British Science Week is the perfect time to ignite curiosity and bring science to life in your classroom. At Rethink Food, we’re celebrating the magic of everyday ingredients with two fantastic, hands-on experiments that are as fun as they are educational. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step tutorial for our Skittles Colour Explosion and Dancing Raisins experiments. Get ready to explore the science behind colour, buoyancy, and more!
Experiment 1: Skittles Colour Explosion
What You’ll Need:
- A pack of Skittles (or any colourful candy with a hard shell)
- A white ceramic plate
- Warm water
- A timer (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Arrange Your Skittles:
Place the Skittles evenly around the edge of the white ceramic plate. A circular pattern works best to create a clear visual impact. - Add Warm Water:
Slowly pour warm water into the centre of the plate. The water should just touch the bottom of the Skittles without washing them away. - Observe the Magic:
Watch as the colours from the Skittles begin to dissolve and travel across the plate. The warm water dissolves the sugar coating, releasing vibrant hues that mix in fascinating patterns. - Discuss and Explore:
- Why do you think the colours spread out?
The water dissolves the sugar and releases the dye, which then diffuses across the plate. - What happens if you change the water temperature?
Experiment with colder or hotter water and observe any differences in how quickly the colours spread.
- Why do you think the colours spread out?
- Extend the Experiment:
Try arranging the Skittles in different patterns or even overlapping them slightly to see how the colour interactions change.
This experiment is a fantastic way to discuss concepts like dissolution, diffusion, and the effects of temperature on chemical reactions. Plus, it’s a visual treat that will captivate your students!
Experiment 2: Dancing Raisins
What You’ll Need:
- A clear glass or transparent container
- A can or bottle of carbonated soda (choose one with clear or light-colored soda for the best effect)
- A handful of raisins
- A stirrer (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare Your Container:
Pour the carbonated soda into the clear glass. Make sure there’s enough soda to fully submerge the raisins. - Add the Raisins:
Drop a few raisins into the glass. Watch as they sink to the bottom. - Observe the Dance:
Wait a few moments as bubbles from the soda begin to adhere to the surface of the raisins. As the bubbles collect, they increase the buoyancy of the raisins, causing them to rise toward the top. Once they reach the surface, the bubbles burst, and the raisins sink again. This cycle creates a fun “dancing” effect! - Discuss the Science:
- Why do the raisins move up and down?
The carbon dioxide bubbles in the soda attach to the rough surface of the raisins, making them buoyant enough to float. When the bubbles pop, the raisins lose their buoyancy and sink back down. - What variables can you change?
Experiment with different types of carbonated drinks or try adding a few pieces of other dried fruit and compare their “dance” moves.
- Why do the raisins move up and down?
- Encourage Further Exploration:
Ask students to predict which factors (e.g., raisin size, soda temperature) might affect the movement, and then test their hypotheses!
This delightful experiment offers a hands-on demonstration of buoyancy and gas behaviour, making it a perfect addition to your British Science Week celebrations.
Don’t forget to share your classroom’s experiments with us!
For more information and additional free resources to enhance your classroom, visit our Science Week 2025 page.
Happy experimenting and have a brilliant British Science Week!
