Pepper Experiment

To do this fun pepper experiment, you will need:

- a clear cup
- water
- pepper
- dish soap
- toothpick
- overhead projector (optional)

First, show the children the materials. Ask them "What are we going to do?"

Compile a list of possibilities on what they think will be done with them. When we did this experiment, we had everything from "Mix it all up" to "It will make candy!"

Second, ask the kids "What do you think will happen?" Again, we had a huge variety of answers from "It will blow up" to "It will make bubbles".

Try to discuss if the answers make sense or not. This is a great way to assess comprehension and prior knowledge!

Third, you are going to complete the experiment with the students.

Set the glass of water on the overhead projector. Float some pepper on the surface of the water. Dip the toothpick into the dish soap and then tap the water with the toothpick in the center of the glass. The pepper will "run" away from the soap.

To review the experiment ask "What happened?" and "Why do you think it happened?" With my students, we received amazing, well thought out answers.

I hope you try this fun experiment with your students. It is a fun and easy way to get them thinking!

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Still have questions? Contact me about using this pepper experiment in your classroom.

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