Have a question? My team and I are happy to hear your questions and get you answers! When you type a question, it shows up not only on that experiment but also here so you can easily find your answer. You'll find question boxes at the bottom of every experiment in the program.

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Hovercraft experiment :

Yep, this is related to maglev. However, the concept of combining air cushions with maglev is a newer concept.

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Lava Lamp experiment :

The video is there. Please be sure that you are logged into your account. If you still can't see it, please try a different web browser.

Question: from khansamahmood1 about the Lava Lamp experiment :

where is the video

Question: from blackhole_rider1 about the Hovercraft experiment :

"Scientists are already planning future ACVs to use magnetic levitation in addition to the air power… but it’s still on the drawing board." Is that different from Maglev that has been in use since 1984? If different how?

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Crystal Radio experiment :

The magnet wire, resistor, and diode are available from https://www.jameco.com/

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Galvanometers experiment :

Jewelry wire won't work for this project. You'll need to use magnet wire because it has a thin epoxy coating that projects from short circuits. It isn't practical to coat regular wire with nail polish, because you could have spots where the wire remains bare.

Question: from tashsmithjbt about the Turning Copper into Silver into Gold experiment :

this is so amazing

Question: from Tatiana about the Galvanometers experiment :

I have jewelry wire (0.4 mm) that is labeled 'special copper wire for jewelry'. Can I use it instead of magnetic wire? I have five colors, silver, gold, copper color, black, and reddish. For the black and red wires, it looks like a black or red coating over some silver wire, but it is really thin and I'm not sure if it is actually silver, or the orangey copper color. I'm not sure if it is real copper. Is there a way to test it for copper? Would copper work? Would I need to coat it in clear nail polish first?

Question: from mgonzalez1226 about the Crystal Radio experiment :

Were can I find the materials?

Question: from redwineh about the MIT Leg Lab experiment :

Can I make a three legged robot with my lego mindstorms kit?

Question: from cultureofjoyfilledlearning about the Flying Over the Earth at Night experiment :

cool!

Question: from marlenalucas about the Penny Crystal Structure experiment :

I noticed that between each triangle gap there were zigzags.

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Flying Over the Earth at Night experiment :

Yes indeed! That was a sunrise as seen from orbit.

Question: from cultureofjoyfilledlearning about the Flying Over the Earth at Night experiment :

At the end of the video, there was a really bright strip of light that kept getting bigger. what was that??? was it the sun?

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Remote Controls I experiment :

Please email a nice, well-focused picture of your connections to [email protected] and we'll take a look.

Question: from sunnysolace about the Remote Controls I experiment :

my switch didn't work even after i switched the leads

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Alkali Metals experiment :

There is actually only one video on this page. One other video was discontinued and removed.

Question: from rebecca_thomas about the Alkali Metals experiment :

Where should I look for the video referenced in the second lesson above about the periodic table?

Answer:  Laundry Soap Crystals

Actually, calcium carbonate is added to sugar to increase the rate, size and shape that sugar crystals form! You can try both calcium carbonate and also sugar on their own, and also mix together a third solution with both to see what kinds of results you get with all three. As a scientist, you get to do the experiments once you have great questions like these to work with!

Question: from marlenalucas about the Laundry Soap Crystals experiment :

Can I also make the laundry soap crystals out of calcium carbonate?

Answer:  Inertia and the Second and Third Law

I am sorry for the error on the worksheet! I've updated the answer page to include solutions for all three. Here's the direct answers to your questions: To calculate the distance the frog has traveled in the horizontal direction, use the formula Distance= speed * time where the speed in the x-direction is 7 m/s and time is 0.5 seconds to get the frog travels 3.5 meters horizontally. For problem 2, the initial vertical velocity is 2 m/s and acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s^2 so using the equation for max height: h = (vertical velocity)^2 ÷ (2g) gives 0.204 m (20.4 cm)

Answer:  Laundry Soap Crystals

Give it a try and see how it goes!

Question: from marlenalucas about the Laundry Soap Crystals experiment :

Can I make the Landry soap crystals out of baking soda?

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Kaleidoscopes experiment :

Mylar is available through hobby stores, hardware stores, and even Amazon.

