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PSPKK12

Glow Stick Science: Chemical Reaction Lab

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Most kids love glow-in the dark things. Using glow sticks, you can set up a science demonstration lab that shows children how chemical reactions work, and teaches them about the light spectrum at the same time. Since glow sticks do use chemicals, it is not recommended to let the kids touch any of the glow liquid. However, the glow stick science demonstration can effectively illustrate several scientific concepts that will teach more about light, chemical reactions, and energy.

3 cups on a table in the dark with glowing liquid inside

Getting the Glow Stick Science Experiment Ready

Kids can learn about the chemical properties of glow sticks and how they create glowing light in the glow stick science lab.

The set up for this experiment is a bit tricky and should only be done by a teacher. You will need:

  • 3 colors of glow sticks: yellow, blue, and pink (we found jumbo glow sticks worked best)
  • 6 small glass containers
  • 1 plastic tray
  • Paper towels
  • Knife
  • Mesh colander
  • Latex gloves
  • Safety goggles

Label two jars with each color name (so two pinks, two yellows, etc.). Put on your gloves and safety goggles.

Carefully cut open the top of each glow stick with a knife.

Pour the liquid into one container labeled with that color.

Kids can learn about the chemical properties of glow sticks and how they create glowing light in the glow stick science lab.

Rinse out the inside of the glow stick with water and the glass rod inside the stick.

Carefully break open the glass tube inside the plastic tube and pour the center liquid into the other container labeled with that color’s name. Make sure you’re not getting any glass shards into the containers, which you can prevent by using a mesh colander.

Kids can learn about the chemical properties of glow sticks and how they create glowing light in the glow stick science lab.

Repeat this process for each glow stick. If you don’t rinse the tubes well enough, the chemicals will start to react before you’re ready to start the demonstration. So it is important to make sure they are clean before opening the center rod.

We used three glow sticks per color, but the more you open, the more liquid you will have to illustrate the science lesson.

Glow Stick Science Experiment Safety

The chemicals in glow sticks are non-toxic. However, they are extremely bitter to taste and should not be handled by children. When doing this science demonstration, it is recommended to wear latex gloves, wear safety goggles, and only allow teachers or parents to handle the glow stick fluid. This will ensure maximum safety.

Doing the Glow Stick Science Experiment

Kids can learn about the chemical properties of glow sticks and how they create glowing light in the glow stick science lab.

Once all colors are out of the glow sticks, place the containers on your tray. Turn off the lights and show the kids how the fluids are not yet reacting and are not glowing at all.

Carefully pour the two liquids together, one color at a time. Kids will love how quickly the solution starts to glow. At this point, you can talk about why the liquid lights up and what chemical properties are causing this interesting and colorful reaction.

Kids can learn about the chemical properties of glow sticks and how they create glowing light in the glow stick science lab.

After all colors are mixed, show the kids how when you mix all of the colors, the combined liquid starts to give off a white light. This is because the colors start reflecting all light frequencies, so individual color is no longer visible.

Kids can learn about the chemical properties of glow sticks and how they create glowing light in the glow stick science lab.

The Science Behind Glow Sticks

Kids can learn about the chemical properties of glow sticks and how they create glowing light in the glow stick science lab.

Glow sticks contain two sets of chemicals that when combined, create a chemical reaction called Chemiluminescence.

In the outer part of the glow stick, a combination of phenyl oxalate ester and fluorescent dye are used. Inside the glass tube, a combination of hydrogen peroxide and a phthalate ester solvent are mixed. When the two chemicals are mixed, they create a chemical reaction that causes oxygen atoms to move around quickly, which creates an unstable compound that gives off energy. The extra energy from the mixture causes the dyed molecules to move faster, creating a glowing effect.

When the three colors of dye are mixed, they reflect all light, creating a “white light” effect.

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Filed Under: Experiments Tagged With: First Grade, Kindergarten, Science

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Reader Interactions

30 Comments

  1. Angela

    February 14, 2019 at 1:54 pm

    What size glow stick did you use?
    Thank you

    Reply to this comment
    • Jennifer Hamilton

      February 28, 2019 at 9:04 pm

      Hi there Angela, they are the jumbo size. You can find them here http://amzn.to/2qcg0Rr Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply to this comment
  2. Kelly

    September 4, 2020 at 7:33 am

    I found you on Pinterest and was interested in the science activities however when trying to read you have a bar on the side to encourage people (I guess) to follow you on social media and it’s in the way to read the article. There is honestly a 1” spot you need to gently scroll to read the article. It just became too distracting and I gave up.

    Reply to this comment
  3. Amarii

    March 25, 2021 at 10:19 am

    Hai I’m doing this for my science project and I need a if then Hypothesis for this..

    Reply to this comment
    • Emmy

      April 19, 2021 at 5:04 pm

      Yeah me too! Can we say will the thin glowsticks have the same effect as the thick glowsticks? Maybe

      Reply to this comment
    • Dooku124

      May 13, 2021 at 10:15 pm

      Same! Please tell meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee before i unsubscribe to Mr Beast. Mr. Beast 6000 ohoooohohohohooh.

      Reply to this comment
      • Enjoy

        March 15, 2022 at 12:13 am

        ReverseSteve.com

        Reply to this comment
  4. Christinia Nellem

    April 24, 2022 at 6:15 pm

    you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?

    Reply to this comment

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