3 NASA Science Experiments

Ready for blast off! These 3 NASA science experiments are fun and easy to do with your buddy.

Cloud in a Jar

Materials:

-1 quart size canning jar with lid

-Aluminum foil (4 inch square)

-Matches or hair spray

-Ice

-Water

Steps:

1. Observe the empty, dry quart jar with the lid on.
2. Fill the quart jar with 1/3 cup of warm water.
3. Place the lid back on the jar.
4. Let the jar stand for one minute with the lid on.
5. Remove the lid.
6. Replace the lid on the jar.
7. Add 2 to 3 ice cubes onto the lid of the jar.
8. Let the jar stand for one minute with the lid and ice cubes on.
9. Remove the ice and lid.
10. Observe what you see happen when the lid is removed.
11. Light a match and drop it into the jar
12. Replace the top on the jar.
13. Observe what you see inside the jar.
14. Remove the lid.

If time permits; Repeat using some other substance (condensation nuclei) in place of the smoke. Ex. Chalk, salt, or air freshener spray

DIY Paper Plane

Materials:

Letter size (8.5″ x 11″) sheet of printer paper

Crayons, markers, or paint to decorate the paper (OPTIONAL)

Steps:

1. Lay out your copy paper horizontally on a clean table or desk in front of you
2. (OPTIONAL): Color both sides of your paper with designs and patterns that will decorate your folded paper airplane
3. Fold the paper in half long ways (remember to use strong creases with each fold), then reopen the paper
4. Turn the paper vertical and open it up again
5. Fold the top right corner on a diagonal towards the center line, repeat on the left side (your paper should now resemble a house)
6. Repeat STEP 5, again folding the top right corner (starting at the newly folded crease) in towards the center, repeat on the left side (your paper should now look like a long triangle with about 1″ of paper not folded at the bottom)
7. Refold the plane in half long ways, along the center crease you created in STEP 3
8. With the paper lying with the crease facing you, fold back the top edge down to meet the middle crease, flip the paper over and repeat on the other side, creating the wings
9. Lightly grip the plane by the middle of the center crease in your dominant hand. Pull your hand back to your shoulder with the airplane level with or slightly above your head, then shoot your hand forward, aiming slightly upward, while releasing the plane to make it fly.

Make a fan with earth’s layers

Materials:

-Paper

-Colors or markers

-Scissors

-Glue Stick

-Popsicle sticks

Steps:

1. Cut out three square shapes.
2. Color the center of the square yellow, outside of the yellow color red and outside of the red color it orange (See image for color pattern)
3. Fold the paper so that you have a fan shape. Fold the fan in half
4. Glue the inside of the fold together to create a small fan section.
5. Repeat steps three through seven with the other two printouts. Now you have three small fans.
6. Glue the first section to your popsicle stick with the fold of the fan touching the top of the popsicle stick.
7. Glue the next fan section on top. Make sure the fan folds point the same direction.
8. Glue the last fan section on top.
9. Glue the other popsicle stick on top. Press down to get a good seal.
10. Let the glue dry for a few minutes.