Looking for a simple experiment that the kids can do at home? This one combines both art and science! In this experiment you can make art come alive with just a little water!
What you need:
- A plate with a shiny surface, or a glass dish
- A dry erase marker (NOT a permanent marker)
- Water
- Have some paper towel nearby in case you spill a little water
First, draw a picture with the dry erase marker on your plate or dish. Have fun with this!
Draw anything you want, if you have more than one color marker, even better.
Wait just a minute to make sure you drawing is dry.
Then, take the water and very slowly add a little water to the plate. Watch how the art starts to come alive, lifting off the plate and moving around.
You can move the plate to put the art in motion, or touch the marker now, pick it up with your finger, or lift it off the plate.
The science: the ink from the dry erase marker is less dense than the water.
When you add the water, it lifts the ink off the plate. Density plays an important role when when we talk about weather and air masses. For example, cold air is more dense than warm air, so cold air sinks, and warm air rises.
Let Kristen know if you try this experiment! Find her through social media on Twitter and Facebook.