Bubbles – A First Step To Inspiring A Love of Science With Your Child

This week, I welcome back Andy Allan, the Science Wiz and Director of Curriculum Development for Champions Science Adventures™ for the second in a two-part series on Science Chicago and LabFest!  Andy talks about one of the fun, hands-on science experiments he will be presenting this summer as part of the LabFest! events in the Chicago area.

As I shared in last week’s blog, a few weeks ago I was in Chicago participating in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry’s LabFest!  I worked with LabFest staff to coordinate “hands-on” experiments that would be performed at the 15 LabFest! Events this summer to help inspire of love of science and learning with the children attending the events.

In order to capture the imagination of Chicago, we will explore Polar Molecule Bonding and Thin Film Interference or, as I like to call it, “Bubbleology,” an investigation into the amazing science of bubbles. What makes a bubble a bubble? Why are they round? Why are they colorful? What do they look like from the inside? Can you catch a bubble without it popping?

Science Adventures - Fun with bubbles.

Bubbles are fun and naturally engaging to children of all ages. They are motivational as a little science knowledge enables you to perform some amazing bubble tricks. They are relevant to our lives, they show up when we do the dishes, and can be investigated and tested using everyday items found in local stores.  Finally, through guided inquiry, they support concept retention by providing hands-on activities that actively demonstrate key science concepts. Bubbles garner natural curiosity and provide great pedestals to discuss surface tension, reflection light interference, evaporation and topology. Using simple supplies, Dawn Detergent and a hula hoop, we’re able to create a hands-on interaction with the science of bubbles, an experience that will hopefully be the beginning of a love of science.

So far, Bubbleology 101 has been a hit with the Chicago-area families visiting LabFest! Because children who take part in hands-on science projects learn more and have a deeper understanding of science principles than those who study through traditional classroom learning, we’ll continue to work to promote science that is fun and explores the everyday things in life. I encourage you and your children to try your own bubbleology or any one of these easy experiments at home.

I’m hopeful that today, a student might be trying to blow a better bubble, but tomorrow that success and inspiration might lead them to develop a new clean energy source that powers the world.

About Andy Allan, the Science Wiz and Director of Curriculum Development for Science Adventures
Andy Allan, scientist and educator with Science Adventures™, is passionate about inspiring a world of learners through hands-on science fun.  As a teacher, Andy is familiar with the sense of wonder and natural curiosity younger children have for science. He believes it is important to nourish that interest.

Andy’s passion for science developed as he learned more about the world’s greatest scientists and their hard earned discoveries.  From Newton’s laws of motion to Faraday’s work with electric motors, Andy’s fascination was with the work and experimentation that went into the uncovering of new information about the universe.

Through the Science Adventures programs, Andy develops lessons and experiments that keep children on the cutting edge of discovery by introducing them to the relevant research being studied and developed today.  This year’s Powerful Planet summer camp, for example, will teach the importance of energy efficiency and the need to manage our natural resources from wildlife to oil.

Andy has been with Science Adventures for the last 16 years. In his current position as Director of Curriculum Development, Andy works at creating hands-on inquiry based programs that inspire a joy in science through fun, innovation, and creativity.  Andy holds a B.S. in Physics and Microelectronics as well as a secondary teaching degree.  He is based in Littleton, Colorado.