Cloud In A Jar Activity

Cloud in a Jar

Have you ever wanted to see a cloud close-up? Don’t want to wait for a foggy day? Try out this experiment to make a cloud in a jar.

Activity Type:

Experiment, Citizen Science

Suggested Age:

6 to 9-years old

What you will need:

• Warm water

• Jar with a lid

• Ice cubes

• Aerosol hairspray (dry shampoo also works)

• Kettle or measuring cup (to heat water in the microwave)

What you do:

• Pour warm water (not boiling) into jar and swirl water around to warm up the inside of the entire jar.

• Turn the lid upside down and place several ice cubes on top of it. Rest the lid on top of the jar with the ice cubes facing up towards you (not inside the jar).

• Quickly remove the lid and give a quick spray of aerosol hairspray into the jar. Replace the lid as before.

• Remove the lid and watch the cloud escape!

Explanation:

Clouds are formed when there are three things present: moist and warm air, a cooling process, and small dust particle or nuclei for the cloud to condense around.

By pouring warm water into a jar and trapping it, you create the first ingredient: warm, moist air. This warm air rises and meets with the cool air at the top of the jar which is made by the ice cubes. The aerosol hairspray provides the cloud condensation nuclei, simulating a dust particle.

As the water vapor inside the jar cools, it begins to form around the hairspray nuclei into many droplets.

When you remove the lid, the swirling cloud is released!

Taking it further:

Try different types of dust particles in this experiment. Does air freshener make a different cloud than hairspray? What other ways can you make dust in the jar?

Discover different types of clouds! Look out your window each day and draw the shapes and colours of clouds you see. Observe the differences between clouds, and notice the clouds that result in precipitation.

Gather data for GLOBE Observer and become a citizen scientist. By observing clouds and using simple photography, compare your observations with NASA satellite images to provide a different perspective of clouds.

SSCTV - Tornadoes and Cloud

SSCTV is back with a new episode!

Jesse explores the science of tornadoes, while Sally Science tackles a question about clouds!

Have a question for Sally Science? Send a video to rholota@sasksciencecentre.com

Want your very own tornado tube? Pick up an At-Home-Experiment Kit from the Atom + Gekk Science Shop!

Want to see all the great Atom + Geek Gift Shop items, with free next business day delivery? Shop here!

#SaskScienceCentre #AtHomeWithCASC #ScienceChampions #ScienceAtHome #realsciencerealfun #seeyqr #exploresask #supportlocal #supportlocalyqr

Create A Nature Journal

Journaling is a great way to deal with anxiety, develop your creativity, and bring moments of joy into your day. Combine that with a walk in your neighbourhood, bird-watching, and enjoying all that nature brings us is a perfect inspiration for starting a nature journal.

In her book, Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness (Buy Online), author Ingrid Fetell Lee explored questions like “Have you ever wondered why we stop to watch the glow that arrives before sunset or why we flock to see cherry blossoms in spring? Through research and interviews she found strong evidence of the connection between access to nature and positive health benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety.”

“Natural settings literally make us more carefree.”

— Ingrid Fetell Lee

Creating a nature journal provides the benefits of journaling and exploring nature all in one.

What You’ll Need

A notebook and pen or pencil. Add art supplies as you need them.

What To Include In Your Journal

Start with a journey outside and experience nature in your own backyard or neighbourhood. Think about what you see, hear, and feel, and write about it in your journal. List the birds, insects, and trees you discover. You might choose to add a drawing, include poetry, or insert photos of a favourite place you like to visit. The possibilities are endless. Be creative!

Handy Resources

Download this bird identification card to discover some of interesting birds commonly found in Wascana Marsh. There are plenty of apps available to download that will assist you in identify species of wildlife you are likely going to see. We suggest iNaturalist. Not only does it provide photos and information about wildlife in your community it also allows you to record your observations directly into the app.

Inspiration For Your Nature Journal

Not sure how to add some innovative elements to your journal? Here’s some ideas the SSC Online team contributed.

Sandy was inspired by this poem:

there is

nothing left

to worry about

the sun and flowers are here

-rupi kaur

Lisa created this watercolour print of a Magpie.

Lisa Watercolor Painting

Carolyn shared these beautiful journal entries.

Carolyn Journal Page 1

Carolyn Journal 2

Vandana’s son wanted to be a part of the journal. Here’s one of his pieces.

Vandana’s Son Journal Entry

We hope this inspires your to enjoy the natural world and start your own nature journal. Share your thoughts, comments, and creative responses below!

SSC Interview - Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre

Hello science fans!

We have teamed up with a very special guest to bring you this educational interview! One of our staff, Gabby Lorge, used to be a summer student at the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre (SBOIC). In this video, Gabby interviews her former boss and friend, Lori Johnson. Lori introduces us to Cricket, one of the Burrowing Owls that lives at the SBOIC!

Lori has worked as the Owl Coordinator at the Centre since 2010 so she knows everything and anything about owls. Her passion for them is contagious. Catch the love for these adorable creatures and learn about them with us in a unique way!

What is the SBOIC?

The Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre (SBOIC) first opened its doors to the public in July 1997. Ever since then the Centre has been dedicated to raising public awareness about Canada’s endangered species, specifically, the Burrowing Owl and their prairie habitat.

SBOIC is a non-profit organization and their work is funded entirely by public donations and grants. The Centre’s mandate is to promote conservation through education, eco-tourism and stewardship. They do this through in-house tours and displays as well as a traveling component known as Owls on Tour. This educational programming is highlighted by the involvement of several hand-raised, imprinted Burrowing Owls as well as a small group of wild, non-releasable owls that are part of their permanent collection!

Links:

Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre

SSCTV - Animals And Ecosystems

Welcome to the latest episode of Sask Science Centre TV!

Learn about skulls and teeth (and what scientists can learn from them) with Jesse, explore the element Calcium with Tommy Tungsten, and Sally Science answers a great question from Luke!

Do you have a question for Sally Science? Send it to rholota@sasksciencecentre.com - include a video if you'd like!