Science, Bubbles, and Bright Sparks
If you walked past the Community Centre this Thursday, you might have heard a lot of “Oohs,” “Aahs,” and “Look at mine!” That’s because our Beaver Colony turned into a makeshift science lab for the evening.
As part of our Experiment Activity Badge, we decided to tackle a classic DIY project: The Homemade Lava Lamp. Not only is it a great way to practice following instructions and working together, but it also looks like actual magic (though the Beavers learned it’s actually chemistry!).
Mixing Oil and Water
Working in their Lodges, the Beavers got straight to work. The first big discovery of the night was watching what happens when you combine oil and water.
The Beavers noticed that no matter how much they shook the jars, the oil always floated right back to the top. They learned that because the water is "heavier" (denser), it stays at the bottom, creating two distinct layers—the perfect stage for a lava lamp.
The "Big Fizz"
The real excitement started when we added the "activator" to the jars. With everyone watching closely, the Beavers dropped in their effervescent tablets and the jars instantly came to life!
As the reaction started, bubbles of gas hitched a ride on the coloured water, floating up through the oil before popping at the top and sinking back down again. The room was filled with glowing jars of vibrant reds, blues, and greens as the "lava" began to groove.
What We Learned
Beyond the bubbles, our Beavers practised some fantastic skills:
- Observation: Describing exactly what happened to the bubbles as they moved through the different liquids.
- Precision: Learning how to pour carefully and use funnels to keep the Scout hut (mostly) clean!
- Curiosity: Asking "why" and "how" as they watched the chemical reaction unfold.
A huge well done to all our Beavers for being such curious scientists. They showed great teamwork and are now one step closer to earning that Experiment Badge!
