| Here is one of our science fair projects kids enjoy a | | | | - A camera |
| lot. It is easy and very visual. The little ones may not | | | | The steps in your project: |
| understand the concept of the electrons yet, but it is | | | | |
| good to let experience it and later the explanation will | | | | 1. Rub the balloon against your sweater |
| make sense much easier as they are familiar with the | | | | 2. Hold the balloon just above the bowl with the puffed |
| effects already. This is an easy science fair project | | | | wheat or rice in it |
| that is quick and easy to do! | | | | 3. Now you take the other balloon and hold it just |
| Science fair projects kids enjoy are always those that | | | | above the puffed wheat or rice without rubbing it on |
| are fun and easy to do and they do not come easier | | | | your sweater first |
| than this one! It may be an easy science fair project, | | | | 4. Get someone to help you take notes through the |
| but they will still learn a lot from it. | | | | whole project and make sure you take a photo of |
| What is static electricity? | | | | each step for your display |
| Questions you should be able to answer once you | | | | Your conclusion: |
| have completed this experiment: | | | | The second balloon that you do not rub against your |
| | | | sweater is your control. It shows you what happens if |
| 1. When rubbing the balloon against your sweater, what | | | | you do nothing to the balloon. |
| happens between the balloon and the sweater? | | | | This is a very important part of the scientific method |
| 2. What happens to the puffed wheat or rice when | | | | as you always have to prove that what you did made |
| the balloon is held just above it? | | | | the difference and that what happened would not |
| 3. Why do you think the puffed wheat or rice jumps | | | | have happened in any case. I mean, without you doing |
| up? | | | | anything. So you have to prove that the puffed wheat |
| 4. Why does the puffed wheat or rice only stick to the | | | | or rice would not have jumped up at the balloon if you |
| balloon for a short while? | | | | did not rub it against your sweater. |
| 5. Why does the puffed wheat or rice not jump up | | | | When you rub the balloon against your sweater the |
| and cling to the second balloon that you did not rub | | | | friction causes electrons to move to the balloon |
| against your sweater? | | | | causing it to be negatively laden, electrically. This will |
| 6. Why do you have to do the second part of the | | | | also cause the balloon to stick to your sweater. Now |
| experiment? | | | | when you hold the balloon close to the puffed wheat |
| 7. What is it called? | | | | or rice, it is drawn to the balloon because of its lower |
| 8. What is the proper scientific method? | | | | electrical load. Once the electrons passed from the |
| What you need for this experiment: | | | | balloon to the puffed wheat or rice, they fall back |
| - 2 Blown up balloons | | | | again as they are no longer drawn to the balloons. |
| - A sweater | | | | Because the puffed wheat or rice is so light it is very |
| - A bowl of puffed wheat or rice | | | | easy to see the effect, even when the difference is |
| - A note book | | | | not that big. |
| - A pen | | | | |