Test Your New Invention

• Help children to pretend they have just invented a new material for use in outer space. As is the typical protocol, any new inventions must be tested extensively on earth before use in outer space, and this activity will help children experience this on a small level. In this experiment, kids will be testing a new material that has been designed for protecting spacecraft fuel tanks from the extreme conditions of outer space.
  
  Make sure an adult is present to assist with this activity. Gather an empty soda can, a medium balloon, scissors, a rubber band, and 1/4 cup of boiling water. Cut the top 1/3 off of the balloon. Remove the pop tab from the can and carefully pour the boiling water into the can. Stretch the large part of the balloon over the entire top of the can and secure the balloon onto the can with the rubber band.
  
  Observe what happens as the water cools.
  
  The can collapses inward with the cooling of the water because a vacuum has been created with the balloon. Unfortunately, this means that this material will not be suitable for use in outer space because it won't stand up to atmospheric conditions where outside air is pushing in on inside air.
  
  Help the kids to understand this lesson.
  
  

Observe Ions

• Atoms are small particles that make up matter. Atoms consist of smaller pieces called electrons. Atoms that have a negative or positive charge are called ions. An ion-engine spacecraft can actually propel itself through space by way of ion propulsion. Help kids learn about ions by seeing them in action.
  
  Gather several inflated balloons on strings, a piece of paper, and a hole punch. Make some confetti with the piece of paper using the hole punch. Rub one of the balloons briskly against someone's hair approximately 10 times, and then hold the balloon above the loose confetti. Observe what happens and help the kids understand why the confetti is pulled up to the balloon.
  
  When the balloon is rubbed briskly, some of the electrons from the hair are transferred onto the balloon. These electrons have a negative charge. Atoms that are missing electrons have a positive charge. The confetti has a positive charge as compared to the balloon. Negative and positive charges attract, and this brings the confetti and the balloon together in an example of ion propulsion.