Can You Engineer A Lava Lamp?

It's surprisingly easy to make a DIY lava lamp and the perfect way to keep your kids learning and having fun over the summer! 

What you need per person/group...

• Can You Engineer A Lava Lamp? Creator Sheet
• Bottle (NO LIDS)
• Small Cup
• Spoon
• Baking Soda
• Vegetable Oil
• Vinegar
• Food Coloring

What you need to do...

• Students will begin by picking groups and/or working independently. Pass out a Creator Sheet to each student or group.
• Have all items passed out at tables (Empty bottle, small cup, baking soda, vegetable oil, vinegar, food coloring, spoon).
• First step, take your empty bottle and put a few spoonfuls of baking soda at the bottom.
• Have students take a guess on what the baking soda does in this reaction on their Creator Sheet.
• Next students will take the vegetable oil and fill it about two thirds of the way. DO NOT MIX THE ITEMS IN THE BOTTLE.
• In the small cup, take the vinegar and food coloring (roughly 3-4 drops of the food coloring). You only need a small amount at the bottom of the cup.
• Now it is time for some fun! Take the vinegar and slowly add a drop or two at a time into the bottle and see the transformation of your lava lamp.
• If you want to make it a lamp, take your phone light or a flashlight and put it at the bottom of the bottle.

We would love to see you try this STEM Challenge. Share your results with us through social media!

Happy Making,

Maker Maven