Handouts are available below

Big Idea

Are you looking for a hands-on project in chemistry that allows students to build and test prototypes while also making chemistry real? I get students to do the DIY bath bombs project for just that reason. The project illustrates how science concepts – like rates of reactions – can be taught in hands-on ways. And, also requires students to build and test prototypes – which generally doesn’t happen in chemistry labs. My students enjoyed doing the lab, and best of all, it’s a fun, engaging, and hands-on way to teach students about the factors that affect reaction rate.

Episode Notes

• The objective of the lab is for students to create 200ml of bubbles in exactly 15s. It’s like a 15s timer but with bubbles and bath bombs.

• When testing their bath bombs, students fill a 250ml graduated cylinder with 50 ml of water; add a drop of dish soap; add the bath bomb and start the timer. When the bubbles reach the 250mL line of the graduated cylinder, stop the timer. 

• Students are marked on how close they get to forming 200ml of bubbles in 15s. This requires students to speed up or slow down the reaction – by adjusting the concentration of the bath bomb (ie. ratio of citric acid, baking soda and corn starch in the bath bomb), shape or surface area of the bath bomb, or temperature of water – to either make bubbles more quickly or slowly to get to the 15s goal while adhering to some build restrictions.

• Students also perform a few rounds of experimentation, which is part of the fun. I mark students on their improvements between prototypes as well as the overall performance of their final prototype.

• Download the handouts below for bath bomb building instructions. By the end, your students will be bath bomb experts. 

Thanks for watching, and let’s talk science education again soon.

Resources

Handout(s): Ep66 Handouts – DIY Bath Bombs Science Project

WANT MORE?

A complete lab package of this activity is available now! Head to REAL Sc Lab – DIY Bath Bombs Project to purchase your copy today.

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