Sparking Curiosity Through Science Learning at Home 

Looking to keep kids curious and engaged at home? Science experiments are a perfect solution. They spark creativity and give children the chance to explore how the world works, using everyday objects as learning tools. 

Lisa Stiefel, 2025 High School Teacher of the Year at Insight School of Oklahoma (ISOK), recently appeared on a Tulsa news program to share two hands-on experiments that families can try with simple household supplies. 

“At ISOK, we use experiments like these during lab science,” Stiefel said. “Even though students are meeting online, they explore real-world concepts together through interactive projects at home.” 

• Naked Egg Experiment: Soak two eggs in vinegar for 24 hours. The shells dissolve through a chemical reaction, leaving soft, bouncy eggs that mimic living cells. Next, place the first bouncy egg in corn syrup for 12 hours; place the second bouncy egg in colored water for 12 hours. The corn syrup shrinks the egg by removing water through osmosis. The colored water expands the egg and changes its color through diffusion. 

• Layered Drinks and Sugar Density: Try pouring liquids with different sugar content over ice in a clear glass. Start by pouring grenadine, then slowly pour Gatorade, followed by Sprite Zero. Because drinks with higher sugar content are more dense, they sink beneath lighter, sugar-free drinks. When poured carefully, the liquids form colorful layers that look impressive and teach children about density and solubility. Bonus: Kids get to sip the results! 

These activities are perfect for rainy afternoons, family time in the kitchen or long weekends. They show kids that science isn’t confined to textbooks — it’s happening in the food, drinks and everyday objects all around us.