Tree Frog Treks

posted by Tree Frog Treks! on Feb 2

This week students will learn all about acids and bases. Acids and bases are everywhere including liquids you drink, fruits, and even in your body. Scientists use something called the “pH” scale to measure how acidic or basic a liquid is. The scale goes from “0″ to “14″ with 7 being neutral (distilled water is an example). Acids typically range between “0″ and “7″ and bases range from “7″ to “14.”

Here are some common bases: baking soda, borax, ammonia
Here are some common acids: vinegar, lemon juice, battery acid

Let’s make some “Invisible Ink!”
Materials
Baking soda
Small containers
Q-tips, toothpicks, or small brushes
Paint brush
Grape juice
white paper

Instructions
1) Mix about 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of water.
2) Write using a q-tip, toothpick, or brush on a piece of paper.
3) Let it dry completely (the ink must dry completely before the message is revealed).
4) To read the secret message, paint grape juice concentrate across the paper with a paint brush or a sponge. Don’t forget grape juice stains.

Why does this work? Grape juice has an acid that reacts with the baking soda. A different color appears where ever the secret message is written.

posted by Tree Frog Treks! on Jan 5

This week many of the children receiving Tree Frog Treks visits in their schools will be learning about heat. Heat is a form of energy. When you sit close to a fire and feel its warmth, you are feeling the energy of the molecules that escaped the fire and bounded into the air molecules. The molecules then got heated up and bounced into your skin, jiggling and shaking the molecules of your body.

Tree Frog Treks students will also learn about endothermic and exothermic reactions. Endothermic reactions absorb energy in the form of heat, and feel cold to the touch. Exothermic reactions release energy in the form of heat, and feel hot.

Watch the videos below to learn more about hot and cold reactions: