This is Part 2 of a three-part series. Part 1 can be found here.
Science doesn’t have to be complicated! While some experiments might need expensive lab equipment and dangerous chemicals, there are many cool projects you can do with things at home. Try out these 3 simple and easy experiments that you can do at home. Make sure to always have a parent present to help you with your experiments to ensure nobody gets hurt!
Water Clock
How to make a water clock. (n.d.). National Geographic Kids. https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/home-is-good/make-a-water-clock/
History:
Water clocks and timers are one of the oldest time-measuring systems. It is so old that the water clocks' origins and creators are not even known. Evidence shows that water clocks have been found in Ancient Egypt, with specimens discovered in Egypt that date from the 14th century BC. However, some historians believe that water clocks have been used in China since as early as 4000 BC. These clocks were used all over the world and in almost every culture.
The water clock was traditionally known as clepsydra. This ancient device was used to measure time by the gradual flow of water. Clepsydras were used for many purposes, just as we keep time today for many reasons. We know in history they were used for things such as timing speeches, or to set a time limit in court. Astronomers also sometimes used a mercury clepsydra to time experiments in the 16th century.
Supplies:
Large, clear plastic bottle
Scissors
Drawing pin
Marker/pen
Food coloring
Stopwatch
2 cups of water
Instructions:
Roughly measure halfway down the bottle, then carefully cut the bottle in two using the scissors.
Unscrew the top of the bottle and make a small hole in it using the drawing pin. Then put the lid back on the bottle.
Turn the top half of the bottle upside down and place it inside the bottom half, so the bottle top is facing downwards
Mix a few drops of food coloring into 2 cups of water, and get your stopwatch ready!
Pour the water into the top of the bottle and start timing. Each time a minute passes, mark a line at the water level of the bottom bottle.
Once all the water has passed into the bottom bottle, pour the water back into the top half and count off the minutes as the water pours down!
About the Author
Laney is a sophomore at Northwood High School and is a member of their track and field team, mix up club, and unified club. She loves working with kids, being outside, and hanging out with friends and family.
Sources
Brewer, Shelley. “How to Build a Water Clock STEM Challenge for Elementary and Up.”
STEAM Powered Family, 18 May 2019, www.steampoweredfamily.com/water-clock- stem-activity/.
“How to Make a Water Clock.” National Geographic Kids, www.natgeokids.com/uk/home-is-
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