Science Experiments for 12 Year Olds
by Mike Levin
Friday, March 10, 2023Which of these experiments is best for a 12 year old to conduct: - Two-slit experiment - Cloud chamber - Brownian motion - Mendel’s pea plant experiment - Extract DNA - Boyle’s air pump - Baking soda and vinegar reaction - Meissner effect - Black snake - Time crystal
Hello, this is Bing. I’m happy to help you find some experiments for a 12 year old to conduct.😊
Based on my web search, some of the experiments you listed are more suitable for older students or require special equipment or materials that may not be easily available at home². For example, the two-slit experiment requires a laser pointer and a thin slit², the cloud chamber requires dry ice and alcohol², and the Meissner effect requires a superconductor and liquid nitrogen².
Some of the experiments you listed are more appropriate for younger children or are very common and may not be very challenging or interesting for a 12 year old. For example, the baking soda and vinegar reaction is a classic experiment that many kids have done before⁴, and extracting DNA from strawberries can be done by kids as young as 5⁵.
Some of the experiments you listed are very advanced or controversial and may not be feasible or ethical to conduct at home. For example, Mendel’s pea plant experiment involves cross-breeding plants over several generations², which takes a lot of time and space. The time crystal experiment involves creating a new state of matter that breaks time symmetry², which is still debated by physicists.
The only experiment you listed that seems suitable for a 12 year old is the Brownian motion experiment, which involves observing how tiny particles move randomly in water due to collisions with molecules². This can be done with a microscope, some water, and some pollen grains or other fine dust.
However, there are many other experiments that you can try with your 12 year old that are fun, easy, and educational. Here are some examples from my web search:
- Explore static electricity with balloons, bending water, and electrifying gelatin ³.
- Make your own electric toothbrush using a battery-operated motor ³.
- Make your own (temporary) lava lamp using water, oil, food coloring, and antacid tablets ⁴.
- Model a rainstorm in a glass using water, shaving cream, food coloring ⁵.
- Make your own snow fluff using shaving cream and cornstarch ⁵.
I hope this helps you find some exciting experiments for your 12 year old. What kind of science topics are they interested in?
Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/10/2023
(1) 18 of the Best 12th Grade Science Projects and Experiments. https://www.theedadvocate.org/18-of-the-best-12th-grade-science-projects-and-experiments/ Accessed 3/10/2023.
(2) 37 Cool Science Experiments for Kids to Do at Home - PrepScholar. https://blog.prepscholar.com/easy-science-experiments-for-kids-at-home Accessed 3/10/2023.
(3) Science Experiments for Kids:. https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/experiments/ Accessed 3/10/2023.
(4) 15 Awesome Science Experiments For Older Kids - Lemon Lime Adventures. https://lemonlimeadventures.com/awesome-science-experiments-for-older-kids/ Accessed 3/10/2023.
(5) 15 Awesome Science Experiments For Older Kids - Lemon Lime Adventures. https://lemonlimeadventures.com/awesome-science-experiments-for-older-kids/ Accessed 3/10/2023.
(6) 100 Easy Science Experiments for Kids to do at Home (2023). https://www.mkewithkids.com/post/here-are-two-weeks-worth-of-fun-and-easy-science-experiments/ Accessed 3/10/2023.
What are more cool science toys like putt putt boats?
There are many cool science toys that you can enjoy and learn from. Some examples are:
- A telescope that lets you explore the stars and planets¹².
- A snap circuit kit that teaches you about electricity and electronics¹².
- A stomp rocket that demonstrates physics and aerodynamics¹.
- A chemistry set that allows you to perform experiments with different chemicals¹⁴.
- A bubble science kit that shows you how bubbles form and behave¹.
- An interactive human body model that reveals how your organs work¹².
Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/11/2023
(1) The 15 Best Science Toys of 2023 - The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/best-science-toys-4150533 Accessed 3/11/2023.
(2) The 15 Best Science Toys of 2023 - The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/best-science-toys-4150533 Accessed 3/11/2023.
(3) Best science toys to buy in 2023 | BBC Science Focus Magazine. https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/best-science-toys/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(4) The 10 Best Science Toys in 2023 — Educational Toys for Kids. https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/g38279723/best-science-toys/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(5) Amazon.com: Science Toys. https://www.amazon.com/science-toys/s?k=science+toys Accessed 3/11/2023.
These are great. I want to make an exhaustive list of kid’s science toys. Let’s get started.
I want it to be according to coolness and its ability to really demonstrate a science principle. Levitron tops that levitate would be one of the coolest examples. Iron filings in a sealed oil frame to use with magnets is very cool.
I see. So you want to rank the science toys by how cool they are and how well they demonstrate a science principle. That sounds like a fun and challenging task.😊
Levitron tops are indeed very cool. They are spinning tops that can levitate in mid-air using magnetic forces⁵. They come in different types and sizes, such as ceramic tops and rare-earth tops¹. They demonstrate the principle of spin-stabilized magnetic levitation, which requires a delicate balance of gravity, magnetism, and angular momentum²⁵.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/11/2023
(1) Levitron - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levitron Accessed 3/11/2023.
