Welcome to 2023 Science Week at Camp Australia! Join us on a journey of scientific discovery as we explore the world of innovation through wacky science experiments and awesome activities that will ignite your child’s curiosity and inspire their inner inventor this National Science Week!

Running from 14-18 August, Your OSHC After School Care will transform into a 'lab’ of innovation, encouraging children to engage in various science week activities from construction and creative projects to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) challenges.

Created by our Science Champions (aka educators) in Your OSHC, here are some of the activities our services will be taking part in during National Science Week. You can try these fun Science Week experiments with your child, using some of the materials available around your home! Want to learn more about Science Week and discover some of the fascinating innovations that have come out of Australia? Read our Australian Inventions Blog now!

Science Week Activities:

1. Ball Run STEM Challenge

Aim: The aim of this activity is to build a ball run that takes as long as possible for the ball to travel from the entrance to the exit. Type: Engineering, STEM, Construction

Resources:

• Paper and cardboard
• Scissors
• Sticky tape
• Ruler
• Pencils
• Table tennis ball
• Clipboard and paper

Instructions:

• Stand the run on a flat, horizontal surface like the floor or a table (or piece of cardboard). It can be taped to this surface and brainstorm your design!
• Cut and tape paper and cardboard to form a ‘run’ for a ping pong ball. Make sure you build the ball run from the bottom up, testing different sections as it is built.
• Test your ball runs and make modifications as required. Time the ball runs to see how long the ping pong ball takes to make its way down (or who has the slowest ball run if tested in teams).

Created by: Colleen Sanderson (Science Champion), Yarrawarrah Public School NSW

2. Erupting Volcanoes

Aim: Create your own erupting volcano! Type: STEM, Critical Thinking

Resources:

• Volcano (made from paper mache, play dough and clay)
• Bi-carb soda
• Vinegar
• Food colouring (optional)

Instructions:

• Place a spoonful of bi-carb soda into the volcano.
• Add a few drops of food colouring.
• Pour in vinegar and observe the chemical reaction.
• Experiment with adding different amounts of bi-carb vs vinegar.
• Try adding a few drops of dish soap to vinegar.

Created by: Kelly Warner (Science Champion), Berwick Lodge Primary School VIC

3. Erupting Lemons

Aim: Create a colour explosion on a lemon. Type: STEM, Creativity, Problem Solving

Resources:

• Lemon
• Liquid dish soap
• Baking soda
• Food colouring
• Bowl
• Test tubes
• Pipette
• Measuring spoon
• Aprons
• Gloves
• Tablecloth

Instructions:

• Cut a lemon in half and place one half in a bowl or on a plate.
• Use a knife to poke holes in some parts of the lemon.
• Place food colouring in each test tube.
• Fill the test tubes half way with water and stir until dissolved.
• Use a pipette to place a few drops on top of the lemon.
• Pour a few drops of liquid dish soap over the food colouring.
• Sprinkle 1tbps of baking soda onto the lemon and watch your lemon erupt!

Created by: Hannah Wigg (Science Champion), Inverleigh Primary School VIC