Summer Fun STEAM Projects for Kids
Juice Pouch Rockets
- An empty juice pouch
- One flexible straw (that comes with the pouch)
- One standard straw
- Colored cardstock
- double sided tape
- Modeling clay
- Scissors
- Snip off the end of the flexible straw on an angle.
- Insert the pointed end of the straw into the straw hole of the juice pouch.
- Cut the second straw in half, to use as the body of your rocket.
- Cut three trapezoid shapes from cardstock to be the fins.
- Tape the fins on each side of the straw--be careful not to squish the straw!
- Shape a small bit of clay into a ball with a tapered end for the nose of the rocket. Add this to the top to help seal the straw. Make sure it isn't too large or your rocket may be too heavy to take off!
- inflate the pouch by blowing into the flexible straw.
- Bend the flexible straw to aim and place the rocket straw over the end.
- Squeeze the juice pouch and watch your rocket fly.
Ice Cream in a Pouch!
Make your own individual ice cream. Each member of the family can make their own special flavor!
Here's what you need to make each serving:
- A quart-sized zip-top bag
- A gallon-sized zip-top bag
- About 4 cups of ice
- 6 tbsp rock salt (table salt will do in a pinch!)
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- Your choice of other flavorings (some ideas: vanilla, mint or almond extract, fresh fruit, chocolate chips, crushed cookies)
What To Do:
- Combine half-and-half, sugar, extract, and a pinch of salt in the quart-sized bag. Seal it tight, getting all the air out.
- Add the ice and rock salt to the gallon-sized bag.
- Place the small bag of ice cream mixture into the large bag of ice, so that the ice surrounds it. Seal the large bag tightly.
- Shake, roll and knead the bag for about 5 minutes to form the ice cream.
- Grab a spoon and enjoy!
Important: the ice gets very cold. It is a good idea to wear gloves or use a dish towel to protect your hands.
The Science: The air created from inflating the juice pouch powers the rocket. The clay tip of the rocket prevents the air from escaping and your rocket has nowhere to go but up! The word pneumatic (new-mah-tick) means that something is powered by air.
The Art: Experiment with different fin and tip designs and colors. Use markers or washi tape to design your dream rocket.
The Science: Salt changes the boiling and freezing temperatures of water. When you add salt to ice cubes, it causes them to melt faster, but the resulting water is actually colder than regular ice, so your ice cream forms quickly!
The Art: Create your own ice cream flavor profiles by combining your favorites together. Give your flavor a special name!
