GDGS: My 1st Day at Camp

This week I went to a science camp, called "Cranbrook Science Explorers." This is what my first day was like. 

First, my DAD had to sign me in. Not my mom.  My Dad. Then I found my friends, Daniel and Zack: I had no idea they were going there! I was really happy. 

So we went to play a game. I can't remember what it was though. I do remember that it was really fun! But on to the topic, what you have been waiting for (I think): 

Acids and Bases!

I learned that there are these pieces of paper that are universal indicators. A universal indicator says how acidic or basic (get it?) things are.  At that one we actually tested out some acids and bases.  Of course the volunteer who brought the acids couldn't get anything higher than ketchup and vinegar. Otherwise, he would have burned his skin! Ouch!  

We put the universal indicator strips into things.  Did you know that water is one of the few things that is neutral--7 out of 14 on an indicator. I think air is also.  The most acidic was ketchup and vinegar.  

After that, we got to actually do some painting, but not painting.  There was another paper that turned red when a base hit it and the acid, when put on the base, evens it out more.  So we drew stuff on it with the base, using Q-tips. And then trace over it with the acid (vinegar). I discovered that the acid didn't even everything out. You had to dip the Q-tip frequently in the acid.   

We also did a lemon juice trick.  Lemon juice can be used to write letters. Then when the lemon juice dries, the letters disappear.  It takes a while for the lemon juice to dry.  When it dries, the letters have disappeared.  When you hold the paper up to a light bulb, or candle, the letters will appear (the sun does not work). So if you want to write a secret letter to someone, you can write your note in lemon juice, wait for it to dry, then no one can see what you wrote until they hold it up to the light. Isn't that awesome?

Before lunch, we played a game outside called Acids and Bases.  The person who was the acid had to touch the person who was the base.  If an acid touches the base, the people have to switch being an acid and a base.  The other players had to link elbows (only two people could link elbows) and then the base could attach onto the other elbow.  Then the person on the other side could become the base. 

We played another game in the afternoon and then went swimming.  It was a great day! 

by GDGS

Note that there are no pictures because Mom and Dad weren't there.