(2) Spin-Stabilized Levitron Products – LEVITRON CENTRAL. https://levitationarts.com/spin-stabilized-levitron-products/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(3) Levitron -- Spin stabilized magnetic levitation. https://www.physics.ucla.edu/marty/levitron/levitaj.html Accessed 3/11/2023.
(4) Super Levitron Top – LEVITRON CENTRAL - levitationarts.com. https://levitationarts.com/product/super-levitron-top/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(5) Levitron Levitating toys - Science Toy Store. http://www.sciencetoystore.com/contents/en-us/d30_Levitron.html Accessed 3/11/2023.
(6) Classic Levitron Top – LEVITRON CENTRAL - levitationarts.com. https://levitationarts.com/product/the-classic-levitron-top/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
So list other science toys that are as cool as the Levitron. I want to make a really cool science lab for my 12 year old.
That sounds like a wonderful idea.😊 A cool science lab for your 12 year old would be a great way to inspire them to learn more about science and have fun at the same time.
Some other science toys that are as cool as the Levitron are:
- A snap-together electronic building block set that allows your child to experiment with various circuits filled with colorful lights as they learn the basics of electronics¹².
- A stretchy thinking putty that teaches about polymers and changes color with temperature or light³.
- A medical kit that is perfect for future doctors and lets them explore human anatomy and physiology³.
- A crystal geode kit that lets them grow their own sparkling crystals and learn about geology³.
- An electricity and magnetism kit that demonstrates various phenomena such as electromagnetism, electric motors, generators, and more⁴.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/11/2023
(1) Best STEM Toys For 12 Year Olds: Engineering, Science & Coding - STEM Geek. https://stemgeek.com/best-stem-toys-for-12-year-olds/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(2) Best STEM Toys For 12 Year Olds: Engineering, Science & Coding - STEM Geek. https://stemgeek.com/best-stem-toys-for-12-year-olds/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(3) Best Science Gifts for 11, 12 and 13 Year Olds | HST - Home Science Tools. https://www.homesciencetools.com/science-gifts/gifts-by-age/kids-11-13/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(4) Amazon.com: Science Kits For 12 Year Olds: Toys & Games. https://www.amazon.com/science-kits-12-year-olds/s?k=science+kits+for+12+year+olds&rh=n%3A165793011 Accessed 3/11/2023.
These are great. List a few more. Sent message. These are great. List a few more.
I’m glad you like them.😊 Here are a few more cool science toys for your 12 year old:
- A kids’ first chemistry set that lets them conduct over 100 experiments with safe and simple chemicals¹⁵.
- A bubble science kit that teaches them about the science of bubbles and how to create amazing bubble effects¹⁵.
- A snap circuits Jr. electronics discovery kit that lets them build over 100 projects with easy-to-use snap-on parts¹⁵.
- An interactive human body that lets them explore the organs and systems of the human body with a realistic model and a smart phone app¹⁵.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/11/2023
(1) The 15 Best Science Toys of 2023 - The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/best-science-toys-4150533 Accessed 3/11/2023.
(2) The 15 Best Science Toys of 2023 - The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/best-science-toys-4150533 Accessed 3/11/2023.
(3) Best STEM Toys For 12 Year Olds: Engineering, Science & Coding - STEM Geek. https://stemgeek.com/best-stem-toys-for-12-year-olds/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(4) The 10 Best Science Toys in 2023 — Educational Toys for Kids. https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/g38279723/best-science-toys/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(5) Best Science Gifts for 11, 12 and 13 Year Olds | HST - Home Science Tools. https://www.homesciencetools.com/science-gifts/gifts-by-age/kids-11-13/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
A few more.
Sure. Here are a few more cool science toys for your 12 year old:
- A Klutz LEGO chain reactions activity kit that lets them build amazing contraptions with LEGO bricks and other components¹².
- A Root RT1 iRobot coding robot that lets them learn how to code and program a smart robot with various sensors and abilities¹².
- A Be Amazing! Toys Big Bag of Science that contains over 70 activities and experiments covering various topics such as chemistry, physics, biology, and more¹².
- A CIRO STEM project 12-in-1 solar robot toys kit that lets them construct 12 different types of robots powered by solar energy¹².
Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/11/2023
(1) Best Science Gifts For 12 Year Olds 2021: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide. https://rubysgarden.com/gifts/best-science-gifts-for-12-year-olds/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(2) Best Science Gifts For 12 Year Olds 2021: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide. https://rubysgarden.com/gifts/best-science-gifts-for-12-year-olds/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(3) Best Science Gifts for 11, 12 and 13 Year Olds | HST - Home Science Tools. https://www.homesciencetools.com/science-gifts/gifts-by-age/kids-11-13/ Accessed 3/11/2023.
(4) The 15 Best Science Toys of 2023 - The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/best-science-toys-4150533 Accessed 3/11/2023.