the centre of every decision, and that is exactly the kind of future every parent wants for their child.

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