A Hands-On STEM Play & Engineering Kit

Created by Scientific Sue, whose interactive science shows inspire thousands of young scientists every year.

What happens when storytelling meets structural engineering?

In this interactive STEM theatre experience, children don’t just hear the story… they build it, test it, and engineer their way through it!

Inspired by Sue Carvell’s (Scientific Sue’s) live performances, The 3 Ingenious Pigs & Gale Force the Wolf transforms a familiar tale into a powerful exploration of forces, materials, design, and problem-solving.

Exclusive Access: The Ingenious Engineers Resource Hub

When you purchase this kit, you’re not just receiving materials — you’re unlocking a complete teaching experience.

You will be sent a secure password granting access to The Ingenious Engineers Resource Hub, your dedicated online support space for delivering the full STEM theatre experience with confidence.

Inside the Hub you’ll find:

• Full narrated script for easy classroom delivery
• Clear explanations of forces, materials and structures
• Step-by-step engineering challenge guidance
• Drama direction tips to engage every child
• Real-world housing comparison visuals
• Extension and differentiation ideas
• Curriculum mapping (UK & Ireland)
• Question prompts to deepen scientific thinking

Everything is designed to help you lead meaningful investigations — not just activities.

Full of experiments, facts, and fun ways to bring Science2Life!

What Children Will Do

• Act out the story using pig and wolf masks
• Test houses against “Gale Force” wind power
• Build and compare straw, stick, and brick structures
• Explore stability, strength, and structural design
• Create and use a working balloon pulley system to solve a dramatic rescue challenge
• Predict, test, improve, and redesign their builds

This is engineering thinking in action.

STEM Concepts Explored

• Pushes and pulls
• Effects of forces (starting, stopping, changing direction)
• Strong vs weak structures
• Materials and their properties
• Stability and foundations
• Simple machines (pulleys)
• Real-world housing comparisons

Perfect for linking to Forces & Energy, World Around Us, and cross-curricular drama and literacy objectives.

What’s Included

• Character masks (pigs and wolf)
• Story script for teacher-led narration
• House-building materials (straw, sticks, template guidance)
• Guidance for brick builds (LEGO® or similar)
• Pulley system activity instructions
• Teacher guide with STEM explanations and discussion prompts
• Real-world housing comparison notes
• Extension ideas for literacy, numeracy, and drama

Everything you need to bring the classroom story to life.

Designed for Teachers. Loved by Children.

Created by Sue Carvell — founder of Science2Life and former Guinness World Record holder for the Largest Practical Science Lesson — this kit blends:

Practical engineering
Creative drama
Scientific investigation
Cross-curricular learning

Full of experiments, facts, and fun ways to bring Science2Life!

The post STEM STORY: 3 Ingenious Pigs Engineering Kit appeared first on Science2Life.

Uncover the secrets of ancient Celtic science through storytelling, experiments, and hands-on discovery!

Includes:

• Hands-on activity kit delivered by post

• Exclusive workshop video with Scientific Sue

• 35-page teaching & guidance booklet

• Bonus downloadable resources as they’re released
  Delivery: UK & Ireland
  Perfect for: Teachers, home educators, and curious families

Outside the UK & Ireland? Just contact us first so we can arrange delivery.

Step back in time and explore the fascinating world of the Celts with this interactive online workshop, led by Scientific Sue. Through storytelling, experiments, and creative activities, you’ll uncover how the Celts used plants, chemistry, and clever engineering in their everyday lives.

When you purchase this workshop, you’ll receive everything you need to bring the experience to life:

Activity Kit Box (delivered by post)
Packed with materials for hands-on experiments, including natural dyeing, soap making, coin casting, and more.

Exclusive Online Access (link and password provided after purchase)

• Full workshop video – follow along with Scientific Sue as she guides you through the activities step by step.

• 35-page teaching & guidance booklet – packed with scientific explanations, activity instructions, historical insights, and creative inspiration.

• Bonus resources – additional worksheets, activities, and teaching aids as they are released.

This workshop is perfect for teachers, home educators, and curious families who want to combine storytelling, science, and history in a fun, interactive way.

Format: Online access + physical activity kit
Recommended for: Ages 8+ (with adult guidance)

What’s in the Kit

Activity 1 – Iron Extraction

• Pre-measured iron oxide & sodium carbonate mix
• Wooden splint x 2
• Neodymium magnet x 2
• Small test-tube with iron filings
• Candle

Activity 2 – Natural Paints

• Dried hibiscus petals 15 g
• Dried marigold heads 10 g
• Dried butterfly pea flowers 4 g
• Red cabbage powder 10 g
• Gum Arabic powder 80 g
• pH colour chart for red cabbage

Activity 3 – Celtic Warrior Art

• Male warrior template
• Female warrior template

Enhance the Workshop Experience!

Make your Celtic Chemist session even more memorable by giving every child the chance to carry out their own Iron Ore Extraction experiment during the workshop.

These standalone kits are designed for use under adult supervision and take just 5 minutes to complete — perfect for festivals, science events, and classroom activities.

