This experiment allows kids to see how clean rain happens, even when our planet is not always so clean. The only downside is the plastic wrap. I don’t use plastic wrap for hardly anything. When I do it’s for art projects or experiments like this.

What you need to make a rain bowl:

• A large bowl or pan
• A heavy bottomed drinking glass – clear glass is best, but honestly any cup will work. The cup must be shorter than the large bowl.
• Clean rocks or marbles.
• Muddy water
• Plastic wrap
• Clear tape
• Sunshine

How to make your rain bowl:

1. If you haven’t already made muddy water, simply mix water and dirt. You don’t need much dirt – just enough so that you wouldn’t think to drink it.
2. Put about 2-3 inches of water into the large bowl.
3. Place the glass into the middle of the bowl. If your glass is not heavy enough to sit still in the water, add some clean rocks or marbles to weight it down.
4. Wrap the top of your bowl in plastic wrap. It should be wrapped tight, except for in the very center (right over the glass). This is where the tape comes in handy. Plastic wrap rarely sticks well to anything. You need to make sure it’s taunt, so tape the edges to the bowl.
5. Put a clean rock or marble right smack over the glass. You should see the plastic wrap sink down a bit but if it’s touching the glass, you need to make your plastic wrap tighter.

Here’s a crude drawing:

Sorry, it’s not the best picture. One of these days, I’ll remember to take pictures of these activities. In my sorry picture, the glass is sitting somehow suspended in the bowl. Obviously, your glass will be sitting flat.

How to get your clean distilled rain:

Take your bowl outside and place it in direct sunlight. We left our bowl outside for about half a day (in the bright sun). Now watch and see what happens.

Questions to consider: 

Why is there clean water in the glass, yet still muddy water in the bowl?

In what useful ways could you apply this experiment to real life situations?

Why is this process important for people, plants, and animals on the planet?

To learn more about rain (and find the answers to the above questions) take a look at:

Rain: A valuable resource

The Water Cycle

Learn how to catch and measure one single raindrop

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

This maze will teach kids about the power of solar and show them just how clever plants are.

Materials needed:

1. A large cardboard box — the kind that has dividers. Something I forgot to draw in the photo is that the box needs a lid. It will have to be closed on all sides for this experiment to work. I got a large whiskey box from the local alcohol shop. Obviously kids, ask an adult to do that part.
2. A box cutter.
3. Dried beans or other flower seeds (I tried both and beans worked best). Don’t use seeds that need light to germinate. The back of your seed packet will give you this information.
4. Soil in a little flower pot.
5. Super strength clear tape. I used packing tape.

How to make your maze!

1. Paint or color the outside of your box in cool colors. Mine is boring brown in the picture — see if your box can be way more exciting.
2. Place the box on it’s side so that the lid is in front.
3. Cut one hole in what is now the top of the box and holes in the dividers — depending on your box make the holes about 2-3 inches across. The holes need to form a clear and easy route from the bottom of the box to the top. Plants are clever but not THAT clever; they can’t grow through the cardboard.
4. Plant your seeds or beans in your little pot and water well (wet like a wet sponge).
5. Put your pot in the bottom of the box and shut the lid. If you see any cracks tape the lid to the sides of the box. There should be no light allowed except for what can get in through the tip top hole.
6. Place your box in a nice safe area that gets some sun each day.
7. Every three days open your box and re-water your plant.

Wait….

Beans grow pretty quickly. If you used other seeds the time may vary but eventually the plant will start to grow. Watch and see what path it takes upwards through your box maze.

My version of the plant maze graphics… I hope this makes sense. Remember, your box should have a lid. Technically during this experiment you won’t see your plant.

Questions to consider.

• What makes the plant grow through the maze?
• How does this relate to how tiny trees can survive in a forest of big tall trees that block the sunlight?
• What will happen if your plant reaches the top?
• Who is doing the bulk of the work — the tiny plant or the sunshine? Maybe it’s a team effort. How do all the different parts of the planet’s eco-system work together to make a maze like this work?

What other questions can you think of?

Kids… if you have success with this experiment send in some photos to be posted here at tree hugging family along with some thoughts on the process. Or even take it to your school or homeschooling events to show off.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family