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Science of Healthy Skin

Age range
9-11 years
Science topic
Materials
Type of enquiry
Comparative/fair tests, Observing changes over time, Problem solving

This resource is based upon actual processes used in an industry which researches, develops and produces ingredients for a wide variety of applications such as home care, personal products and health care. Through the sequence of activities, children explore some of the processes involved and challenges faced within the speciality chemical industry. They have opportunities to develop and implement both creative ideas and innovative solutions to scientific and industrial problems. The activities focus on innovation in science. Innovation is more than just having an idea; it’s about finding a way of turning ideas into reality.

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Science of Healthy Skin Full (PDF , 3,110kb)

Oil and water - From Fleece to Grease

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Observing changes over time
  • Keywords: lanolin, wool grease, immiscible, liquids, oil and water, detergent, emulsions, separate, investigate, observe, measure, changes, properties, mixtures, reversible, irreversible

Based upon the extraction of lanolin from wool grease, the activities include testing immiscible liquids using oil and water and investigating the effects of adding detergent to produce emulsions which in turn reduce the efficiency of the separation of oil from water. Products containing lanolin can be manufactured in pastille form. The final activity in this section involves investigating techniques for producing pastilles and testing the effect of viscosity upon the pastilles produced.

water and oil mixture image

The pastillator - From Fleece to Grease

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Problem solving
  • Keywords: lanolin, pastilles, investigating, viscosity, solids, liquids

Based upon the extraction of lanolin from wool grease, the activities include testing immiscible liquids using oil and water and investigating the effects of adding detergent to produce emulsions which in turn reduce the efficiency of the separation of oil from water. Products containing lanolin can be manufactured in pastille form. The final activity in this section involves investigating techniques for producing pastilles and testing the effect of viscosity upon the pastilles produced.

pastillator producing image

Making foam - Fun with Foam

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Problem solving
  • Keywords: foam, formulation scientists, ingredients, recipes, observation, measurement, liquid, gas, reversible, irreversible, changes

Children develop a method for producing and measuring foam, whilst learning that formulation scientists choose ingredients because of their specific properties. They go on to mimic methods used by these scientists to make and test their own bubble bath recipe.

bubble bath image

Comparing bath foams - Fun with Foam

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Comparative/fair tests
  • Keywords: foam, formulation scientists, ingredients, recipe, investigate, compare, fair test, variables, liquid, gas, reversible, irreversible, changes

Children develop a method for producing and measuring foam, whilst learning that formulation scientists choose ingredients because of their specific properties. They go on to mimic methods used by these scientists to make and test their own bubble bath recipe.

bubble bath image 2

Increasing viscosity - Fun with Foam

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Comparative/fair tests
  • Keywords: viscosity, liquids, flow, changes, mixing, mixtures, observation, measurement, properties, changes

Children develop a method for producing and measuring foam, whilst learning that formulation scientists choose ingredients because of their specific properties. They go on to mimic methods used by these scientists to make and test their own bubble bath recipe.

different viscosities image

Developing a bubble bath recipe - Fun with Foam

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Problem solving
  • Keywords: ingredients, formulation scientists, properties, materials, compare, investigate, liquid, gas, mixtures, changes

Children develop a method for producing and measuring foam, whilst learning that formulation scientists choose ingredients because of their specific properties. They go on to mimic methods used by these scientists to make and test their own bubble bath recipe.

bubble bath mixture recipe image

Lumps or powder? - Safe in the Sun

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Problem solving
  • Keywords: materials, changes, properties, ingredients, compare, investigate, observe, measure, conclusions, solid

Children learn that some materials must be physically changed to enable them to be used as ingredients for applications such as sun care products. They learn that different levels of UV protection can be provided by using different types and amounts of ingredients in sunscreen products and go on to test a series of sunscreen products and rank in order of protection level.

Grinding solids - Safe in the Sun

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Problem solving
  • Keywords: hardness, solids, grinding, changes, powder, materials, properties

Children learn that some materials must be physically changed to enable them to be used as ingredients for applications such as sun care products. They learn that different levels of UV protection can be provided by using different types and amounts of ingredients in sunscreen products and go on to test a series of sunscreen products and rank in order of protection level.

mortar and pestle image

Testing sunscreen products - Safe in the Sun

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Problem solving
  • Keywords: materials, changes, ingredients, sun care products, UV protection, sunscreen, investigate, rank, properties, light, protect

Children learn that some materials must be physically changed to enable them to be used as ingredients for applications such as sun care products. They learn that different levels of UV protection can be provided by using different types and amounts of ingredients in sunscreen products and go on to test a series of sunscreen products and rank in order of protection level.

sunscreen products image

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CRODA UK

Supported by CRODA UK.