Create some at home magic with this STEM activity
This easy peasy at home science experiment uses things you can find around the house to create a Static Butterfly. Our dolls show kids where STEM can take them in the future but these types of activities create the initial spark!
I made this earlier in the week and Miss 2 loved seeing how the static faded and would recharge the balloon to get the wings to flap – great lesson in cause and effect!
The science
Is it magic? Not at all, it’s static electricity.
All physical objects are made up of atoms. Inside an atom are protons, electrons and neutrons. The protons are positively charged, the electrons are negatively charged, and the neutrons are neutral. All things are made up of these charges
Opposite charges attract each other (negative to positive). Like charges repel each other (positive to positive or negative to negative). Most of the time positive and negative charges are balanced in an object, which makes that object neutral.
Electrons are lost from our hair and gained by the balloon giving it a negative charge When the negatively charged balloon gets close to the positively charged tissue they are attracted to each other. The pull of attraction is too much for the light weight tissue and moves it forward
Questions to ponder
What happens if you use normal paper instead of tissue?
What natural items charge the balloon enough to cause the paper wings to move?
This kids STEM activity can be used to promote:
Language skills: asking questions and inquiry, discussing procedural elements of the task
Social skills: Sharing ideas, working with a partner to create the shapes/stick down objects, turn taking
Fine motor skills: manipulating materials, using tools to create shapes/cut
Please don’t forget to share your creations on social media using the hashtag #inspiredbyokdolls
Printables are for home and educator/classroom use.
Terms of use: Please do not edit artwork, crop or cut any graphic/logo/website of original.
