Take out of the box:
protective plastic sheet 1 pc
protective goggles 2 pairs
beaker 1 pc
tray 1 pc
spoon 1 pc
cotton gloves 2 pcs
bubble straw 2 pcs
structural straw 12 pcs
connector 8 pcs
Petri dish 1 pc
glycerine 25 g
bubble base liquid 30 ml
There are twice as many ingredients! Make a double portion or leave the ingredients for fun later.
Prepare at home:
lukewarm water 900 ml + approx. 60 ml
In case of contact with the eye(s): wash out the affected eye with plenty of water, holding the eye open if necessary. Seek immediate medical advice.
If swallowed: wash out the mouth with water, drink some fresh water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical advice.
In case of inhalation: remove person to fresh air.
In case of skin contact and burns: wash the affected area with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes.
If in doubt, seek medical advice without delay. Take the chemical and its container with you.
In case of injury always seek medical advice.
Each SmartBee kit is intended for conducting experiments for children over 8 years of age. Because children’s abilities vary so much, even within age groups, supervising adults should exercise discretion as to which experiments are suitable and safe for their children.
Read and follow these instructions, the safety rules and the first aid information, and keep them for reference.
Be sure to thoroughly discuss the warnings and safety information with your child or children before commencing the experiments. Follow them and keep them for reference. Remember: misuse of chemicals can lead to injury or cause serious harm to health.
Carry out only those experiments that are listed in the instructions, using the equipment provided in the kit.
The area surrounding the experiment should be kept clear of any obstructions and away from the storage of food. It should be well lit and ventilated and close to a water supply.
A solid table with a heat resistant top is recommended for carrying out the experiments.
Read these instructions before use, follow them, and keep them for reference.
Keep young children, animals and those not wearing eye protection away from the experimental area.
Always wear eye protection.
Store this experimental set out of reach of children under 8 years old.
Clean all equipment after use.
Make sure that all containers are fully closed and properly stored after use.
Ensure that all empty containers are disposed of properly.
Wash hands after carrying out experiments.
Do not store foodstuffs in any container which has held a reagent. Dispose of such containers immediately after use.
Do not use any equipment which has not been supplied with the set or recommended in the instructions for use.
Do not eat or drink in the experimental area.
Do not allow chemicals to come into contact with the eyes or mouth.
Pour as much water as possible into the dish – approx. 60 ml.
Add water with a spoon; the water should stick up slightly above the top of the vessel.
Place the paperclip on the surface of the water.
- The clip sinks like a stone!
Now rest the paperclip on the edge of the dish and slide it very gently onto the surface of the water. It doesn't always work, but don't give up!
- The clip is floating on the surface of the water!
Now dip your finger in the bubble base liquid and touch the surface of the water. What happened?
The paper clip sank. But why?
Water can support a paperclip on the surface if you put it there gently, but if you throw it in the water or add detergent the paperclip sinks. It’s the same paper clip, but what’s changed?
We can say that the water surface behaves like a very thin, resilient membrane that is created because the attraction forces of the water molecules at the surface are greater than the attraction forces between the molecules in the depths of the liquid. This phenomenon is called surface tension. Thanks to this, the water surface is able to support clips, needles and other small objects.
However, detergent forms a layer on the surface of the water which disturbs the surface tension because the forces between the molecules become weaker, and this is why the paper clip sinks.
It is worth knowing that the surface tension of water is used by some insects that treat it like a trampoline, slipping and sliding across ponds and lakes without fear of drowning. Surface tension is a truly extraordinary power of nature!
The attraction force of the water molecules at the surface is greater than the same force of the molecules in the depths of the liquid. This allows water with a smooth surface to carry small objects that would otherwise sink on its surface.
Bubble potion
step by step
Pour 150 ml of water into a beaker, add half of the bottle of bubble base and one capful of glycerine. Gently stir so that there is no foam on top.
Pour the mixture into a tray and add 350 ml of water, mix.
Dip one end of the black tube into the bubble potion and pull it out of the liquid.
- Attention, watch out, wear goggles! Popping bubbles can splash into your eyes and irritate them.
Blow into the opposite hole. Shake the bubble off the straw. Did it fall off?
- Practice bubble making as mastering this skill will be necessary later.
Form a bubble on a level surface and try to blow more bubbles into it. Try to make a bubble flower.
Bubble games
step by step
Put on your cotton gloves. Thanks to them, the fun will last longer!
Play with a mini volleyball bubble. How many times can you bounce the bubble?
Set a finish line and race against a friend by bouncing your bubbles towards it.
See how many bubbles you can juggle at once?
See what others have done! Take a photo and share the result on Instagram with the hashtag #smartbeeclub!
It’s hard to wash your hands without soap, but why exactly does adding foam help?
Grease and dirt form a hydrophobic layer. Surfactants, such as dishwashing liquid and soap, dissolve in water and attract dirt particles. In this way, dirt is broken up into pieces and dispersed in water, which makes it possible to effectively wash dishes, hands and clothes.
Foam is just a lot of little bubbles. Detergent forms a thin film that traps air or lets you blow bubbles. Glycerine, on the other hand, reduces water evaporation and prolongs the life of bubbles.
Cubic bubble
step by step
Build a cube with 12 straws and 8 connectors.
Soak each of the six walls in the bubble liquid.
- Do the walls pop when touched? If so, moisten your fingers with the bubble liquid.
Shake the cube to make all the bubble walls join in the middle.
It's not an easy task, but don't give up – you'll do it!
Use a straw to blow a new bubble into the square membrane. What happened?
- You should now have a square soap bubble! Try blowing more air into it.
Look at the membranes stretching the bubble. What happens when you puncture one a them?
- The remaining surface of the liquid will stretch like a rubber band. This is the power of surface tension!
You can also use the straws to build other three-dimensional forms, such as pyramids. Find out what new shapes of bubble you can make.
A cube or pyramid is the perfect tool to blow large bubbles!
What does science have to say about this?
Air is an amazing gas and can take the shape of the object it is in. A bubble is a kind of membrane for air, just like a balloon. When the membrane is inflated, the pressure inside is higher than in the surrounding area. According to Pascal’s Law, the external pressure exerted on a liquid or gas in a closed vessel is uniformly distributed in all directions. A sphere is the most favourable shape for air, which is why air takes on a round form when under water.
And what happens when the temperature drops? Frost, some bubble liquid and a straw are enough to create a unique work of art.
Clean the workstation and wash the accessories.
Where to dispose of the substances? Pour the bubble mixture down the sink, put the straws into the plastic waste bin. There is enough bubble base and glycerine for you to make one more portion to play with.