This morning in the Discovery room the children wanted to do a science experiment exploring liquid. The name of the experiment was Rainbow 🌈 in a jar and the learning intention for the children was to be introduced to the concept of density of liquids.

4 liquids were used which were all of different densities.  They included golden syrup, fairy liquid, oil and water. The children then had a discussion as to which liquid had the ‘thickest density’. They correctly named the golden syrup to be the first liquid in the jar.

The golden syrup was then poured into the jar followed by the fairy liquid, water and oil. A rainbow effect was then created in the jar. The children enjoyed naming the colours of the liquids and especially watching each coloured liquid sit on top of each other.

One child then asked what would happen if the jar was turned upside down. We all watched when the jar was turned upside down and watched all the colours merge together and a nice turquoise colour was created. However our experiment concluded that once the jar had been shaken that the liquids would not go back to their original layers straight away but instead stay mixed up together. Over several hours the liquids separated again.

The children enjoyed their rainbow in a jar science experiment, why don’t you try it at home with your little one.