Mad Science Monday: It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Got rain? We do! I just finished setting up our front yard and play garden (and you can check out tomorrow's post for more about that!) in time for four days of a rainy forecast and cooler temperatures. No problem! We can dress in a few extra layers and some waterproof gear for some mud pies, puddle jumping, worm hunting and, of course, science and art. Science and art, you ask? Why, yes! Rain Art is, in fact, one of my favorite science activities to demonstrate and perform with children and is a wonderfully easy-to-set-up-and-execute rainy day fix. So grab your rain gear, some paper and a selection of washable markers; it may be raining out, but it's still Mad Science Monday!

Rain Art Science Experiment

For the sake of this experiment, I will include instructions for both a basic set-up and an advanced version with extension activities. Materials for the advanced version will be in italics.

You Will Need:

• white paper (watercolor paper or construction paper are thicker and may be a better candidate for this soggy activity!) you can also use blank canvas or experiment with different types of paper
• washable markers
• Mr. Sketch markers or non-washable magic markers
• permanent markers
• rubbing alcohol, a spray bottle, pipettes
• rain!

Instructions:

Have your child(ren) color a picture on their paper. While they are working, explain that you will be seeing what happens when a piece of artwork colored in washable markers is left in the rain. Ask them to make predictions? What does washable mean? How do we clean marker off of our hands or work surface? If your artist is particularly attached to his/her work, you will want to prepare him/her for the fact that the picture will change in the rain! Your young artist may wish to make a second picture that will not be left in the rain. When you are done drawing and doodling, it's time to set your work out in the rain. You can rest it directly on pavement or set it on a plastic tray or mat. Perhaps this a good time to take a duck waddle around the block or a little puddle jump. You will not want to leave your artwork too long or you will return to very clean canvas/paper if there is a lot of rain! Observe the results together. What happened and why?

To extend this experiment into the advanced version, you may wish to test a variety of different types of markers. Remember--to conduct a proper science experiment, you will want to change only one element each time. Choose one type of paper and a few types of markers, coloring with one type on each paper. Perhaps you will try washable, Mr. Sketch/magic markers and permanent markers. (If you are concerned about young children with permanent marker you might want to eliminate this one or provide careful supervision). Place your test subjects in the rain and see which markers change in water and which do not. Why is this so? If you used permanent marker, you can talk about what the word "permanent" means. Alternatively you can test the same type of marker on different types of paper or background mediums. How does washable marker left in the rain differ between printer paper, construction paper, watercolor paper, fabric, canvas...?

As a further extension activity with permanent marker artwork, you can talk about what does get permanent marker off! (This is a good add-on activity if you used permanent marker and now have colorful hands upon you!) You will need rubbing alcohol and a spray bottle and/or pipettes for this part. Experiment with spraying and dropping rubbing alcohol onto your permanent marker artwork and observe what happens to the colors. What do you think might work to get permanent marker off other surfaces where it is unwanted?

Hope the rain hasn't got you down this Monday and that you'll join us next time for a peek OUTSIDE in our play garden. Until then...happy experimenting!

Washable markers...

Mr. Sketch markers...

You can journal about your scientific process as well if you'd like!