This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Green Works. The opinions and text are all mine.
Spark your child’s creativity with this lemon battery science experiment. Girls and boys alike can flourish when provided with STEM projects through the StemBox subscription, powered by Green Works.
After growing up in a decade when female scientists were still women in a man’s world and a teacher in space was breaking news, I am so glad that my daughter’s education is not limited by her gender.I went to schools where boys were expected to do better in math and science while girls should maintain a moderate grade in language arts.
I distinctly remember my fourth grade teacher making fun of me because I was smart and had to go to the 5th grade classroom for math and reading. My 6th grade language arts teacher made fun of my handwriting. My logical mind did not fit.
Even though science and math are not just for boys anymore, a gender gap still exists.
- Only 20% of those graduating college with degrees in STEM-related studies are female. [SOURCE]
- According to Green Works, only 1 in every 1,000 women pursue STEM careers. [SOURCE]
- Only 24% of scientists and engineers are women. [SOURCE]
Despite the huge gap in the STEM workforce, “Women in STEM jobs earn 33 percent more than those in non-STEM occupations and experience a smaller wage gap relative to men.” [SOURCE]
Now more than ever, we need to encourage our girls who have a passion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to grow creatively through hands-on projects like those available in the StemBox monthly subscription.
Lemon Battery Project
When we opened the StemBox for March, I was not sure how my girls (ages 12 and 5) would react because I have never seen them actively interested in STEM projects. I was in for a huge shock.
Each month’s StemBox, designed for girls ages 7 to 13, contains the necessary components to complete a STEM experiment so you do not need to locate the individual pieces.
Also, in our box we received enough parts for two children to complete the project simultaneously, making it a fun idea for a girls slumber party or play date.
For the lemon battery, you will need:
- LED Bulb
- 4 Lemons (not included in the StemBox)
- Alligator Clips
- Zinc Nails
- Copper Wire
- Goggles
- Gloves
- Instructions Page
- Pin
- Green Works Wipes
- Mini Clock
- Sheet
- STEM Sticker
Set up at our dining room table with my laptop, we watched the YouTube tutorial for the Lemon Battery Project.
The video made it easy to follow the steps, inserting the nail into one end of each lemon and the copper wire into the other. Then attaching the alligator clips to complete the current.
In order to save time on the video, some of the longer steps are completed quickly. When the steps require a little more time, you are prompted to pause the video to complete the step.
And after all of the steps were finished, we paused the video and… My girls were disappointed when the LED light did not come on.
{Sigh} But then we pressed play to complete the video.
Imagine my relief when the ladies in the video mentioned that when the LED light does not come on, the connections should be reversed.
THE LIGHT IS ON!
See her face?
The wonder!
The spark of imagination!
The beginning of a love for science!
Wouldn’t you love to see this same enthusiasm for learning in your child?
>>Start your StemBox Subscription.<<
The StemBox also includes a few extra goodies like a collectable pin, sticker, and an additional item for experimenting. In this box, we received a mini fruit clock. When plugged into a lemon, it works!
To review the scientific terms related to the lemon battery project, my daughter read the instruction card. She was so excited to relate the terms electrolyte, anode, and cathode to what she had previously learned in science class. I think more connections were made in her mind than were made between the lemons.
She had to show the boys how the lemon battery worked and explained the entire process without looking at the instruction card. Her excitement bubbled over into the other kids as each one wanted to see the LED turn on and off by connecting and disconnecting the circuit.
Then, when the project was done and everyone was content, it was time to clean up.
I do not feel apprehensive about letting my children use cleaning products by Green Works as I do with other cleaners because they use naturally derived ingredients and do not leave a harsh chemical residue.
Plus, these time-saving wipes are compostable, making them better for our environment.
Find Green Works on all your favorite social media sites!
Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram
Be sure to share your StemBox pictures with hashtag #StemBox.
Have a STEM activity girls will love? Use #NaturalPotential.
More Lemon Battery Experiment Ideas
Keep the STEM-love going by adding these supplemental projects:
- Try other fruits and vegetables to see if they also create an electrical charge.
- Test the acidity of the lemon versus other citrus fruits using litmus paper.
- Add lemons and take away lemons to see if the strength grows or decreases.
- Multiple LED lights are included. Test to see how many LED lights will work on a single circuit.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Green Works . The opinions and text are all mine.
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