Convection Spinner

I had one more experiment I wanted to share from The Usborne Book of Science Experiments, before moving on in our summer parade of children's science books. I'm still hoping to put together a top 10 recommendation list. And, the children have agreed, they would like to pick their favorite of the top 10, to work through every experiment, as a part of their science curriculum, this year.

The Usborne Book will not make it onto our list, however - not because it's poorly written, or because the experiments are unworkable, but because the experiments were too difficult for the children to perform alone (even my 9-13 year olds, who seem to be the target audience). And, the format failed to draw them in, and really excite them. But, looking through the book, with an adult eye, there are enough interesting activities, to give this one, at least an honorable mention.



It does have some very cool experiments - such as a convection spinner, which is like a convection snake...



...but instead of using the heat from a candle, it is turned, just with the heat from your hand.


It is exciting to watch the propeller slowly, begin to spin, seemingly, on it's own. The book has a template for the propeller, which can be traced, and cutout.

The line across the middle, is a crease line. You fold, and unfold the paper, to make the crease, and then balance it on a pencil, held in your fist. That's where the difficult part came in. T, managed to balance the paper just long enough for me to take the picture, but not long enough to get the paper to spin.

I managed to get it to spin, and the children were awed, but disappointed they couldn't do it themselves. So, I'd say, there are some fun science demonstration ideas in this book, that your kids will enjoy watching, but they will need help with most of them.

It's great to be a homeschooler.