DIY Science Projects - Static Electricity

An important aspect of engaging younger kids towards science is to add the element of fun in the learning process. Younger kids in the age group of 5-7 are inquisitive about the world around them. They want to experience new things and learn from them through exploration. This curiosity in kids can be used positively by involving them in DIY science projects. We will highlight this point by using an example science project with a clear learning outcome.

Static electricity is an interesting scientific phenomenon. It tells us that it is possible for an object to have an imbalance of positive or negative charges within or on its surface until they are discharged. For kids, such concepts can be hard to grasp at times. That is why it is better to demonstrate such topics through a hands on learning process like a science project.

Project #1 Water Bending!

Things you will need:

• A water container
• Water colors
• Small cups of water
• A hair comb
• A head full of hairs!
  

Process:

• We start off with pouring the water from the water container into the small cups.
• Now we will add different colors in each cup and mix them well so that the water completely absorbs the color.
• The next step would be to thoroughly comb a full head of hair. We will repeat the combing motion as much as possible and we can also rub the comb on the head as well.
• The cups will now be held above the empty container in such a way that it is as close to the center of the container as possible so that any spills can be avoided.
• We will gently start pouring the cup into the container while holding the comb as close to the stream as possible.
• The stream of the water can be seen bending towards the comb. The colors will make the bend more visible and the degree of the bend can be varied by changing the distance of the comb from the stream.
• Try the same process with different cups and observe the mysterious bending of water.
• Once the container is filled up, all the colors will mix to create new blends of colors.
• We can again repeat the process using the same mix of colors by pouring them back into cups. This would allow us to conserve water since it is an important resource and should not be wasted.
  

Learning Outcomes:
So what caused the mysterious bending of the water? The answer is static electricity. When we combed or rubbed the hair, the excess electrons on our hair were deposited on the comb. When this negatively charged comb was brought near to the water, it was able to attract the positive charge on the water and, as a result, the water stream started bending towards the comb.