7 Fun Classroom Experiments for World Science Day

World Science Day is coming up on Monday, November 11th – the perfect chance to bring science to life with engaging, hands-on experiments! Here’s a selection of easy, classroom-friendly activities to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and create an unforgettable learning experience. Let’s get experimenting!

1. Rainbow Milk Experiment

What you need: Whole milk, food coloring, dish soap, cotton swabs

Instructions: Pour milk into a shallow dish, then add a few drops of different food coloring around the edges. Dip a cotton swab in dish soap and touch it to the center of the milk. Watch as the colors swirl and create a “milk rainbow.”

Science behind it: The soap breaks down the fat in the milk, causing the colours to swirl in a reaction that’s fascinating to watch!

2. Build a Baking Soda Volcano

What you need: Baking soda, vinegar, red food coloring, small plastic bottle, tray, modeling clay (optional)

Instructions: Place the bottle on a tray and surround it with modeling clay to form the shape of a volcano. Mix baking soda with red food coloring in the bottle, then pour vinegar into it to create an eruption.

Science behind it: When baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) mix, they produce carbon dioxide gas, creating the eruption effect.

3. Static Electricity Butterfly Wings

What you need: Tissue paper, cardstock, scissors, balloons

Instructions: Cut a butterfly shape from cardstock and delicate wings from tissue paper, then tape the wings to the body. Rub the balloon on hair or fabric to create static electricity, then bring it close to the butterfly wings and watch them flutter.

Science behind it: The static electricity from the balloon causes the tissue paper wings to be attracted to it, simulating the fluttering of a butterfly.

4. DIY Lava Lamp

What you need: Clear bottle or jar, water, vegetable oil, food coloring, effervescent tablet (like Alka-Seltzer)

Instructions: Fill the bottle one-third with water, then add vegetable oil until nearly full. Add a few drops of food coloring, then drop in an effervescent tablet. Watch as the bubbles start to move like a lava lamp!

Science behind it: The tablet releases carbon dioxide gas, which carries colored water bubbles through the oil in mesmerising movements.

5. Growing Crystal Garden

What you need: Table salt, warm water, bowl, spoon, paper towel

Instructions: Dissolve as much salt as you can in warm water, stirring until fully saturated. Pour the solution into a shallow dish and place a paper towel partially submerged. Over time, crystals will start to grow along the towel and edges of the dish.

Science behind it: As the water evaporates, it leaves behind the salt, which crystallises on surfaces, creating a mini “crystal garden.”

6. Balloon Rocket

What you need: Balloon, string, straw, tape

Instructions: Thread a long string through a straw and tape one end to a wall. Blow up a balloon without tying it off, then tape it to the straw. Release the balloon to make your rocket zoom along the string!

Science behind it: The air escaping the balloon pushes it forward, demonstrating Newton’s Third Law: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

7. Cloud in a Jar

What you need: Glass jar, warm water, ice, hairspray

Instructions: Pour warm water into the jar, then spray a little hairspray into it. Quickly place a lid or plate with ice on top of the jar. Watch as a mini “cloud” forms inside.

Science behind it: The warm, moist air in the jar mixes with cooler air, and the hairspray particles give the water vapour a surface to condense on, creating a cloud.

Celebrate Science with a Purpose

These experiments will make this World Science Day a memorable one in your classroom, filled with discovery and fun! For even more hands-on learning, explore Popcorn Education’s Science Fundraising Kits. Designed to captivate young scientists, each kit contains materials for engaging activities that can support both learning and school fundraising efforts.

Let us know which experiments you try, and here’s to a fantastic World Science Day!

:)