Each kit contains everything needed for a fully hands-on experience, allowing every learner to extract their own source of iron as part of the workshop.

Magnet Safety Notice: Each kit contains strong neodymium magnets. Adult supervision is required, and kits are not suitable for children under 8.

[Click here to order extra kits]

Workshop Overview

This immersive, hands-on experience blends science, history, art, and engineering through three linked activities, inspired by the Science Week theme:
The Science of Innovation – Then, Today and Tomorrow

Activities include:

1. Iron Extraction Demonstration

• Teacher-led experiment showing how the Celts smelted iron from ore.
• Teacher notes provide information on modern blast furnaces and future hydrogen-based steelmaking.

1. Making Natural Paints

• Pupils create pigments from plants such as hibiscus, butterfly pea, marigold, and red cabbage.
• Learn about their historic uses and modern sustainable alternatives.

1. Celtic Warrior Art Project

• Pupils design warrior face markings using the paints they have made, exploring Celtic symbolism and creativity.

Why This Workshop Stands Out

This is more than just a science workshop — it’s an immersive journey that blends history, heritage, art, and engineering into one unforgettable experience. Created especially for Science Week, it’s equally perfect for Heritage Week, arts festivals, museum events, and cross-curricular projects throughout the year. Pupils don’t just watch — they make, explore, and connect with Ireland’s cultural heritage while developing STEM skills that last a lifetime.

• Cross-curricular – Links history, art, science, and engineering.
• Hands-on & visual – Every child creates something to take home.
• STEM + Heritage – Shows science as part of Ireland’s cultural past.
• Adaptable – Suitable for primary and lower secondary pupils.
• Curriculum-supportive – Forces, materials, states of matter, natural resources, sustainability.

Long before modern science labs, the Celts were masters of invention. They could turn rock into metal, plants into paints, and ideas into beautiful designs. In this workshop, you’ll step into their world — testing, creating, and innovating just as they did.

The post THE CELTIC CHEMIST – An Interactive Online Workshop appeared first on Science2Life.

Unleash the Jitterbug! A thrilling engineering activity using electric excitement with off-centre cam magic!

Science2Life’s Science iT! Activities takes everyday life objects, toys and knick-knacks and turns them into fun, innovative science projects.

In this activity Scientific Sue uses a simple circuit with a motor and off-centred mass to turn a pot into a Jitterbug! In fact the vibrating circuit could be attached to a range of items. What would you like to see vibrate across the floor?

This activity allows your children to learn to build electrical circuits in a unique, engaging, fun and achievable way!

We supply the items required to bring your bug creation to life. Hear it buzz and watch it skitter across the table or floor.

With a little more ingenuity  you can turn this Jitterbug into a Drawbot! Just add felt tipped pens as legs and turn your design into a drawing machine. Switch on the motor and watch your creation come to life to wiggle and vibrate across the page. The Drawbot Click on this link to see it in action!

Contents:

• 350 ml pot with lid x 30
• Battery holder with wires and switch x 30
• AA Battery x 30
• Motor tag connectors x 60
• 5 V motor x 30
• Off-centre Cam x 30
• Motor clip x 30
• Sticky glue dots x 300
• Lolly pop sticks x 100
• Wiggly eyes x 60
• Bag of craft materials
• Teaching notes

What you need:

What will your creation look like?

Art materials to turn your machine into the most unique bug!

This kit makes use of a rapidly spinning off-centre mass to cause movement.

In these images the circuit is placed on top the lid – the lid is then connected to the item you wish to turn into a jitterbug.

Our bug with the battery and motor inside the pot.

The Jitterbug!

Click on the link above to see my creation in action! The art materials are not included –  our creations  are just intended to show you how easily the vibrating lid or pot can be modified.

The circuit can be placed on to of the lid or pot or inside the pot – If inside the pot you will find there is more scope for decorating your vibrating creature.

If the motor mount is on top pipe cleaners and other items can be added to the yellow cam to creating a spinning nose or tail!

Jitterbug_Teacher_Curriculum_Sheet – Click here to view the full curriculum links for Ireland, Northern Ireland, England & Wales.

Curriculum Links:

• construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts, including battery, wires, switch and motor.
• recognise that a switch opens and closes a circuit and associate this with whether the motor spins or not.
• develop and design an innovative, functional and appealing product that is fit for purpose.

Science2Life’s Science iT! activities and programmes

Children love to be engaged in learning, especially through interactive projects that they can really get involved and be hands on with.

Science2Life’s Science iT! activities and programmes are part of our STEAM Academy. The activities use everyday life objects, toys and knick-knacks and turns them into fun, innovative, hands-on experiences designed to encourage children to:

• discover the amazing world of science and engineering
• to perform engaging activities that show how science and engineering is at work in their everyday lives
• to foster a lifelong love of science and engineering
• to give a basic grounding in scientific concepts and scientific thinking
• to increase children’s motivation to learn and
• enhance their perception, creativity and logic.

Hands-on learning is learning by doing.