Question: from katherinefarrow about the Kaleidoscopes experiment :

Where can I find Mylar?

Answer:  Special Science Teleclass: Renewable & Alternative Energy

Yes you leave them in there 4-6 hours until baked. Yum!

Answer:  Solar Cookies

Any box about the size of mine will do fine!

Question: from stanleycstoll about the Solar Cookies experiment :

I do not have a pizza box. Can I use something else?

Question: from stanleycstoll about the Special Science Teleclass: Renewable & Alternative Energy experiment :

The video did not tell me how to make the cookies. Do I roast just them?

Question: from ammonwil about the Inertia and the Second and Third Law experiment :

On problem 1 in the Advanced Pop Rocket Lab worksheet: Wouldn't the x displacement be solved separately from the Y displacement? Assuming this is correct, I solved for the X direction with D=V*t. This is what I got: D=(7m/s) * (.5s) D=3.5m On problem 2: Now I'm considering the y axis. Using your equation from the lab Yf=Yi-(Vyi^2)/2a. Yf=0-(2^2)/(2(-9.81)) Yf=.204 These aren't the answers on the answer sheet. Did I do something wrong? My answer on number 3 was the same as your answer on the sheet, and I used the same equations and technique. This mystifies me :)

Question: from shz_bz about the Laundry Soap Crystals experiment :

i made a very cool crystal that turned White

Question: from shz_bz about the Lava Lamp experiment :

I used avocado oil

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Carnivorous Greenhouse experiment :

Yes, beach sand by fresh water should be fine.

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Building Speakers experiment :

If everything is the same, all the speakers would have the same volume.

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Laundry Soap Crystals experiment :

Sure, you can add coloring to the solution.

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Color Streak experiment :

Please take a look at the shopping list for Unit 20. It provides sources for rock kits about halfway down the list.

Question: from davidfischr about the Carnivorous Greenhouse experiment :

would beach sand by a fresh water lake be ok?

Question: from amberdawnbook about the Building Speakers experiment :

Which speaker would be the loudest if they all had the same number of magnets, the same type of magnets, and the same wire gage, and the same number of turns?

Question: from elaineeng208 about the Laundry Soap Crystals experiment :

Can we add food coloring in the supersaturated solid solution?

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Scientific Method Made Easy: Introduction experiment :

To see responses to your questions, just click on the "Questions" link at the top of the website. Also, feel free to email your question directly to me via [email protected]. If you email, please be sure to let me know what lesson you're working on. A great way to let me know the lesson is to copy the web page link and paste it with your question.

Question: from jessicakling2031 about the Scientific Method Made Easy: Introduction experiment :

If I ask a question here, how will I know when someone answers my question?

Question: from barrnun36 about the Color Streak experiment :

Hi I can't find a geology rock bag that has all the rocks we need, we only have 3 of the rocks. Do you have any links to bring me to what we need.? Thanks

Answer:  Mohs’ Hardness

Of course! You'll find material lists that include order links when we need specific items. Otherwise, you can use the rocks you have in the backyard or in a personal collection if you'd like. The important thing is to learn about the testing techniques. We have several sets we recommend depending on which experiments you'd like to do. Here's the 4th grade shopping list: https://www.sciencelearningspace2.com/standardcontent/docs/4th-earth-science-shoplist.pdf - do you see the link in the PDF for the kit?

Answer:  Instant Ice

Those are great questions! I would test different amounts of each to see which works best!

Question: from elizabethorders2626 about the Instant Ice experiment :

Hi, How much salt should be used? What’s the salt to crushed ice ratio? Thanks!

Question: from shz_bz about the Plasma Grape experiment :

SOOO COOL What makes this happen?

Question: from barrnun36 about the Mohs’ Hardness experiment :

I'm trying to find the rocks and minerals to order. Not having much luck finding everything. It would be really nice to have a link to help with that. It’s really frustrating to find everything we need. I have no knowledge of rocks and minerals so it's taking us a to long to get started. Thanks Amy

Answer:  Rock Candy Crystals

Yes, in the Live Class / Recordings section - you'll find them listed each week near the end of each student handout worksheet. You'll also find them in the monthly review sessions we do for each topic in the live classes.

