The Skittles Experiment

The Skittles Experiment is a fun and colourful science activity that explores the concept of solubility and how it affects the dispersal of colours. By placing Skittles candies in water, participants can observe a vibrant rainbow of colours spreading and mixing. This activity is easy to set up and provides an engaging way to learn about scientific principles.

Instructions:

1. Gather Materials:

- A plate or shallow dish

- A variety of Skittles candies in different colours

- Warm water (room temperature)

- Optional: Paper towel or napkin

2. Prepare the Setup:

- Place the plate or shallow dish on a flat surface.

- Arrange the Skittles candies in a circle around the edge of the plate. You can choose a pattern or mix the colours randomly.

3. Observe and Predict:

- Encourage participants to take a moment to observe the colours and predict what they think will happen when water is added.

4. Add Water:

- Carefully pour warm water into the centre of the plate, ensuring it reaches the Skittles but doesn't overflow.

- Note: It's important to use warm water as it helps dissolve the sugar coating on the Skittles more effectively.

5. Observe and Discuss:

- As the warm water comes into contact with the Skittles, the sugar coating dissolves, allowing the colours to spread and mix.

- Encourage participants to observe the changes and discuss what they see. They can describe how the colours move and blend together.

6. Optional: Paper Towel Experiment:

- For an additional experiment, you can place a paper towel or napkin in the centre of the plate before adding water. This can create a different effect as the colours are drawn up into the paper towel.

7. Reflect and Learn:

- After the colours have dispersed and the experiment is complete, facilitate a discussion to reinforce the science concepts:

- Talk about solubility and how it relates to the Skittles experiment.

- Discuss why warm water was used and its impact on the solubility of the sugar coating.

- Explore other questions or variations, such as using different candies or liquids to observe different outcomes.

The Skittles Experiment offers an interactive and visually appealing way to learn about solubility and colour mixing. Enjoy exploring the fascinating world of science through this delightful and tasty activity!