Bubble whammy

I spent the better part of a decade teaching middle school science in Calgary. Whenever I could, I tried to engage students through active (and often messy) hands-on learning. One of my favourite activities was to break out the bubble juice.

There are many different recipes for bubble solution, but I kept it simple with warm water, dish soap and glycerine. The glycerine prevents the bubbles from drying out — which is why they pop. 

There are so many ways to use bubbles to enhance learning and make it hands on. I used bubbles when teaching weather to measure wind speed and direction. I also designed a lab activity in which students experiment with different volumes and liquids to find the best bubble recipe. For other lessons, I premixed the bubble mixture, provided the students with drinking straws, elastics and string, 
and issued the following challenges: 

• Make me the biggest bubble you can fit in your hand. 
• Make me the biggest bubble you can on your desk. 
• Make me the longest chain of bubbles between two people. 
• Who can make the best bubble moustache or beard? 
• Who can stretch their bubble the most before it pops? 
• Who can make a bubble that is as tall as they are? 
• Who can make the longest lasting bubble? 

Not only does the ensuing soapy fun result in awesome pictures for the school website and yearbook, but all the bubble activity cleans the desks in your room.