Stem Week Day 2

STEM Day 2 – Teacher Instructions

Make the Blue “Medicine”

Objective: To help the Kingdom of Majestica’s bioengineers create a blue “medicine” to cure the tickle bug using all four different elements included. The goal is to reach the color of #9 on the pH chart. This project will be completed as a class with either the teacher only, or a few helpers.

Items included in kit:

• 4 18oz disposable cups
• 2 pipettes
• 1 popsicle stick
• 3 small spoons
• 3 vinyl gloves
• 1 bag with red cabbage powder (labeled "R.C.")
• 1 antacid tablet (labeled "A")
• 1 4oz cup with vinegar (labeled "V")
• 1 4oz cup with washing soda (labeled "W.S.")
• pH chart

Prior to beginning, please mix (with the included popsicle stick) red cabbage powder (“R.C”) with approximately ¾ of an 18oz cup of tap water (do not use bottled water). This liquid will be your starting base for creating the blue “medicine”. For each attempt, pour about 1” of red cabbage water in a clean cup, using the small spoons to scoop out the powders (crush or break the antacid tablet), and the pipettes for the liquid. You may want to first show what reaction/color happens with each of the four “medicine” elements (baking soda alone is really close to the target color). The ultimate goal is to find a mixture of the four elements (antacid, vinegar, washing soda, and baking soda) that is close to the blue of the #9 on the included pH chart, a blue with a slight turquoise color. When finished, all mixed liquids can safely be poured down the drain. 

Good luck and have fun!

Click here for the Day 2 video