Stomata and Photosynthesis in Plants at National Science Centre 12 September 2012

A simple experiment to show plant's photosynthesis. 

 Bromothymol blue(BTB) was used as an indicator. By using a straw, blow CO2 into BTB solution, to make it more acidic. BTB will change to yellow colour. Then, by putting waterweed into the chemical solution, the plant will utilize the CO2 in the process of photosynthesis, making BTB solution less acidic and the colour will return to blue.   

And this is a stomata specimen on a slide.

It was taken by applying a thin layer of clear nail polish on the back of a leaf. Peel it off when it has dried. 

Stop-Motion Animation at Pusat Sains Negara 1 March 2012

 The casts - mini bear, soldier and Puss in Boots.

We used Stop Motion Pro 7.

The webcam that shot the animation.

Image files captured by the webcam.

Kid 's stop-motion video.

Lego Nxt Robotic Workshop at Pusat Sains Negara 10 January 2012

Lego Nxt workshop is held at Innotech Room, located inside the Thinking Machine exhibits hall, second floor.

To initiate a workshop, get a group of 20 children, aged 10 and above.

Email to Pn Siti zuhaini@psn.gov.my

RM4 per person for non PSN-member.

50% discount for PSN member.

This Lego Nxt set costs RM1500!

The children enjoyed themselves so much, setting instruction and see how the robot moved accordingly. 

The microprocessor which we used to communicate with the robot.

Simple installation which I think suited younger kids, less than 10 years old.

Older ones might find the workshop too easy and boring.

Have a look.

Aquatic Life - Fish and Water Quality @Pusat Sains Negara 2 November 2011

The experiment titles - 1. Cold fish  & 2. Water Quality

1. Cold Fish

Observation of the fish's movement and its breathing in water at room temperature.

Ice cube was added and fish's movement was observed to have slow down.

En asked to return the fish to its aquarium upon seeing it in distress.

Jars of fishes returned to the aquarium. 

In order to prevent a sudden change of temperature from cold to warm, we were told not to pour the fishes directly from the jar filled with cold water.

2. Water Quality

Test solution to check the water quality by determining its PH level, ammonia content and nitrite content.

Dropped a few drops of the test solution into two types of water - pond and tap.

Compare the result with a template to check its reading. 

Tornado in a bottle, How to make playdough, Fingerprint @Pusat Sains Negara 18 October 2011

Our topic today.

1. Fingerprint

Shade a piece paper with pencil.

Press your finger on the shading.

Stamp onto the worksheet.

2. Tornado in the bottle.

Pour water into the container.

 Add a drop of food colouring and detergent.

Twist the bottle for a tornado effect.

3.Make playdough with flour, salt, oil and cream of tartar.

  

Add water. Mix it.

 Perfect the dough with flour and dough, depending on the texture.

 Bring home the playdough, just in time as our homemade dough has expired.

Test for Starch, Acid & Alkaline and Water absorption 20 September 2011

The titles today.

1.Testing for starch.

Substance for testing - sugar, wheat flour, salt, corn flour, biscuit and baking powder.

Scoop each subtance into microwell. Add some water.

Few drops of Iodine.

Starch present when iodine turn to blue black.

2.Test for acid/alkaline.

Substance for testing -vinegar, detergent, toothpaste, sugar, lime juice, salt, shampoo and baking powder.

Squeeze in liquid substance. Dip litmus paper.

Red litmus paper turn blue - alkaline

Blue litmus paper turn red - acid.

Water absorption test.

Look at how the folder paper absorbed water and opened like flower blossom.

The red paper overlapped, hence didn't open up.

Hui 's worksheet. Did she draw the micro well?

Another drawing.

Rainbow in test tube and Making rubber ball @PSN 16 August 2011

Our experiments today.

Bottles of liquid that vary in density.

It varies in the amount of ethyl alcohol. 

Used a pipette to drop 5ml of each liquid contents into the test tube.

Red liquid which contains only water and red food colouring, sank to the bottom.

Purple liquid has only ethyl alcohol float on top.

Hui drew rainbow on her worksheet.

Making of rubber ball.

Pour 5ml of water into the glue.

Drop some food colouring.

Add in Borax, 5ml at a time and stir. The liquid became half solid.

solid rubber ball.

Science Fun Toys, Experiment with Air @Pusat Sains Negara 19 July 2011

The lab.

Three easy-to-do toys.

1.Flying saucer.

Fold the paper plates to create lines for cutting.

Cut into 8 flaps of similar sizes.

2. Hoopster

Tape two paper rings of one small and one big size on the straw.

3. Parachute.

Tie a string at the end of all four corners of a small piece of plastic bag.

Gather the four strings together and tie a knot. 

Stick a small size of plasticine at the knot.

Conductor or Non-Conductor & Heat Transfer 30 June 2011

Lab experiment at Pusat Sains Negara. Duration 35 minutes.

The age group of our children is between 2 to 7. 

Maximum 20 children.

RM4 per person for PSN non member and RM2 for PSN member.

Email Pn Maznah - maznahsadini@psn.gov.my

En Hui and D took turn to assemble the electrical circuit.

conductor or non-conductors?

Heat transfer experiment. 

 Each iron, copper and glass rod were attached with a small with an identical pinch of plasticine.

Light up spirit lamp and observe which plasticine melt first.

Copper is the best conductor of heat.

 

Hui's worksheet.

I like this part the most.

All children hollered " I want I want !" and were so eager to line up for a PSN button badge!