Summer "Science" #3

Last week's science day was interrupted by a dentist appointment so we kept it short and simple.

It all started when FFM got a new bike accessory...

and while it's heaps 'o fun it takes A LOT of chalk. And of course it takes it's own special size of chalk. We looked up some homemade chalk recipes online and started saving paper tubes for molds. On project day the weather was a bit blustery so we took our project to the laundry room in case it got messy.

 First we lined the tubes with squares of wax paper. This is supposed to make it easier to get the finished chalk sticks out.

 Then we mixed plaster of paris with tempera paints and some water until it was smooth and easy to pour.

 Finally, the only part that got a little tricky, we poured into our molds that we'd set up on a cookie sheet lined with foil for easy clean up. Since we mixed in an old bowl that didn't have a lip it was challenging pouring into the tops of the tubes.

We're still waiting for it to dry, the plaster/chalk set very quickly but we can tell that it isn't all the way cured because some of the paper tubes are damp at the bottom. I'd guess another day or two and they'll be all set to strap into the Chalktrail and color up the streets around our house.