Summer Bubble Fun Activities!

What says “summer” more than a sunny day and blowing soap bubbles? Not many things could be considered as much fun, or a way to experiment. Try some of these bubble fun activities and maybe you can create your own Bubble Festival this summer.

Which Way Does the Wind Blow?

For this summer bubble activity you will need:

A: Bubble solution (find in the toy section of most stores)

B: Bubble wand (usually found in the bottle of bubbles)

C: A partner to help observe your bubbles

Dip your bubble wand into the bubble solution (caution: do not shake or stir bubble solution – foam does not work as well as clear bubble solution) and blow some bubbles. Have you and your bubble partner observe which direction the bubbles travel away from you. You can make a bubble “wind gauge” by checking out the way the bubbles move in the air. Watch the bubbles being carried along by the wind. Can you tell which direction the wind is blowing and how fast it is blowing by watching your bubbles? Visit our website for more information, www.smartcenter.org/bubblewind

Bubble Rainbow

The next summer bubble activity will use the same three materials as the first. This time you and your partner must pay special attention to look for colors seen on the surface of the bubbles. Where do these colors come from? Are the colors reflected from the surroundings? Find out more at www.smartcenter.org/bubblecolors

Big Bubbles

Use a large bubble wand for making big outdoor bubbles. Make the biggest bubble you can. What shape do the huge bubbles start out as and what shape do they eventually make? How big was your biggest bubble?

Geometric Bubbles

Scientists use bubbles to experiment with and investigate geometric shapes. You will need the following materials for this activity:

A: Toothpicks (small box)

B: Raisins (medium box, some for science, some for eating)

C: Super-Duper Bubble Solution (find the recipe below)

D: Medium-deep bowl

E: Thread or string

Build a variety of simple 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes with toothpicks and raisins. Make squares, cubes, triangles, pyramids, etc. Pour your S-D Bubble Solution into the bowl – deep enough to cover your geometric shapes. Tie the thread onto one of your shapes. Holding the other end of the thread, dip the geometric shape into the S-D Bubble Solution. Wait!!! Before you gently pull the shape out of the S-D Bubble Solution make a prediction (your hypothesis) of what the bubble film will look like on the toothpick and raisin frame. Now slowly pull the geometric shape up and out of the S-D Bubble Solution. Was your guess right? Now try the other shapes (don’t forget to make a hypothesis before each experiment). For more information on bubble shapes visit, www.smartcenter.org/bubbleshapes

SMART-Center’s Super-Duper Bubble Recipe:

In a well rinsed one-gallon container (gallon milk jug works well) place 4/5 of a gallon (3 liters) of warm / hot water. Slowly pour in (trickle) 1/2 cup (125 ml) of Joy or Dawn dish washing detergent (non-antibacterial works best). Slowly add 1/4 cup (63 ml) of glycerin (found at pharmacies) to this. Let this sit for a while before using. For a more complete description of the SMART-Center’s Super Duper Bubble Recipe, please visit our website, www.smartcenter.org/bubblerecipe

What’s Up? Free Monthly StarWatches at Brooke Hills Park:

Free monthly StarWatches will be held all summer on the third Friday of each month. The Near Earth Object Foundation, ASTROLABE Astronomy Club, and WLSC SMART-Center staff will host these Free public StarWatches at Brooke Hills Park’s Cardinal shelter starting at 8:00 p.m. Please visit www.smartcenter.org/whatsup/ for up-to-date listing of astronomy and other events.

Summer Science Camps at WLSC SMART-Center

This is a great time to think about going to some fun and educational summer activities and camps. This summer, the WLSC SMART-Center has several camps for scientists of various ages and interests, as well as other scheduled events and activities. Check the website www.smartcenter.org for more information and applications.

Moon and Mars Camp, July 10 - 11, 2006… Space Science Activities for students in Grades 3 – 7. Learn all about our Moon, and several of your favorite planets such as Mars and Saturn through fun activities. View the full moon, Jupiter, and Mars through telescopes at the family star watch each evening. Make rockets (several different kinds) and launch them. Use of the Brooke Hills Park pool and miniature golf will be incorporated into the activities for the camp. New activities for return campers!

Fun With Chemistry Camp, July 13 & 14, 2006… For students entering Grades 2 – 7. Grade level appropriate activities to engage young chemists in the concepts and techniques of chemistry.

Girls Enjoying Math and Science (GEMS) Camp, July 20 & 21, 2006… For students entering Grades 5 – 8. Learn and have fun at the same time with other girls who love science. An all female staff will engage the girls in interesting activities and experiments in many areas of science. Interact with hands-on exhibits, conduct investigations, experience the STARLAB, and participate in engineering challenges. All new activities this year!

Nanotechnology Camp, August 17 & 18, 2006… For students Grades 6 – 8.

Grade level appropriate activities will introduce this exciting new field to young scientists.

Libby and Robert Strong and Richard Pollack work at the West Liberty State College SMART-Center. Libby is the director of the West Virginia Handle On Science Program that brings hands-on science kits into the classrooms of K-6 grade public schools in the five counties of West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle. Robert is the director of the WLSC SMART-Center, the hands-on science center of northern West Virginia. Richard serves as the WLSC SMART-Center Assistant Program Coordinator. Libby, Robert, and Richard invite you to visit the SMART-Center website at www.smartcenter.org