Makerspace Activity Of The Week Uses STEM To Spark Creativity

This week’s makerspace activities come from Butler Elementary librarian Tamara Jackson. She has a collection of fun little projects that you can do at home. Scroll down to get started.

For more makerspace activities, check out these ideas from other Arlington ISD librarians:

• Make Butterflies (Rosana Bridgewater, Burgin Elementary librarian)
• Design it Challenge (Alicia Vandenbroek, Shackelford Junior High librarian)

Don’t forget to check back next Thursday for a new makerspace activity. And remember, all Arlington ISD libraries are open online. Find your school’s library resources and email your librarian with any questions.

Makerspace at Home – Tamara Jackson, Butler Elementary

Makerspace is all about using science, technology, engineering and math in a hands-on way. Even though we’ve lost the ability to do that at school right now, the following activities give you and your families an opportunity to design and create using items you have at home. The materials you need for these projects are common household items, or they can easily be added to a grocery pick-up order. Have fun creating! You can also find many more fun ideas at littlebinsforlittlehands.com.

Cloud in a Jar

Supplies needed:

• Warm water
• Jar with a lid
• Ice cubes
• Aerosol hairspray

Directions:

1. Pour warm water in a jar, swirl around to warm jar
2. Turn lid upside down and add ice
3. Place lid on jar
4. Quickly remove lid, spray hairspray and replace lid
5. Remove lid and watch cloud escape

Smooth Play Dough

Supplies needed:

• 2 cups cornstarch
• 1 cup cheap hair conditioner
• Food coloring, optional

Directions:

1. Mix cornstarch and hair conditioner together with hands until smooth
2. Optional, add several drops of food coloring

Rubber Egg

Supplies needed:

• Raw eggs
• Vinegar
• Jar or vase

Directions:

1. Place egg in jar and cover with vinegar
2. Wait 24 hours, drain and refill
3. Wait seven days and remove egg and rinse
4. Examine
5. Will it bounce? Try it out!

Lava Lamp

Supplies needed:

• Cooking oil
• Water
• Food coloring
• Glass jar
• Alka Seltzer tablets (generic is ok)

Directions:

1. Fill jar ⅔ full with oil
2. Fill rest with water
3. Add food coloring
4. Don’t mix – just watch!
5. Drop a tablet and be amazed!

Fireworks in a Jar

Supplies needed:

• Warm water
• 4 colors of food coloring
• Vegetable oil
• Large jar
• Small glass bowl

Directions:

1. Fill jar ¾ with water
2. In the small bowl, add four tablespoons oil and four drops each of food coloring
3. Slowly mix
4. Slowly and carefully pour colored oil on top of water in jar
5. Watch and enjoy!