Any average citizen with an interest in science can make valuable contributions to science through the collection of data and by sharing this data with scientist who can analyze and process.  

The chemical equation resulting from the butane gas combustion is C4H10 + 132O2 è 4CO2 + 5H2O The Combustion is an exothermic chemical reaction between a substance (fuel) and a gas (combustion), usually oxygen, creating, in this particular case, the formation of carbon dioxide and water.

Chocolate M&Ms are covered by a layer of sugar and food colouring. When put into the water, the sugar gradually melts taking with it a certain amount of colouring which, in its turn, is also soluble in water. The sugar flows in the water from areas with a high concentration of sugar to areas with a lower concentration. At some point, the colours do not not mix anymore! A possible explanation is that in the border area between then, the sugar concentration is almost the same, diminishing the tendency of both the sugar and colouring flux.

Making soap bubbles makes any outdoor activity much funnier – specially if there is a smooth breeze to take them to the sky. The size of both the soap bubbles or the huge tubes depends on the used materials as well on the students’ expertise. The soap bubbles have no colour, but their amazing structure and the light properties make visible a complete rainbow. The outer surface that keeps the air inside is a thin water sheet isolated between two thin layers of soap molecules. It’s the way the light interacts with these layers that creates the colours we can see.

Characterisation of images obtained from flat and curved mirrors.

Decomposition of the white light and identification of the primary and secondary colours of the light. 

Having as background the Aveiro saltpans and all the procedure for obtaining salt from them (evaporation of water), an experience was planned in order to study the effect of solar radiation on the evaporation rate. A saltpan was simulated in the lab, prepared in a dark room (without natural sunlight), and, with a floodlight, we simulated the sun. We varied the angle of incidence of the radiation in the saltpan and then we measured the temperature as well as the range of mass of the saltpan during a certain hiatus of incidence of the floodlight. In order to study the water evaporation rate with and without wind, a fan was used.  

Adjective. not lasting, enduring, or permanent; lasting only a short time; existing briefly. Philosophy. person or thing that is transient, especially a temporary guest, boarder, laborer, or the like. Electricity. a sudden pulse of voltage or current

Fidget spinners work because there is a bearing in the centre. This is a good example of conservation of angular momentum, essentially the thing will keep spinning until there is an external moment, this is provided by the friction between the two rings. Ball bearings in between the two rings mean that as small as possible surface is touching between the two rotating rings, meaning friction is as low as possible. Skateboards, rollerblades, bikes and cars are all designed to waste as little as possible energy as heat and sound during friction between the axle and the wheel.

A fun, engaging and interactive program that introduces kids to the fascinating world of civil engineering through experimenting with various building materials and the effect of forces and loads on buildings they design themselves. Kids are exposed to various types of bridges and why they are essential. Kids design and build their own bridges, considering forces, loads, durability, and budget.