Children involved in our ‘Science iT!’ activities and programmes are introduced to various STEAM learning methods and activities. Our creative programmes involve learning activities that require active thinking and experimenting to find out how things work. We all know how curious children are about the world around them and how they love using the word ‘why?’

The aim of our activities is to provide optimal learning opportunities that strategically help children grasp mathematics, engineering and science concepts.

The inclusion of the arts component into STEM makes it more fun to learn, and more approachable to children.

Art education allows children to learn things in a more open-ended way and make them applicable to real life.

Links to the curriculum

All of Science2Life activities can be used to entertain children – however they have been created with the curriculum in mind, so are perfect activities to generate mesmerizing examples of the topics they can be used to explore.

All of our Science iT! activities can up scaled-up to be used in workshops within the classroom, for festival and birthday celebrations, which provide opportunities for children to collaborate on initiatives, explorations and creations.

The idea behind our Science iT! activities is to ignite children’s natural innate curiosity about the world around them (and the items in it) and to channel their enthusiasm for scientific discovery as early as possible.

Currently Science2Life have the following Science iT! activities:

1. The Magical EVANESCO Spell
2. The Magical AMORTENTIA Spell
3. The Super Bouncing Bubble Kit
4. Make your own Fossil Kit
5. Colour Changing Bracelet Kit
6. Pneumatic Monsters Activity
7. Creative Circuits
8. The Magical Wandarama
9. Gone Fishing
10. The Jitter Bug

All of the above can be upscaled to become workshops. Interested? Give us a call!

Scientificsue@science2life.com

+447970884728

Note: All of Science2Life’s STEAM ACADEMY shows and workshops are designed to not only motivate and fire the spirit of discovery within your children but also ignite curiosity in their minds.

For more information on our shows visit our website: https://www.science2life.com

Sparks of imagination are at the heart of creativity!
                                                                                   – Scientific Sue

The post JITTERBUG ACTIVITY CLASSROOM KIT (30) appeared first on Science2Life.

• Hands-on educational project

• Online support for setting up and delivering the programme

• Virtual workshop given by Scientific Sue

Want Scientific Sue to run this session in your school, for your event or even to create a bespoke session for you? That can be arranged too!

Although we have called this activity ‘Pneumatic Mini-Beasts‘ your children can use the contents to make any toy which uses the inflated balloon to open or move it. This creative activity helps to develop children’s understanding of control through investigating simple pneumatic systems and designing and making a model of a toy that has moving parts controlled by moving air – pneumatics.

Enough material to make 30 models

• Balloon pump
• Balloons x 40
• Paper plates x 60
• Double sided stickers/sticky dots x 250
  

  Is this a friendly spider?

• Pipe cleaners x 300
• Plastic tubing x 30
• Ping pong balls x 60
• Wiggly eyes x 60
• Wire ties x 40
• Plastic ‘throat’ rings x 30
• Rocket balloon
• Pneumatic Monsters Art Kit:
• 30 Creature Design Sheets with Name Cards
• 30 Boolmarks
• 30 Mini-Beast (Monster) Profile Cards
• Teaching notes

The children create a toy which can be opened using air moving out of an inflated balloon.

Extra balloon pumps can be order by clicking this link.

Teaching notes included

This creative activity can also be used to investigate camouflage as an adaptation and why it helps organisms to survive. The activity can reinforce the usefulness of being able to ‘hide’ in an environment in a fun way – and which child doesn’t like playing hide-and-seek?!

Engage your children in an exciting hands-on activity by introducing them to a simple pneumatic toy project. This delightful creation, powered by the inflation of a balloon, offers an excellent opportunity for students to explore basic principles of air pressure while unleashing their creativity.

In this project, children construct a charming creepy crawly toy with a unique twist—the toy’s mouth is animated by the inflation of a balloon. This dynamic feature adds an element of surprise and fosters curiosity among students. Not only does it serve as an entertaining toy, but it also provides an interactive platform for learning about pneumatic systems.

Encourage students to personalise their creepy crawlies by decorating them with vibrant colours and patterns. This creative aspect opens the door to discussions about camouflage in the animal kingdom, making the project an interdisciplinary learning experience.

Through this hands-on activity, students will not only grasp the fundamentals of pneumatic systems but also gain insight into the fascinating world of adaptation and survival strategies. This project not only enhances their understanding of science and engineering but also cultivates artistic expression and critical thinking skills.

Note: The balloon can be inflated by the children directly blowing down the tube or with the aid of a balloon pump.

The Mini-Beast Art Kit will allow your children  to:

 Activity 1: Creature Design Sheet

 Objective: Children will sketch and decorate their own creepy crawly creature.
 Focus: Shape, colour, pattern, camouflage techniques, body structure (legs, wings, antennae).
 Top Tip: Encourage them to think about how their creature hides in its habitat—leaf patterns? Muddy textures? Bark-like colours?

 Add-on: Give their creature a name and write one “super power” or adaptation that helps it survive.

 Activity 2: Creature Fact Bookmark

 Objective: Children will choose a real-life insect, bug, or small animal that inspired their pneumatic toy and create an information bookmark.
 Focus: Name, habitat, adaptations, diet, and a fun fact.

