Scientwists - A Magical Way to Discover the World of Science

Materials:
·        Playground sand
·        silicon spray – you can find it at a hardware store
·        2 clear containers with a large mouth – beakers, bowls, etc.
·        water

Experiment:

1. Prepare the “magic sand”. Spread some sand out on newspaper or a box lid and spray with silicon spray. Stir and repeat until all of the sand is coated. Let this sit out to dry for at least one night.

2. Fill the 2 containers ½ full with water.

3. Create a story about how a group of people were once trapped on a deserted island and the only way to escape the island is to use the “magic sands” of the island.

4. Ask kids to guess what would happen if regular sand was added to water. Of course, it will sink!

5. Add regular sand to one container of water.

6.  Now show them what happens with the “magic sands” of the island.

7.  Carefully sprinkle the “magic sand” on top of the water in the second container. Make a fairly thick layer.

8. Have kids gently and slowly push their finger down into the magic sand and watch as their fingers will not get wet.

What Happens:

The sand without silicon immediately sinks. The magic sand will float on top of the surface and when a finger is gently and slowly submerged into the magic sand their finger will stay dry. The magic sand works because the silicon makes the sand semi-waterproof and buoyant.

	A Magical Way to Discover the World of Science
Experiments Ancient Quicksand Penny Cleaning Magic Sand Keep Me Dry Underwater Slimy Gak Games Thar She Blows Speedy Dollar Potato Rocket Launchers Homemade Lava Lamps Invisible Ink Multimedia Coming Soon About Scientwists Contact Us		Magic Sand What happens when you add sand to water? It sinks!! Not our “MAGIC SAND”!!! Materials: · Playground sand · silicon spray – you can find it at a hardware store · 2 clear containers with a large mouth – beakers, bowls, etc. · water Experiment: 1. Prepare the “magic sand”. Spread some sand out on newspaper or a box lid and spray with silicon spray. Stir and repeat until all of the sand is coated. Let this sit out to dry for at least one night. 2. Fill the 2 containers ½ full with water. 3. Create a story about how a group of people were once trapped on a deserted island and the only way to escape the island is to use the “magic sands” of the island. 4. Ask kids to guess what would happen if regular sand was added to water. Of course, it will sink! 5. Add regular sand to one container of water. 6. Now show them what happens with the “magic sands” of the island. 7. Carefully sprinkle the “magic sand” on top of the water in the second container. Make a fairly thick layer. 8. Have kids gently and slowly push their finger down into the magic sand and watch as their fingers will not get wet. What Happens: The sand without silicon immediately sinks. The magic sand will float on top of the surface and when a finger is gently and slowly submerged into the magic sand their finger will stay dry. The magic sand works because the silicon makes the sand semi-waterproof and buoyant.