Things You'll Need
Water
Lemon juice
Soda pop
Soap
Fruit juice
Vinegar
Milk
Clear glass container
Pencil
Aluminum foil
The Tasty Science kit manufactured by Giddy Up! contains the necessary items to conduct food experiments in your own kitchen. This kit is recommended for children 8 and up, but children should always have the help of an adult when performing these experiments. While none of the experiments is dangerous and all of them are edible, some may stain your work surface or burn your hands if not handled with care.
Acid, Base or Neutral
Step 1
Set the four test tubes in the test tube stand.
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Step 2
Fill the first three test tubes 1/3 full of water.
Step 3
Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the second test tube and 1 teaspoon of citric acid to the third test tube.
Step 4
Fill the fourth test tube with another liquid such as lemon juice, soda pop, soapy water, fruit juice, vinegar or milk.
Step 5
Label each tube with the name of its contents using the supplied labels.
Step 6
Lay out four pieces of litmus paper. The paper changes color when in the presence of an acid (red or orange) or a base (green). When the solution is neutral, the paper will not change.
Step 7
Use a pipette to place a drop of each solution on a separate piece of paper. Flush the pipette with water before sampling a new solution.
Step 8
Record your results.
Step 9
Continue your investigation by testing other household liquids.
Explosive Results
Step 1
Pour the contents of baking soda test tube into the citric acid test tube of the above experiment.
Step 2
Observe the reaction. The combination of baking soda and citric acid is violent and causes the release of carbon dioxide gas, or fizz.
Step 3
Stir the mixture with the pipette, and then place a drop onto a piece of litmus paper.
Step 4
Observe the results and compare them to the results obtained in the above experiment for the individual solutions.
Homemade Fizzy Drinks
Step 1
Clean and dry your test tubes.
Step 2
Add 1 teaspoon each of citric acid and baking soda to the test tube.
Step 3
Add 2 teaspoons of sugar to the test tube.
Step 4
Add ½ teaspoons of one of the powdered flavorings provided in the kit.
Step 5
Pour ¼ cup of water into the test tube and watch the reaction.
Step 6
Stir the contents and drink. You have just made your very own fizzy drink.
Step 7
Experiment with different amounts of ingredients to get the fizziest, best tasting soda.
Growing Candy
Step 1
Dangle the string into a jar or tall, clear glass and cut the string so that it touches the bottom and rises above the container at least 1 inch.
Step 2
Tie the string to a pencil.
Step 3
Add 2 cups of water to a microwave safe bowl and heat for 3 minutes or until boiling.
Step 4
Remove the bowl from the microwave carefully and stir in 4 cups of sugar and 1 or more teaspoons of the flavoring of your choice.
Step 5
Pour the sugar solution into the container from Step1.
Step 6
Lay the pencil across the mouth of the container and allow the string to dangle in the solution.
Step 7
Remove the string and allow it to dry on a piece of foil for two days.
Step 8
Cover the sugar solution and store at room temperature.
Step 9
Lay the pencil across the mouth of the container again and allow the string to dangle in the solution.
Step 10
Watch the string over the next seven days. Sugar crystals will slowly begin to grow on the string.
Step 11
Remove the string from the solution carefully, and place it on a piece of foil.
Step 12
Allow the candy to dry over night and then enjoy.
Tip
To receive a replacement copy of the original Tasty Science Kit instructions, visit the Giddy Up! website, select Contact and fill out the request form.
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