Introduction
Each summer, doTERRA hosts a series of summer day camps as part of the doTERRA Science for Kids program. These camps provide an opportunity for kids to explore the doTERRA International campus while discovering more about the science behind doTERRA products. Now we want to share the fun and discovery with kids who aren’t able to join us for the on-campus summer day camps. Give the following lessons and experiments a try to create your own mini doTERRA Science for Kids Summer Day Camp at home.
The Scientific Method
The scientific method is the basis of all scientific discovery. It provides a foundation for asking questions and making discoveries through six basic steps:
- Ask a scientific question
- Do background research
- Form a hypothesis
- Experiment
- Draw a conclusion
- Share your results
Start your day camp with a discussion of this important scientific concept using the doTERRA Science for Kids module found on the doTERRA Science Blog. Then give this experiment a try:
What You’ll Need: pennies, a pipette, water, and bottle of essential oil
- Surface tension allows water and other liquids to form a bubble when dripped onto a penny one drop at a time. Before you start, write down your hypothesis of how many drops of water you think your penny will hold.
- Using your pipette, drip water onto your penny, counting the number of drops it can hold before the water pops.
- Repeat this experiment using a favorite essential oil or other liquids found around the house. How do the number of drops compare?
Quality Testing
Part of the doTERRA Science for Kids Summer Day Camp is a tour of manufacturing with an inside look at the quality control labs. Even though you don’t have any of the heavy equipment of the lab at home, you can still teach kids what an essential oil is and why proper usage is important. The doTERRA Science for Kids modules “What Is an Essential Oil?” and “Safety and Usage” are great places to start. Aside from the activity pages linked with these modules, this density experiment can be a fun way to teach a bit about essential oils.
What You’ll Need: 3 clear glass cups, water, essential oils (Wintergreen, Cinnamon Bark, and Lemon work well)
- Fill each glass with water.
- In each glass, pour a few drops of one of the essential oils.
- Wait a few minutes and see where the oil is in relation to the water. Did it mix in? Float? Sink? Not only are essential oils hydrophobic (they don’t mix with water), but also they have different densities. Some oils, like Lemon, will float on the water. Other oils, like Wintergreen, will sink.
- When you’re done, feel free to diffuse your water and oil mixture if you don’t want to dump it out.
Olfaction
Humans have five primary senses: touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell. These senses play a key role in your personal experience with essential oils. The sense of smell (also known as olfaction) allows you to benefit from essential oils aromatically. Check out the doTERRA Science for Kids module on the senses to learn how they work, and follow the experiment steps to use your senses to experience Wild Orange essential oil.
Keep Learning All Summer Long
Summer marks a break from school, but it doesn’t mean your kids have to take a break from learning. Let these experiments and other online doTERRA Science for Kids resources be your guide to make this summer a time for science.
