Hydroponics, also known as aquaculture, uses nutrient-rich liquids instead of soil to grow plants. Different kinds of liquids produce varying results. Place six to eight bean seeds on a paper towel in the bottom of four 12-ounce clear drinking glasses. Pour eight ounces of liquid in each glass; water in the first glass, milk in the second, vinegar in the third and orange juice in the fourth. Place in sunlight where the seeds won’t be disturbed. Observe the seeds for two weeks and record which seeds sprouted and grew. Record how many seeds in each liquid sprouted and how tall each grew. Determine which liquids contain nutrients the beans liked by noting which produced the most plants and which experienced the most growth. Record the average length of your resulting plants.
Different substances react in combination with each other, and some react explosively. Take three 20-ounce pop bottles and add four ounces of white vinegar and two ounces of warm water to the first bottle, four ounces of buttermilk and two ounces of water to the second and four ounces of orange juice with two ounces of water. Place two tablespoons of baking soda inside each of three coffee filters and fold each one up into a small package that will fit into the opening of your pop bottles. Take the bottles outside and stuff one coffee filter packet in the first bottle and cap it quickly. Shake the bottle and toss away from you on the ground. Repeat with each liquid. Record which combination of liquids reacts the strongest.
Pour two ounces of whole milk, two ounces of tap water and one ounce of vinegar to a saucepan and stir. Slowly heat the contents until it is hot, but do not let it boil. While the solution cools, push a coffee filter into opening of a heat-resistant glass jar until half of the open filter is inside the jar and half open around the jar mouth. Rubber band the coffee filter edges into place around the jar. Slowly pour the solution into the coffee filter, being careful not to overflow the jar. Observe the fat particles that were in the milk. Repeat with skim milk and heavy cream. Observe the differences in fat content.
Mix 2 ounces whole milk with a half tablespoon of vinegar, Stir for one minute and then strain the liquid through cheesecloth into a bowl, removing as much liquid as you can squeeze out. Add a pinch of baking soda and a few drops of tap water to the solution and stir. Compare the texture and durability of your homemade glue to commercial white glue.