 Challenge: Can they link their design to something real? (e.g., “My creepy crawly is based on the stick insect—it’s almost invisible in the woods!”)

 Activity 3: Monster Profile Card

 Objective: Create a “Meet My Monster” profile card.
 Focus: Drawing of the final creature, a short story, character traits, habitat description, and what makes it unique.

 Optional Prompt:

• My monster’s name is…
• It lives in…
• It eats…
• It hides by…
• When it feels threatened, it…

 Extension Idea: Use the envelope to create a habitat pocket! Decorate it and tuck the creature design or profile inside.

Bonus Idea: Display Wall

Create a class gallery of monsters! Use string and pegs or a wall board to hang:

• The Monster Profile Cards
• The Bookmarks
• Photos of the finished pneumatic creations

Science2Life’s Science iT! activities and programmes

Children love to be engaged in learning, especially through interactive projects that they can really get involved and be hands on with.

Science2Life’s Science iT! activities and programmes are part of our STEAM Academy. The activities use everyday life objects, toys and knick-knacks and turns them into fun, innovative, hands-on experiences designed to encourage children to:

• discover the amazing world of science and engineering
• to perform engaging activities that show how science and engineering is at work in their everyday lives
• to foster a lifelong love of science and engineering
• to give a basic grounding in scientific concepts and scientific thinking
• to increase children’s motivation to learn and
• enhance their perception, creativity and logic.

Hands-on learning is learning by doing.

Children involved in our ‘Science iT!’ activities and programmes are introduced to various STEAM learning methods and activities. Our creative programmes involve learning activities that require active thinking and experimenting to find out how things work. We all know how curious children are about the world around them and how they love using the word ‘why?’

The aim of our activities is to provide optimal learning opportunities that strategically help children grasp mathematics, engineering and science concepts.

The inclusion of the arts component into STEM makes it more fun to learn, and more approachable to children.

Art education allows children to learn things in a more open-ended way and make them applicable to real life.

Links to the curriculum

All of Science2Life activities can be used to entertain children – however they have been created with the curriculum in mind, so are perfect activities to generate mesmerizing examples of the topics they can be used to explore.

Plus our Science iT! activities can up scaled-up to be used in workshops within the classroom, for festival and birthday celebrations, which provide opportunities for children to collaborate on initiatives, explorations and creations.

The idea behind our Science iT! activities is to ignite children’s natural innate curiosity about the world around them (and the items in it) and to channel their enthusiasm for scientific discovery as early as possible.

Currently Science2Life have the following Science iT! activities:

1. The Magical EVANESCO Spell
2. The Magical AMORTENTIA Spell
3. The Super Bouncing Bubble Kit
4. Make your own Fossil Kit
5. Colour Changing Bracelet Kit
6. Pneumatic Mini-Beast Kit x 4
7. Creative Circuits
8. The Magical Wandarama
9. Gone Fishing
10. The Jitter Bug

Each of the above activities can be turned into a workshop programme! Interested? Give us a call!

Scientificsue@science2life.com

+447970884728

Note: All of Science2Life’s STEAM ACADEMY shows and workshops are designed to not only motivate and fire the spirit of discovery within your children but also ignite curiosity in their minds.

For more information on our shows visit our website: https://www.science2life.com

Sparks of imagination are at the heart of creativity!
– Scientific Sue     

The post PNEUMATIC MINI-BEAST ACTIVITY CLASSROOM KIT (30) appeared first on Science2Life.

Mini funnels for sand art, perfume, spices, essential oil etc

• Pack of 5 miniature funnels
• ★ MULTIPLE USES: essential oil funnel, powder funnel, sand art funnel etc.
• ★ BEST QUALITY: The Funnel designed to fit all kind of vials and small bottles
• ★ 5 PIECES
• ★ HANDLE: Helps holding the funnel while transfer
• ★ SIZE: Opening Diameter 3.1 cm / Bottom Diameter 0.6 cm X 3.9 cm Height

The post MINI FUNNEL 5 PACK appeared first on Science2Life.

Already enjoyed The Science of Dragons Experience and need more kits so everyone can take part?
These extra kits contain everything you need for hands-on activities for up to 30 pupils – just £60 each (that’s only £2 per additional child!).

Perfect for:

• Teachers who want to include extra classes

• Festival organisers catering for larger groups

• Corporate partners supporting more schools

Need the full experience?
If you haven’t yet purchased The Science of Dragons Experience, you’ll need the complete package first.
Click here to order the full Science of Dragons Experience

What’s Included in Each Extra Kit

All the experiment materials, instruction packs, and dragon-themed artwork needed for a magical, curriculum-linked STEM experience:

Please remember: This product does not include access to the video of the Science of Dragons Show or the Teacher Training Video access. It is intended as an add-on for customers who already have access to The Science of Dragons Experience.

How to Order

UK Orders

• Order online via the link on this page.

• Or email scientificsue@science2life.com to request an invoice.

• Schools or companies using a Purchase Order: simply send your PO number and billing details, and we’ll arrange the paperwork for you.

