MISSION 08 · CHEMISTRY DISCOVERY
How many drops can balance in one tiny dome before the surface gives way?
3 · Investigate Water
Your new skill: Compare drop counts with and without soap.
Revisit the skill you will reuse: Previous main-path mission
Match the names to your parts before you build. New parts appear when you first need them. You can point, say the name or show a grown-up.
A dropper moves a small amount of liquid, one drop at a time.
Look for: Find its squeeze bulb and narrow tip.
Before using it: Squeeze before dipping, release to draw liquid, then press gently. Rinse between samples. Never mouth-pipette. Drop size can vary.
Your turn: Practise three separate drops of clean water into a tray.
A tube holds a small sample. The stand helps keep tubes upright while we compare them.
Look for: Find the narrow containers and matching holes in the stand.
Before using it: Label samples before filling. Keep them open and stable; never seal a fizzing reaction.
Your turn: Place two empty tubes in the stand and label them A and B.
A mixing stick moves liquid and powder together so we can compare how mixing affects a result.
Look for: Find the clean stirrer named in the materials.
Before using it: Use a clean stick for each sample, or rinse and dry between samples. Never taste it.
Your turn: Rehearse a gentle stir in an empty container without splashing.
A little dish soap changes how the surface of water behaves and can help trap bubbles as foam.
Look for: Use ordinary dish soap named by the mission, from home.
Before using it: Use tiny amounts only, keep away from eyes and do not substitute bleach or cleaning chemicals.
Your turn: Predict whether plain water and soapy water will behave the same.
A tray catches spills, cups hold samples or form a model, and a dry workspace protects our tools.
Look for: Choose the exact container and dry surface in the mission list.
Before using it: Experiment cups stay separate from food and drinks. Keep electronics away from liquids and clean up before storing parts.
Your turn: Show where a spill would land and where electrical parts will stay dry.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Before we build, match these names to the parts in front of you. Dropper. A dropper moves a small amount of liquid, one drop at a time. Find its squeeze bulb and narrow tip. Squeeze before dipping, release to draw liquid, then press gently. Rinse between samples. Never mouth-pipette. Drop size can vary. Test tube and stand. A tube holds a small sample. The stand helps keep tubes upright while we compare them. Find the narrow containers and matching holes in the stand. Label samples before filling. Keep them open and stable; never seal a fizzing reaction. Mixing stick. A mixing stick moves liquid and powder together so we can compare how mixing affects a result. Find the clean stirrer named in the materials. Use a clean stick for each sample, or rinse and dry between samples. Never taste it. Dish soap. A little dish soap changes how the surface of water behaves and can help trap bubbles as foam. Use ordinary dish soap named by the mission, from home. Use tiny amounts only, keep away from eyes and do not substitute bleach or cleaning chemicals. Tray cup and dry workspace. A tray catches spills, cups hold samples or form a model, and a dry workspace protects our tools. Choose the exact container and dry surface in the mission list. Experiment cups stay separate from food and drinks. Keep electronics away from liquids and clean up before storing parts. Pause and point to the part that will do the main job in this mission. If it is missing or looks different, ask a grown-up before building.
WHAT YOU'LL USE
Kit list: match the named parts to your box and its component cards. Home list: gather these before starting; some may also be supplied in your kit. Reuse components between missions. Stop and ask a grown-up if an essential part or label is missing.
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Work on a dry tray. Keep soap away from eyes. Grown-up move: Check the surface is dry between trials.
YOUR REWARD
PREDICT BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What do you think will happen? Say it, point to it or draw it. Then test your idea.
YOUR CHALLENGE
NEW POWER-UP
Compare drop counts with and without soap.
You have just practised add controlled drops and follow a changing colour range. Now: compare drop counts with and without soap.
Use the exact samples listed in What you need. Match container size and keep the stirring method the same.
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 6
Lay the clean, dry bag flat on the tray.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Lay the clean, dry bag flat on the tray.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
Surface tension helps plain water hold a rounded dome. Soap weakens that pull, so soapy water usually spreads sooner.
FAIR-TEST CHALLENGE
Change one feature, keep the rest the same and repeat your comparison.
CLEAN, RESET AND STORE
Ask your grown-up to follow the supplied disposal instructions. Keep glitter and solid pieces out of drains. Clean the tray, wash your hands and store labelled materials away from younger children.
NEXT SKILL
Use a tiny soap touch to explore a surface effect.