Preschool Science Experiments: Lemon Juice Explosion

Today, we did two science experiments with lemons. I had some in the fridge and wasn't going to use them and I hated for them to go to waste. Late last night I threw together some hand written data sheets and directions (hence, they are not so neat). When I taught Kindergarten and Pre-K in a public school, I was dismayed to see that the scientific method was not being taught at that grade level. I firmly believe that children are never too young to be exposed to the scientific method and should follow it. I have found that the scientific method is very easy for them to understand, and follow, when presented to them in a simple way. I like to use a rebus (picture) to help my non-reading Snails understand the directions. I also use these "big" words: data, hypothesis, prediction, and observation. We, including Momma Snail, wear goggles (from the dollar store) and a lab coat (a.k.a. dad's white button up shirt) because we are real scientists doing real science experiments...and it just makes us cool.

Our first experiment, the "lemon juice experiment" will answer the question, Is there an easy way to get juice out of a lemon?

These are our directions.

We gather our equipment.



Momma Snail cuts the lemon.



We squeeze the juice into the measuring cup.





The juice from our first lemon. It was very hard to get the juice out.


We roll the lemon and squish it.



We compare the juice from each lemon and record our observations. Big Snail notices that we got more juice out of the lemon that we squished and rolled. We answer the question, is there an easy way to get juice out of a lemon?

In our second experiment, we answer the question, " is there an easy way to make lemon suds?"

These are our directions.



Big Snail adds baking soda to his glass.



We pour the dish soap liquid into the measuring spoon. (That is the bottle I keep my dish detergent in.)
Ready for the next step. Big Snail records his prediction. He thinks that there will be a big explosion. (He thinks that all chemical reactions result in an explosion).



We pour the lemon juice into the glass. (I added some lemon juice from a bottle to our squeezed juice).


Little Snail loved this experiment! She kept asking to do it again and again.





We didn't even have to stir the mixture because the reaction happened instantly. We record our observations and answer the question, is there an easy way to make lemon suds?

When we were done, we sang this song, Chemical Energy.

And, oh yeah, I used the suds to wash the dishes. ;o)

(*lemon image from http://www.freeclipartpictures.com)