Ireland & European Orders
Although Science2Life is based in Northern Ireland, courier services class all deliveries to the Republic of Ireland as international shipments.
For orders to Ireland (and other European destinations), postage is considerably higher than UK mainland rates. Please email us for a personalised shipping quote before placing your order.

Need more than one kit?

• Extra kits, each with materials for up to 30 pupils, are available for £60 – just £2 per additional child. Perfect for whole-school participation!

• Bulk Discount: Order 5 kits or more and receive a special discounted rate – ideal for multi-class, multi-school, or sponsor-funded projects.

To arrange your order, request a quote, or discuss bulk pricing, email: scientificsue@science2life.com

Corporate Sponsorship & Community Impact

Looking to make a meaningful difference in your local community?

Our Science of Dragons Virtual Experience is a powerful STEAM engagement opportunity for companies who want to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

With your support, schools in your area can access this immersive, curriculum-linked science experience – complete with classroom kits, teacher guidance, and hands-on experiments that leave a lasting impression.

You can:

• Sponsor a single school or multiple schools in your area

• Add your branding to a thank-you message in the video

• Receive feedback and photos from the classes you support

Contact Sue to discuss bespoke packages and bulk order discounts for schools in your community.

The post EXTRA KITS – The Science of Dragons Experience appeared first on Science2Life.

Fizz! Pop! Fly!

Prepare for liftoff! The Bug Blast Launch Lab combines hands-on science with out-of-this-world fun as children launch their bugstronauts sky-high using fizz-powered rocket tubes.

Each kit includes:

• 10 reusable fizz rocket tubes
• 10 bug toppers
  

  A young scientist launches the Pop–Fizz–Fly bug rocket — learning that science really is a blast with Scientific Sue!

• Vitamin C tablets (enough for 2 per child)
• Mission Control Launch Guide
• Bug Blast Mission Log

Big fun, big learning, and big wow factor!

You’ll Also Need:

• Water
• Paper towels – if working indoors
• Safety glasses (recommended)

Curriculum Links:

• KS2/3 Science: Forces and Motion
• KS2/3 Science: Reversible and Irreversible Changes
• Working Scientifically: Planning, Measuring, and Recording

Bugstronaut Launch Instructions

Pop – Fizz – Fly! Get Ready for Launch

Peel off the sticky backing from your Bugstronaut’s feet and stick them firmly onto the outside of the rocket lid.
Make sure your Bugstronaut is safely attached and ready for the ride!

Add the Water

Pour one tablespoon (15 ml) of water into your rocket tube.
This is your starting volume — you can experiment later to see how the amount of water affects your launch time and flight height.

Pop in the Tablet

Drop in one vitamin C tablet — this is your rocket’s fuel!
This is a starting amount — you can experiment later to see how changing the amount of tablet affects the height and time to lift-off.

Fizz!

The tablet fizzes in the water, producing carbon dioxide gas (CO₂).
As the gas builds up, it increases pressure inside the closed tube.

Fly!

Quickly push the lid on tightly, keeping it pointed away from your face.
Place your rocket upright and step back (or hold it out at arm’s length).

Now wait for lift-off!
You won’t see the pressure building — but it’s happening inside the tube!

The time it takes for your Bugstronaut to blast off depends on:
1⃣ How much carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) is being produced, and
2⃣ How firmly you pushed the lid on.

When the pressure becomes too great… POP!
The lid flies off at speed, and your Bugstronaut blasts into the sky!

Did You Know?

Gas pushes outwards in all directions inside your rocket tube.

As the fizzing tablet reacts with the water, it produces carbon dioxide gas. The tube already contains air, so the carbon dioxide molecules mix with the air molecules inside the tube.

Because there are now more gas molecules moving around in the same fixed space, they collide with the sides and lid more often. These collisions increase the pressure inside the tube.

When the force pushing upward on the lid becomes greater than the friction holding it down, the lid pops off and launches your Bugstronaut!

Why Schools Love It

• Reusable & cost-effective → once you have the kit, it can travel class to class
• Perfect for STEM lessons, science clubs, and school events
• Includes full safety guidance and curriculum-linked science notes

Why Parties & Festivals Love It

• Make-and-take activity → each child decorates their rocket tube, launches their bugstronaut, and takes their kit home
• Brilliant for birthday parties, holiday clubs, and science festivals
• Exciting group launches

Bug Blast Launch Lab

Can you get the bug home?

Mission Briefing

Your bugstronaut is about to embark on a daring space mission — but first, we need to fuel the rocket! Add water and a fizz tablet to your rocket tube, snap the bug-topped lid into place… and wait.

Nothing seems to be happening at first, but inside the sealed tube, something incredible is going on. The tablet is fizzing away, releasing an invisible gas called carbon dioxide. As the gas builds up, the pressure rises higher… and higher… and HIGHER…

Suddenly — POP! WHOOSH! Your bug blasts skyward, ready to return home to its planet! Can you aim carefully enough to land your bug safely in its home planet bucket?

What’s Happening Inside the Tube?

