The first experiment was bacteria growing.  Not only does the workbook that Sean Eddie is holding above have step by step instuctions and photos, there is also a fantastic website that allows you to see Steve Spangler demonstrate step by step what it is that you have to do.  Check it out for yourself www.spanglersci.com/invisiblessciencekids  

Sean Eddie followed all the directions in his workbook.  He labeled the first Pertri dish with touched by Sean Eddie and the date. There are spaces in the workbook for your yong sciencist to make predictions about what is going to happen in the experiement. Then Sean Eddie went really CSI and used swabs to collect germs off of the TV remote, his Dad’s cell phone and the liquid soap dispencer in our bathroom.

 Once we put our Petri dishes away to grow our cultures, we got onto the second experiement glowing germs.  I would have to say this was an instant hit!  We used the test tube filled with glow powder, the mini black light included and made some enlightening discoveries!

First we took the test tube into Sean Eddie’s closet and turned on the black light to see it glow  We were wowed!

 Then came the really fun part, Sean Eddie got to rub some of the glowing podwer on his hands.  Then we went into his closet again to see how his hands looked.

super cool and the glow is on!

 Next to demonstrate how germs spread, Sean Eddie had to shake my hand.  And then we saw how much of the glow powder which represented the germs transferred to my hand.  Alot! and this is how germs are spread and we discussed why its so important to wash your hands.  The picture below is my hand after shaking his.

Next we washed our hands.  You can guess where this is going.  You know eight year olds don’t spend long enough washing their hands.  I was happy he got most of the glow powder/ germs off when we checked with the black light how much remained.  It really re-enforced the need for him to do a good job when he washes his hands.  We’ve spoken about it several times since we actually performed the experiements.  I even heard him talking about it to his older sisters, telling them why its so important to wash your hands well each time.

Lastly, we performed the experiment entitled reading the invisible. Sean Eddie got to try out writing messages in invisible ink.  Then we talked about the uses for invisible ink and how many people used it during war time.

He found out it takes practice to write with ink that you can’t see! We had a good time de-coding the messages using the black light.

Each night after dinner, we checked our Petri dishes to see much the colonies of germs grew.  And boy did they grow!

Not only was the Steve Spangler Science Kit a great afternoon of fun and learning, but the discussion carried on through-out the week.  Doing these experiments was a great way to engage with my son and do something interesting that we both enjoyed. I would recommend this kit to future scientists of the world and their adult science helpers.  One thing I didn’t mention as yet, is that there is a “top secret” book for the adult science helpers that guides you and your young scientist into each experiment AND gives YOU the reasons behind the whys that your scientist is sure to ask about.

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Disclosure:  My Best of Both Worlds received a complimentary  Spangler Science Kit Subscription Box in order to facilitate a review.  No other compensation was received in exchange for this publication.  All opinions expressed are true and 100% my own.  There are no affiliate links contained within this post.