For science day we investigated soap and bubbles as we became bubbleologists for the day (or surface scientists to give it its proper name.)

We began the day by asking whether we need to use soap when we wash our hands. After preparing our volunteers with a messy mix of Vaseline and sprinkles, we investigated whether using soap and water, just water, or simply wiping with a towel would result in the cleanest hands. Soap helped and so we then learnt about how soap works.

Later, we learnt about Agnes Pockels, a German chemist who helped establish the study of liquid surfaces despite not being allowed to study science as it was considered unsuitable for women!

After that we investigated different bubble mixtures in order to discover which would produce the longest lasting bubbles. We devised our experiment and then tested whether adding sugar, salt, honey, lime juice or glycerine would produce the best bubbles.

Finally, we explored making bubbles including blowing the largest bubble, creating bubble “cities”, making different shaped bubbles and making bubbles we could actually stand inside!