The fizzing tablet contains citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (sodium hydrogen carbonate). When they mix with water, they react to make carbon dioxide gas. The gas has nowhere to escape, so it builds up inside the sealed rocket tube. When the pressure becomes too much, it forces the lid off — and your bugstronaut launches into orbit!

This thrilling moment is a perfect way to explore:

• Chemical reactions (acids + bases → gas)
• Gas pressure (invisible forces at work)
• Rocket science (Newton’s Third Law: for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction)

Bug Blast Launch Lab — Mission Safety Checklist

Protect Your Eyes

• Wear safety glasses if you have them.
• No glasses? Swimming goggles, sunglasses, or other protective eyewear are perfect alternatives.
• If you already wear glasses, keep them on — they’ll help shield your eyes.

Keep Hands Dry

• Dry hands only!
• Wet fingers can make the tablet start fizzing before you’re ready.

Safe Launch Zone

• Choose a big open space — a school hall, playground, or outdoors is best.
• Mark a safety line and make sure everyone stands behind it.
• Always point your rocket away from people, pets, walls, and windows.

Rocket Holding & Aiming Rules

• Hold your rocket firmly and vertically for the first launch — this gives the most dramatic lift-off!
• For subsequent launches, you can experiment with different angles:
  

  Which angles gives maximum range?

  • Around 45° usually gives the longest range.

• Never hold the rocket horizontally! As soon as the lid flies off, the water and tablet will shoot out too, creating a mess and a safety risk.

Special Advice for Indoor Launches

• Always test first: An adult should try one launch to check how high the lid flies.
• If the ceiling is too low for a vertical launch, all launches must be done at an angle — provided the room is long enough for safe distances.
• Make sure rockets are aimed away from people, furniture, lights, and windows.

The Waiting Game

• After adding water and snapping on the lid, hold steady — the fizzing reaction has started!
• You won’t see the gas building up, but that’s part of the suspense…
• Then suddenly: POP! WHOOSH! Your bugstronaut blasts away!

After the Launch

• Collect all lids and bugs after each blast-off — no bugstronauts left behind!
• Wipe up any spills to keep the launch zone safe and dry.
• At the end, wash your hands.

Bugstronaut Craft Zone

Before your mission begins, it’s time to design your rocket!

Decorate your tube to turn it into your very own Bugstronaut Space Shuttle:

Option 1 – Sticker Design
Use stickers to decorate directly on the tube — add stars, planets, or your Bugstronaut’s name!

Option 2 – Paper Wrap Design

1. Draw your rocket design on a piece of paper.
2. Add patterns, colours, and space symbols.
3. Wrap it around your tube and glue or tape it in place.

Science Tip:
Real rockets are decorated too! Engineers and astronauts add symbols, flags, and mission patches to show teamwork and identity.

Challenge:
Can you give your Bugstronaut rocket a mission name and logo?
Write it below or on your paper design!

Sparks of imagination are at the heart of creativity!
– Scientific Sue     

The post BUG BLASTER LAUNCH LAB appeared first on Science2Life.

Next best thing to a live show!

Enthusiastic, informative and interactive science shows delivered virtually – with pupil interactions built in!

Many of the items above are available in our online store!

When you book your Virtual Science Experience you will be:

• sent the show video (which has an introduction section tailored to your event). This can then be up-loaded onto your schools’ platform.
• sent a second video and pdf document at the same time – they give guidance on the interactive sections of the show (the parts Scientific Sue needs volunteers for) and on the hands-on workshop.
• posted the Experience Activity Box. This box contains the items and chemicals required for the interactive sections of the show and the subsequent hands-on workshop (for 30 children – want extra kits? Contact us before booking)

Scientific Sue would normally choose just one or two volunteers per sketch to help her out on stage during her live shows; this show is  virtual you, so you the teacher (facilitator), is now in charge of these sections of the activity. You will be guided to stop the video at certain points throughout the show. At these times:

1. You may stick to the programme and choose the number of volunteers Sue requests or
2. You can pause the video for longer and have extra helpers or
3. let ALL of your pupils do the experiment!

We love option 3! It is perfect for the classroom plus festivals, birthday parties and fun corporate events – This is the joy of not being constrained by a timetable built around an outreach programme which is not virtual.

We add the personal touch to your show video of choice!

Let us know about your event and the key messages you want your audience to be aware of. Scientific Sue will produce a short introduction video for you which will then be spliced into the video/s or your choice. Want your own introduction added? Just send us the clip via WeTransfer.

Your logo (plus other logos if the event is sponsored) will also be included.

Each ‘Virtual Experience Plus!’ activity comes with its own set of teaching notes and a short explanatory video for you the teacher (facilitator) on examples of how you can run the sessions as well as the virtual show video and accompanying interactivity box.

All of Science2Life’s STEAM ACADEMY workshops are designedto not only motivate and fire the spirit of discovery within children but also ignite curiosity in their minds.

Age Suitability: 6-13

Weather can be extreme, scary and devasting and the effects ofclimate change is just going make weather even scarier. No better topic for Scientific Sue to use her drama skills to entertain you!!

