44 STEM Challenges!

Dyson (Yes, the vacuum people) have created a set of 44 experiments and challenges for anyone to tackle in their free time. Here are some of our favorites:

Fit an Egg into a Bottle Without Breaking it

1. Submerge the egg in a glass of vinegar for
   two days: the shell will become rubbery.
2. Heat the bottle in hot water – remember to
   use gloves or a tea towel when handling it.
3. Rest the egg on the neck of the bottle.
4. As the air inside the bottle cools down,
   it will contract and suck the egg down

Tornado in a Bottle

1. Fill the plastic bottle with water until
   it reaches around three quarters full.
2. Add a few drops of washing up liquid.
3. Sprinkle in a few pinches of glitter (this
   will make your tornado easier to see).
4. Put the cap on tightly.
5. Turn the bottle upside down and
   hold it by the neck. Quickly spin the
   bottle in a circular motion for a few
   seconds. Stop and look inside to see
   if you can see a mini tornado forming
   in the water. You might need to try
   it a few times before you get it
   working properly.

Clean a Penny Using Cola

1. Place the penny in the container.
2. Add enough cola so the penny is covered.
3. Leave overnight.
4. In the morning, you should find
   that your penny is clean.

If these experiments were interesting to you and you want more or to find out how they work, check out the full list here!

Other Challenges:

• Underwater Volcano
• Floating Ping-pong Balls
• Balloon Kebabs
• Liquid Densities
• Expanding Gases
• Non-newtonian Fluid
• Lenz’s Law
• Inertial Eggs
• 100+100=192
• Measure the Speed of Light
• Weather Balloon
• Floating Paperclip
• Fire Extinguisher
• Scared Pepper
• Dancing Raisins
• How to Make a Lava Lamp
• Ivory Soap
• Colored Carnations
• Invisible Ink
• Geodesic Domes
• Marble Run
• Spaghetti Bridge
• Strong as a Drinking Straw
• Electric Motor
• Cotton Reel Tank
• Cardboard Boat
• Cardboard Chair
• Boat Powered by a Chemical Reaction
• Cartesian Diver
• Balloon Car Race
• Design and Build a Helicopter
• Water Clock
• Metal Etching
• Jelly and Oil
• Build a Compass
• A Tough Nut to Crack
• Burning Custard
• Homemade Water Bomb
• Potato Power
• Make a Periscope
• Attractive Nails