Energy Changes The Properties Of Matter (Solids, Liquids, Gases)

9:30 am – 2:30 pm (5 hours)

Our Rangers will happily work around your bell times and scheduled breaks to create a schedule that suits your school day.

Introduction (Approx. 45 mins)

We begin with our thrilling Liquid Nitrogen Show, where students see solids, liquids and gases transform as heat is added or removed. Selected volunteers put on PPE and help demonstrate dramatic matter changes. A hall or undercover COLA is ideal.

Activity Rotations

Students split into groups of approx. 35, each led by a Ranger. Groups rotate through all activities in different orders.

Activity 1: Slime Lab

Students mix ingredients to create stretchy slime while observing how heating, cooling and mixing can change the properties of materials. Best in a grassy space with tap access.

Activity 2: Chemical Rockets

Students explore gas production and pressure as they create simple chemical rockets, observing how heat and particle movement can drive explosive reactions. Outdoor, easy to hose down space recommended.

Activity 3: Lava Lamps + Exploding Bags

Students experiment with liquids, gases and heat transfer as they make bubbling lava lamps and watch heat-driven changes trigger exploding bags. Ideal for a splash-friendly outdoor area.

Activity 4: Air Rocket Engineering

Students build lightweight rockets and investigate how heated air, pressure and particle movement can send them soaring skyward. Indoor space for building; large outdoor space for launching.

Wrap-Up & Goodbye

A final farewell from our Rangers, already excited for your next adventure!

Please note this schedule is a guide and may vary slightly on the day.

ST2-SCI-01 uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems;
ST2-PQU-01 poses questions to create fair tests that investigate the effects of energy on living things and physical systems;
ST2-DAT-01 uses and interprets data to describe patterns and relationships;
ST2-DDT-01 uses a design process to create products to address user needs or opportunities;
ST2-DDT-02 designs and uses algorithms, represents data and uses digital systems for a purpose;

Energy is required to change the properties of matter

• Recognise that matter is anything that has mass, takes up space and consists of very small particles;
• Observe examples of matter that exist as a solid, which has a defined shape and volume; a liquid, which has a definite volume but not a definite shape; and a gas, which has neither a definite shape nor a definite volume;
• Observe and describe water changing from solid to liquid to gas and back again, using Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary;
• Describe how adding and removing heat energy affects the movement and arrangement of particles when matter is changing state;

Heat energy can be transferred

• Recognise that heat energy can be transferred from warmer to cooler objects by conduction, convection and radiation;
• Recognise that temperature is a measure of hotness or coldness, measured using a thermometer and often expressed in degrees Celsius;
• Pose questions and conduct fair tests to compare how different materials absorb or reflect heat energy;
• Describe how the properties of materials and transfer of heat energy impact everyday life.

The cost of this exciting adventure is $24.00 + GST per student.
(Minimum charge x35)

This price includes:

• A pre-completed Risk Assessment to make planning easy;
• Full administrative support from our team;
• All materials and equipment provided, you bring the kids, we’ll bring… well, everything else;
• Enthusiastic and knowledgeable Rangers leading the fun;
• A syllabus-aligned program designed to deliver real learning in a hands-on, exciting way.