The Chicago Public Library is sponsoring a winter break reading challenge called “Mix it up!” Through January 9, students can learn about chemistry by cooking with an adult, making your own bubble solution, or trying an experiment.
Students can earn a prize by doing the following:
- Read a book, magazine, or website about chemistry for at least 20 minutes a day for five days over winter break.
- Discover or create an activity about chemistry (there are many suggested activities at the CPS website) and return to the library to tell a librarian about it.
You can learn more about the program at this link. Students also can download a learning log to keep track of their reading and activities. Students who complete all reading and activities and turn in the learning log by January 17 will be awarded a prize.
The website lists several books on chemistry available for different ages and links to a longer list of titles about chemistry. Here are some of the suggested activities:
- Make your own lava lamp with a plastic bottle, water, oil, food coloring, and fizzing tablets.
- Build a volcano and use household ingredients to make it erupt.
- Ever wonder why apples turn brown when they’re cut? Try this simple oxidation experiment to find out.
- Find out what pigments are in black markers.
- Attend one of our Mix It Up with Mad Science events.
- Experiment with soap, water, and sugar to make your own bubble solution.
- What would an elephant brush his teeth with? Elephant toothpaste, of course!
- Learn all about “non-Newtonian” liquids by making some oobleck—is it a solid or a liquid?
- Amaze your friends and family with this magic ice experiment.
- Looking for a tasty chemical reaction? Try a recipe in one of these cookbooks for kids.
The Winter Learning Challenge is made possible through the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
