How to Earn your Brownie Chemistry Try It

The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin -Badgerland Council offer ther Council's Own Chemistry try it.  This is areally fun science one!
It's still available at this writing, but check before starting it with your own girls.
Their website is: http://gsbadgerland.org/ForGirls/BadgesandPatches/tabid/316/Default.aspx

There are several activities to choose from, and some others listed for areas where the girls might want to do even more.  All of the hands on experiments use things pretty readily found.

#1: Acids and Bases
This experiment uses litmus paper (available on Amazon.com or  from Learningresources.com) You'll probably want at least 10 strips per girl.  A package of 100 at this writing runs about $5.00.  I made a little chart, included here for the girls to use. It would also be good to have some dixie cups to hold the liquids.
This activity needs about 15-20 minutes, but if you have time-- it can go longer.  Natural curiosity takes over, and the girls wanted to test and compare other liquids too.

#2 Density
The experiment for denisty is an "oldie but a goody".  The dancing raisins!  (I love this one.)  The secret to making it work is to make SURE your raisins and your soda are FRESH.
The soda is listed as club soda, but any clear bubbly soda (like Sprite) will work.  Carbonated water (Perrier, etc.) do not work. They do not have enough bubble strength.
The raisins rise because the bubbles catch on the wrinkles in the raisins, increasing the surface area.  This does not change the weight of the raisin, just the area.  As the surface area increases, the raisins density decreases, so they rise.  When the bubbles reach the top- they pop.  This decreases the surface area, increasing the density of the raisin, which makes it sink.  They will continue to rise and fall as long as the liquid produces a strong amount of bubbles.
The experiment requires: Fresh raisins, clear cups (plastic are fine) and clear, sparkling liquid (not sparkling water).

#3 CO2 Interactions
Carbon Dioxide is a gas found in the atmosphere.  It is in the air we breathe. It is denser than air. Carbon Dioxide can be seen in soda as bubbles.

This experiment requires film canisters.  These are getting harder to find locally, but are still available plentifully on the web. Steve Spangler Science is one source, though his canisters are a bit pricey.  You can still find them on eBay at this point, for cheaper.  There's a great video about adding a variable on the Spangler website-- worth a look.

Needed : about 3 canisters and Alkaseltzer per girl.  Safety googles (Sunglasses would work...) outdoor area that can get messy (yard).


#4 - Polymers
A polymer is a long chain, with parts that are hooked together.  Think of a really long ladder.... the cross links make them stronger. The parts of polymers are very msall.  Plastics are an example of a polymer. There are also polymers in our bodies.

Each girl will need a plastic cup to mix in, and a plastic spoon.  As a group, you will need:
a LARGE bottle of elmers glue (perhaps two...) and a some Borax (laundry additive).

Mix one Tablespoon of the Borax in a cup of water.  (2 tablespoons in 2 cups if you have a large group.)
Each girl will use 2 Tablespoons of this mixture in her cup. Add 2 tablespoons of glue, and 2 tablespoons of water.

(This can also be done in baby food jars, if they are available... shake instead of stirring.)

Stir very hard and keep stirring. The mixture will become stringy. When it gets very stringy, you can take it out and work with it in your hands.

IT IS MESSY! The quicker you work it with your hands, the faster it becomes a solid.  Do not be afraid to put it in your hands and work it. (Trust me!)

All of these are super fun, and pretty quick.  :-)  Enjoy!