Answer:  Jupiter’s Jolts

Yes absolutely!

Question: from nikkisjoyfulheart about the Rock Candy Crystals experiment :

Hi Aurora! We are enjoying all the science experiments and videos. My son and I are both learning a lot, lol! I was wondering if there are vocabulary words available for the lessons. It just occurred to me to ask, in case I've missed them. If not, I can certainly make vocabulary lists to use. I wanted to check with you before I did that though. Thank you for this amazing science curriculum, and the math too! Our family and friends cannot believe how much Ian is learning!

Question: from sunnysolace about the Jupiter’s Jolts experiment :

can I use a Styrofoam carryout containers instead of a plate? we have some unused ones.

Question: from nikki_wankum about the Force-full Cereal experiment :

We had some Neodymium magnets (Stronger than normal magnets)and although they didn't move very much, he was able to get some movement. COOL!

Answer:  Can a Battery Be Used to Store Energy?

It depends on how acidic your substances are, and how good they are at conducting current. It sounds like you made one of them work, great job!

Question: from tashsmithjbt about the Iodine Rainbow experiment :

;) so cool

Question: from tashsmithjbt about the Instant Ice experiment :

u called the salt water and the water is super cold and yummy (*-*)

Question: from juliahshaw about the Can a Battery Be Used to Store Energy? experiment :

I followed the procedure except I replaced the tomato juice with lemon juice, and it didn't work. I tested the connection and heard a pop which means the connection it good. Why won't the lemon juice work.

Answer:  Hovercraft

Yes but try to keep the batteries out of the water!

Answer:  Hydrogen Bromide

You will need one for chemistry labs.

Answer:  Shopping List for Unit 7

No we do live stargazing that is both naked eye and binocular targets.

Question: from delaneyaks about the Shopping List for Unit 7 experiment :

Do we need to get a telescope?

Question: from Tatiana about the Hovercraft experiment :

Can this hovercraft go on water? The motor would get wet, right?

Question: from tashsmithjbt about the Hydrogen Bromide experiment :

what if we dont have a alcohol burner thanks Tarlah ('-')

Question: from tashsmithjbt about the Special Science Teleclass: Chemistry & Chemical Engineering experiment :

this was an amazing (''-'')

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Chemistry Fundamentals experiment :

It is used as a catalyst in an experiment demonstrated about 16 minutes into the video.

Answer:  Aurora's LEGO Robots

LEGOs are notorious for breaking apart. The LEGO Mindstorms set is pretty old, so if he's ready for the next step, please check out VEX IQ Robotics, which are much more robust.

Answer:  Pinhole Camera

Yes, any paper that allows a bit of light through should work.

Question: from rebecca_thomas about the Chemistry Fundamentals experiment :

What was the yeast for?

Question: from redwineh about the Aurora's LEGO Robots experiment :

Any recommendations on keeping the blocks together when the robot is moving? We have one of the RCX sets and every time my kiddo designs a robot and gets it going it crashes and breaks apart. Could it be a setting that needs to change or maybe sticky glue, a stronger base? any suggestions would be helpful, Thanks.

Question: from jalglin2011 about the Pinhole Camera experiment :

Will parchment paper work? Im stressed lol

Question: from rebecca_thomas about the Introduction: Solution Preparation experiment :

above comment refers to the ammonium hydroxide concentrate

Question: from rebecca_thomas about the Introduction: Solution Preparation experiment :

Would 6 ml work instead of 7? I am almost out of this chemical and that is all I have left.

Answer:  Can Insulation Save Energy?

We have over 700 student worksheets, so if the experiment you're on has a worksheet, you'll find a link right under the video that says "Download Student Worksheet"

Answer:  How to Use a Microscope: Optics, Observing, and Drawing Techniques

They should be on the last page of the downloadable student worksheet.

Question: from brittanymoe about the How to Use a Microscope: Optics, Observing, and Drawing Techniques experiment :

Where can we find the answers to the exercises so the parents can compare to the student's answers?

Question: from leishatompkins1 about the How to Use a Microscope: Optics, Observing, and Drawing Techniques experiment :

That’s cool!

