DIY: Fluorescent Meteor Shower

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Fluorescent Meteor Shower

Stem Activities

Ages: 6-8

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Create a spectacular fluorescent meteor shower in your own home! A simple three-step experiment to spark children's curiosity about science.

Materials Needed

Glass
Water
Vitamin B tablet
Tissue paper
Spoon
Torch

Arranged on a light wood-grain table are a few items seemingly prepared for a small science experiment or seed germination: a clear glass of water, a small, clear dish containing a few small yellow seeds, a folded white paper towel or napkin, and a white plastic spoon. The simple setup suggests the beginning stages of a project involving plant growth.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Place the vitamin B tablet on the tissue paper and crush it using the spoon.

On a light wood-grain table, a folded white paper towel holds a few small, yellow seeds. In the background, a rack of test tubes filled with colorful liquids and a partially visible beaker with blue liquid are visible, suggesting a science experiment or educational setting related to seed germination.

Step 2

Transfer the vitamin B powder into the spoon and set aside.

A hand holds a white plastic spoon containing a small amount of yellow powder or spice. The spoon is positioned above a light wood-grain surface. The image suggests cooking, food preparation, or possibly a scientific experiment involving a powdered substance.

Step 3

Place the glass of water on top of your phone's torch. Sprinkle the vitamin B powder from the spoon into the water and watch carefully as the magical fluorescent meteor shower appears! Be careful not to add too much powder at once.

A clear glass of water sits on top of a cell phone. Small, gold-colored particles drift down through the water, settling at the bottom of the glass. The light source appears to be from below, illuminating the glass and creating a bright circle on the surface beneath it. The background is dark and out of focus, with the words Native Americans and Automaton partially visible on what appears to be a book or box.

The Science Behind It:

Vitamin B2 contains riboflavin, a fluorescent substance that glows under light. The powder has a higher density than water, causing it to slowly sink from the surface to the bottom of the glass, creating a beautiful fluorescent meteor shower effect.

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