We all know about tornados but did you know fires can also spin! Join us to find out how fire tornados can be formed and why the Australian fire brigade call the eucalyptus tree ‘the gasoline tree’.

This show has given Scientific Sue a few engineering challenges too. Find out how a super flooding system, not fedby rain water but by Mentos (!) can be built. High winds and flooding can knock down bridges – sometimes these bridges are the life line for remote villages – volunteers will be needed to help build a pulley system out of balloons to help save the stranded villagers!

Something must be melting to cause the Earth’s water levels to rise. What is it? Thinking icebergs? Wrong!!

The consequences of any changes to our climate could lead tointense droughts, storms, heat waves and rising sea levels

– we don’t want to alarm you we want to scare you!

Scare you with crazy, innovative science demonstrations which will answer many questions about climate change but may also put your volunteer’s very existence in danger!

Warning: this show is at times educational however; it might occasionally be highly fictional. You should only partake if you want to enjoya creatively shocking but fun-filled experience!

Using pulley systems to save lives

The post VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE: THE DEVASTATINGLY DRAMATIC CLIMATE SHOW appeared first on Science2Life.

Part of Science2Life’s SCIENCE iT! Series

Turn everyday objects into exciting science projects with Scientific Sue! This buzzing, wiggling Jitterbug activity lets children explore the science of movement and simple electrical circuits in a creative, hands-on way.

What is it?

In this fun STEAM activity, your child will build a simple electric circuit using a 5V motor and an off-centre spinning weight. Attach it to a colourful pot, do some creative decorating and buzz! – you’ve got a jittering, skittering bug that zooms across the floor or table!

With a little extra imagination, your Jitterbug can become a Drawbug – just add the felt-tip pen legs and watch it scribble wild, spinning patterns across the page!

 Click here to see it in action!

What Will They Learn?

• How to build a simple electrical circuit
• What happens when you add an off-centre spinning mass
• How to experiment with motion, vibration, and balance
• How creative thinking turns science into fun

What’s in the Kit?

Everything you need to make your bug jitter, skitter and draw:

• 1 x 5V motor
• 1 x motor clip
• 1 x off-centre cam wheel
• 1 x battery holder with switch
• 1 x pot with lid
• Sticky glue dots
• 3 legs
• 3 felt-tip pens
• 1 x AA battery
• 2 x googly eyes
• 4 x Colourful pipe cleaners

 You’ll need: Your own art and craft materials to personalise your creation – extra pipe cleaners, pompoms, sequins, feathers… whatever brings your bug to life!

Curriculum Links

• Build a simple series electrical circuit using motors, wires, switches and batteries
• Understand how switches control current and movement
• Design and make a unique, functional vibrating product
• Explore energy transfer and forces in action

Top Tips

• Place the motor inside the pot for easier decorating
• Or mount it on top to add spinning tails, noses or hats!
• Try attaching the circuit to other objects – what else can you make move?

Ready to buzz into action?
Whether you’re building a bug or creating a Drawbug masterpiece, this kit is the perfect way to mix science, engineering and creativity in one unforgettable experience.

What will your creation look like?

The Jitterbug!

Click on the link above to see my creation in action! The art materials are not included –  our creations  are just intended to show you how easily the vibrating lid or pot can be modified.

Science2Life’s Science iT! activities and programmes

Children love to be engaged in learning, especially through interactive projects that they can really get involved and be hands on with.

Science2Life’s Science iT! activities and programmes are part of our STEAM Academy. The activities use everyday life objects, toys and knick-knacks and turns them into fun, innovative, hands-on experiences designed to encourage children to:

• discover the amazing world of science and engineering
• to perform engaging activities that show how science and engineering is at work in their everyday lives
• to foster a lifelong love of science and engineering
• to give a basic grounding in scientific concepts and scientific thinking
• to increase children’s motivation to learn and
• enhance their perception, creativity and logic.

Hands-on learning is learning by doing.

Children involved in our ‘Science iT!’ activities and programmes are introduced to various STEAM learning methods and activities. Our creative programmes involve learning activities that require active thinking and experimenting to find out how things work. We all know how curious children are about the world around them and how they love using the word ‘why?’

The aim of our activities is to provide optimal learning opportunities that strategically help children grasp mathematics, engineering and science concepts.

The inclusion of the arts component into STEM makes it more fun to learn, and more approachable to children.

Art education allows children to learn things in a more open-ended way and make them applicable to real life.

Links to the curriculum

All of Science2Life activities can be used to entertain children – however they have been created with the curriculum in mind, so are perfect activities to generate mesmerizing examples of the topics they can be used to explore.

All of our Science iT! activities can up scaled-up to be used in workshops within the classroom, for festival and birthday celebrations, which provide opportunities for children to collaborate on initiatives, explorations and creations.

The idea behind our Science iT! activities is to ignite children’s natural innate curiosity about the world around them (and the items in it) and to channel their enthusiasm for scientific discovery as early as possible.

