My Volunteering Opportunity at UTeach

Over the summer I reached out to numerous science themed summer camps to hopefully help out with. Sadly I only received a single response, but luckily it was for a summer camp hosted by UT. Over the course of a couple weeks I created a presentation and prepared three safe experiments that the kids could possibly go home and do that day. I learned a lot about myself from this experience and about how I liked teaching.

The Experiments

  • Red Cabbage pH Indicator

    I showed the kids at UTeach how to make a pH indicator out of red cabbage and water. You just blend some red cabbage leaves in hot water and after straining you’re left with a color changing solution. Solution changes color based on the pH because of the anthocyanin in the red cabbage.

  • Colorful Magic Milk

    The second experiment I showed to the kids was an experiment with just milk, food dye, a q-tip, and some dish soap. When the dish soap soaked q-tip comes into contact with the milk all the food dye mixes and makes cool rainbow patterns. I passed out plates and each kid got to do the experiment.

  • At Home Electrolysis

    For the last experiment I showed the kids how to perform a safe electrolysis reaction at home with just two spoons, a 9volt battery, and a solution of salt water. I grabbed a volunteer to help hold the battery to the spoons while I held the spoons themselves to show it was safe. When the battery came into contact with the spoons gas was released forming a lot of bubbles which intrigued all the kids.

The Slideshow I Presented