Question: from gmspocket about the Can Insulation Save Energy? experiment :

Hi, where are the worksheets to the lessons? Thank you, Paraskevi

Question: from tabbi8407 about the The Size of the Swing experiment :

We had an unexpected changing variable, CAT! The kids and the cats really loved this experiment.

Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Burning Sulfur experiment :

This experiment shows how to generate oxygen:

  • https://www.sciencelearningspace2.com/2019/02/generating-oxygen-4/

    • Question: from tandtmcd72 about the Burning Sulfur experiment :

    where do i get the oxygen?

    Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Special Science Teleclass: Rocketry & Spaceflight experiment :

    The safe way to do this is with a model rocket kit. They are available at hobby shops and online. But only launch it with a parent's supervision and only at a safe location as explained by the kit instructions.

    Question: from shz_bz about the Special Science Teleclass: Rocketry & Spaceflight experiment :

    Is there a way for me to create a rocket with a rocket engine?

    Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Barrel Roof experiment :

    Be sure you print the template and use it to make your folds. If you still have trouble please take a picture of what you made and email it to [email protected]. That way I can see how things are going.

    Question: from smontgomery2007 about the Barrel Roof experiment :

    Whey is it not working for us? We did every single step.

    Answer:  Hovercraft

    This kit is included with the Science Mastery Diamond program that we offer. https://www.superchargedscience.com/shop/science-mastery/

    Question: from prmerrell about the Hovercraft experiment :

    How do I get the kit?

    Answer:  Instant Ice

    Yes, sorry about that. We were not able to include the image so I've deleted the sentence. Thanks.

    Question: from jenniferkrolick about the Instant Ice experiment :

    The last line here states: "Here’s an image of how the shape of the ice crystals are affected by magnetism:" I do not see an image here. Is it my side or the website? Thank you.

    Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Osmosis in Potatoes & Beans experiment :

    Sweet potatoes have a different consistency, so the results might not be the same as the video. Try it with a regular potato first. After that, try it with a sweet potato.

    Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Planetarium and Star Show experiment :

    Betelgeuse is physically bigger in size, but Pistol Star has much more mass.

    Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Planetarium and Star Show experiment :

    You can watch the video about black holes here: https://www.sciencelearningspace2.com/2019/02/special-science-teleclass-black-holes/

    Question: from Lydia about the Osmosis in Potatoes & Beans experiment :

    Can you do this experiment with a sweet potato? Thank you!

    Question: from shz_bz about the Planetarium and Star Show experiment :

    Which video is it that you played the sound of a black hole??

    Question: from shz_bz about the Planetarium and Star Show experiment :

    But the pistol star is not biggest star beatleguse is a lot bigger than the pistol star

    Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Space Shuttle Launch experiment :

    You can see a Saturn V launch on this page: https://www.sciencelearningspace2.com/2009/12/apollo-11saturn-v-rocket-launch/

    Question: from shz_bz about the Space Shuttle Launch experiment :

    Aurora where is the teleclas video where you show the Saturn V take off?

    Question: from Aurora Lipper about the P-Shooters experiment :

    Great job! The distance the object travels has to do with the angle you hold your "shooter". If you fired straight up in the air, the object would fall more or less straight down. If you fired horizontal, the object would start horizontal to the ground and fall after a certain distance. When you vary the angle of your shooter between straight up and horizontal, the object will travel in an arc and the distance travelled will change. Try launching at different angles and notice how the travel distance changes.

    Question: from khansamahmood1 about the P-Shooters experiment :

    I made this too! it was so much fun! I decided to make my own version with a stick, a rubber band, and a binder clip and it really worked! but I have a question. when I shot it up, it went the same distance as when i shot it straight. how come?

    Question: from Aurora Lipper about the Acids & Bases experiment :

    It is common for the cabbage water to be a dark purple. But it will change to lighter colors when you add other substances.

    Question: from ruhles1 about the Acids & Bases experiment :

    I Made the Cabbage water and it is black, did we make it too strong?

    Answer:  Amphibious Robot

    You'll need something that will allow the skewer to pass through and still be able to rotate, you are building a wheel and axle assembly. If you don't have a specific item, please watch the video and see what you will be able to substitute that will still give you the result we're after.