Climate Change & Reframing Negativity

Have you ever heard of the term climate change? In this video, Katie and Adriana are going to help you take a look at CO2 and its effects on climate change with a DIY fire and sugar snake experiment! 

Background:

Before we start, let’s take a look at what exactly carbon dioxide is. Carbon dioxide is a molecule made of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. It appears as a gas that doesn’t have any color or scent. It can be found in lots of different places in nature, as plants absorb it through photosynthesis and animals like us breathe it out. CO2 is an essential part of our world, as it makes photosynthesis, a process that we need for life, possible. 

Certain human behaviors release large amounts of carbon dioxide gas, especially when we burn fossil fuels to generate electrical power. Using fossil fuels allows us to live our everyday life as it powers our cars, heats our houses, allows us to manufacture our clothes, and much more. However, as excess CO2 is released into the air, the earth’s temperature goes up just like how wrapping yourself up in blankets makes you even warmer.

Materials:

Baking Soda, Sugar, Sand, Lighter Fluid, Lighter , Safety goggles, Heat-resistant gloves

Time Estimated:

20-25 minutes

Directions:

  1. Do NOT try at home unless you are with a parent or guardian. Be sure to observe proper fire safety practices. 

  2. First, place some sand in a mound shape on top of your workspace. 

  3. Dig a small hole into the pile of sand.

  4. Mix the baking soda and sugar together, then pour it on top of the sand into the small hole. 

  5. Pour some of the lighter fluid on top and use a lighter to light the mound and create your sugar snake. 

Think Like A Scientist:

  1. What do you observe?

  2. Do you see the sugar turning black and chalk-like?

  3. Why do you think it had this reaction?

  4. Did you notice the “fire snake” swelling or growing? When did it stop growing?

How It Works:

As the sugar burns, the baking soda and sugar mix is broken down. The carbon that is within the sugar then reacts with the oxygen in the air, forming carbon dioxide. So with our experiment, when the carbon dioxide is released the CO2 gas limits the amount of oxygen around the sugar, creating a pressure build-up. This force is what causes the burning sugar to move like a slithering snake. 

Activity Worksheets

Follow along with these free, printable worksheets!

Looking for more fun at home STEM activities for your young scientist? Check out our workbook full of exciting science experiments and empowering activities! 

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