Currently Science2Life have the following Science iT! activities:

1. The Magical EVANESCO Spell
2. The Magical AMORTENTIA Spell
3. The Super Bouncing Bubble Kit
4. Make your own Fossil Kit
5. Colour Changing Bracelet Kit
6. Pneumatic Monsters Activity
7. Creative Circuits
8. The Magical Wandarama
9. Gone Fishing
10. The Jitter Bug

All of the above can be upscaled to become workshops. Interested? Give us a call!

Scientificsue@science2life.com

+447970884728

Note: All of Science2Life’s STEAM ACADEMY shows and workshops are designed to not only motivate and fire the spirit of discovery within your children but also ignite curiosity in their minds.

For more information on our shows visit our website: https://www.science2life.com

The post 10 JITTERBUG – A Science iT! Activity appeared first on Science2Life.

Red cabbage – which is purple! – is a natural acid/base indicator

Pronunciation: /AH-mor-TEN-see-ah

Description: Causes target to be strongly attracted to a particular witch or wizard.

Contents:

• Pop-up Wand
• Red Cabbage Magic
• 3 x small clear measuring cups
• 1 x 60 ml measuring up
• 2 x 50 ml bottles with flip top cap
• 2 Pipettes
• Tub of Baking Soda – 40 g
• Tub of Citric Acid – 40 g
• 4 x wooden stirring spoons
• Liquified Ogre’s Bogeys label
• Dragons drool Label

In this video Scientific Sue will show you how you can use the red cabbage powder in a very magical spell.

From the Latin amor (love) tentamen (attempt or effort), Amortentia is a powerful love enchantment. The spell doesn’t actually create love, but causes the target to be strongly attracted to a particular witch or wizard. Both muggles and wizards can fall under the spell of AMORTENTIA!

This video will take you through the steps you need to take to wow  your audience – Science Magic – Fun Guaranteed!

Secrets for Success:

Potions and Explosions Spell Book Click on this link for the full version of this and other spells!

Add a spoonful of the dried cabbage powder into the 60 ml cup. Top up with 40 ml warm water. Leave for 10 minutes. Use a sieve to remove the rehydrated cabbage leaves. You now have some “Dragon’s Drool’ to use in your AMORTENTIA Spell!

Prepare the cups before your audience arrives: place a spoonful of Dried Skin of Basilisk (Citric Acid) into one clear cup and Horn of Bicorn (Baking Soda) in to another.

Watch the video to give you an idea of a possible story line. Don’t forget this is your spell so you can make up any story to go with the colour changes.

Test other powders and liquid in the kitchen and bathroom, with adult supervision. Can you get any other colours? Use the Red cabbage card to give you some ideas.

Science2Life’s Science iT! activities and programmes

Children love to be engaged in learning, especially through interactive projects that they can really get involved and be hands on with.

Science2Life’s Science iT! activities and programmes are part of our STEAM Academy. The activities use everyday life objects, toys and knick-knacks and turns them into fun, innovative, hands-on experiences designed to encourage children to:

• discover the amazing world of science and engineering
• to perform engaging activities that show how science and engineering is at work in their everyday lives
• to foster a lifelong love of science and engineering
• to give a basic grounding in scientific concepts and scientific thinking
• to increase children’s motivation to learn and
• enhance their perception, creativity and logic.

Hands-on learning is learning by doing.

Children involved in our ‘Science iT!’ activities and programmes are introduced to various STEAM learning methods and activities. Our creative programmes involve learning activities that require active thinking and experimenting to find out how things work. We all know how curious children are about the world around them and how they love using the word ‘why?’

The aim of our activities is to provide optimal learning opportunities that strategically help children grasp mathematics, engineering and science concepts.

With the inclusion of the arts component into STEM it makes it more fun to learn, and more approachable to children.

Art education allows children to learn things in a more open-ended way and make them applicable to real life.

Links to the curriculum

All of Science2Life activities can be used to entertain children – however they have been created with the curriculum in mind, so are perfect activities to generate mesmerizing examples of the topics they can be used to explore.

Plus our Science iT! activities can up scaled-up to be used in workshops within the classroom, for festival and birthday celebrations, which provide opportunities for children to collaborate on initiatives, explorations and creations.

The idea behind our Science iT! activities is to ignite children’s natural innate curiosity about the world around them (and the items in it) and to channel their enthusiasm for scientific discovery as early as possible.

Currently Science2Life have the following Science iT! activities:

1. The Magical EVANESCO Spell
2. The Magical AMORTENTIA Spell
3. The Super Bouncing Bubble Kit
4. Make your own Fossil Kit
5. Colour Changing Bracelet Kit
6. Pneumatic Monsters Activity
7. Creative Circuits
8. The Magical Wandarama
9. Gone Fishing
10. The Jitter Bug

Each of the above activities can be turned into a workshop programme! Interested? Give us a call!

Scientificsue@science2life.com

+447970884728

Note: All of Science2Life’s STEAM ACADEMY shows and workshops are designed to not only motivate and fire the spirit of discovery within your children but also ignite curiosity in their minds.

For more information on our shows visit our website: https://www.science2life.com

The post 2 THE MAGICAL AMORTENTIA SPELL – A Science iT! Activity appeared first on Science2Life.