Coventry FabLab
Staff and ambassadors from Coventry University, along with Royal Society of Chemistry volunteers, ran a fun and interactive chemistry activity on 18–19 April and 28–29 May, at Coventry FabLab in the city centre.
AUTHOR: Dr Sharon Williams
The idea behind the workshops is to give the community an opportunity to engage with chemistry via free family science activities. The event allowed 7–11 year old children to do hands-on activities related to everyday life.
One of the activities was called 'Explosion of colour!' Some very unusual things happen when you mix a little milk, food colouring, and a drop of liquid soap. Students designed experiments to find out what causes the explosion of colours, using different milk percentages from 0–4%.
In another experiment UV sensitive beads were used with different sun block protection to compare effectiveness. Students designed their own experiments, and tested different materials that can protect us from UV light. The students prepared their own bracelet beads with UV sensitive beads and letter beads to spell out their name.
We also measured the pH and levels of vitamin C in different fruits from around the world, and looked at viscosities of different solutions.
Over 100 children and their families attended the events and the feedback has been very positive. Another activity is planned for the end of June and we are looking forward to seeing many more enthusiastic students of the future and their families.
Tell us your story
If you've been involved in an event or activity, or just have an interesting story to tell, we want to hear from you! Please get in touch with us by email.
Press office
- Tel:
- +44 (0) 20 7440 3351
- Email:
- Send us an email