Ivory Soap Sculptures

Today we had a lot of fun doing a science experiment!  We wanted to see what would happen if we put a bar of Ivory soap in the microwave.  At group time the children suggested various ideas about what might happen to the soap. 

They suggested: it would melt, explode (but they would help clean the microwave), get hot, become bumpy, soggy, or get on fire right away.

We put it in for about 30 seconds and the soap began to puff up and bubble into crazy shapes.  The children said: "The soap exploded!", "It exploded like I said it would!", and "It exploded, it exploded!"

Many of our predictions were correct.  The soap DID heat up.  It DID melt.  It DID have bumps on it.

Some did not happen (thankfully).  The soap DIDN'T catch on fire right away, but we wondered if it would happen if we left it in a long time.  The child who made this prediction is also one who is still enjoying being a fire fighter.  

We put food colour in eyedroppers and painted the soap sculpture.

In September we did a project on colour mixing and this was a great way to apply what we discovered even in May.

The eye droppers are also great for strengthening fine motor skills. 

Tomorrow we are doing this with our 3 year olds as well.  It is a great inexpensive way to include sculpture opportunities within your classroom.  It is also an art experience that the children do together and it encourages cooperation.  Thanks to The Chocolate Muffin Tree blog for the idea!