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Our home has finally been taken over by Star Wars. Finally.
My husband and I have shown Jaxson and Sophia several Star Wars movies, but it was Star Wars Clone Wars that caught their attention. Then we got to see Star Wars Rebels, the newest series, on the big screen! They’re definitely hooked on the Star Wars saga now. Our dinner table conversation has been dominated by discussions on which droid is better: R2-D2, CP-3O or Shooter (from Rebels).
After the screening, Jaxson was super excited that Star Wars Rebels is also available on DVD, which is exclusively available at Walmart through October 13. Since my husband couldn’t make it to the screening with us, we watched it for family movie night. It’s definitely a movie I don’t mind rewatching because I know the kids will watch it for a third and fourth time. As the mother of a daughter, I also loved that the movie has not one, but two kick-butt female characters!
During the same shopping trip, we picked up some Star Wars Rebels toys. I’d seen some posts on the internet about Star Wars science experiments–so why not do a little enrichment? We picked the Hasbro Star Wars Command Jedi Duel figure set to freeze in “carbonite,” which is just really baking soda and water. Your kids will love this experiment as much as mine did!
The experiment is easy to set up. As you can see the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda were a huge hit with my kids! Here’s how to do this Star Wars Science Experiment.
Star Wars Rebels Carbonite Science Experiment
Supplies:
- Star Wars figures that are approximately 2″ tall (minus light sabers)
- 3 cups of baking soda (about 1 1/2-16oz boxes)
- 1 cup of water
- Small plastic cups to “freeze” the characters
- 2 quarts of white vinegar
- water droppers (optional)
Directions:
In a small bowl, mix the baking soda and water to form a thick paste. Add enough paste in the cup to cover the bottom. Don’t add too much or the characters will take too long to free. (We learned this the hard way.)
Place the characters in the plastic cups. It doesn’t matter if they stand up or lay down. Add just enough paste to cover them. I think it’s fun to leave a head or lightsaber poking out. Move cups to the freezer and freeze until hard. It should take more than a few hours.
To “free” the Rebels from the carbonite: I recommend doing this outside because it will get messy and help disperse the strong vinegar smell. Give the kids small cups of white vinegar and droppers. I added some food coloring to our first cups of vinegar to liven things up a little. Drop vinegar onto the carbonite to free the Rebels.
The vinegar creates a chemical reaction with the baking soda, thus removing the carbonite. The reaction creates carbon dioxide, which are all the bubbles they’ll see.
Eventually we gave up on the droppers and just poured vinegar right into the cups. Check out the our Star Wars science experiment time lapse video on Instagram.
This is a fun activity for a Star Wars birthday party too. The Hasbro Star Wars Command Destroyer set would be a hit at a party.
Is your family a Star Wars family?
Wow, this looks fantastic…saving it for my grandson when he gets a little bit older. Thanks for sharing.
This is so much fun! I love that you made a science experiment out of Star Wars Rebels! #client
How did you explain the science part? I have a first grader.
Thanks
The “carbonite” is mostly baking soda. So adding vinegar to it creates a chemical reaction (base meets acid), which causes it to foam. I hope your first grader enjoys the experiment!