Egyptian Science Experiments

Instead of doing a systematic study of Science, we're going to try to do as many hands-on science experiments relating to our other topics of study.  Right now, we're doing Egypt and Deserts.  (We'll add photos of the projects we complete.)

Egypt Science Activities
*Mummy Experiment with Apples

*Study the mummification process.  Watch How to Make a Mummy Video.  then play the Mummy Maker Game.  Pretend Barbie has died and you must embalm her.  There are good instructions here: Mummify Barbie.  But instead of just wrapping with linens, give the fabric (or paper) the paper-mache treatment (see T-Shirt Mummy)

*Papyrus Project We're discreetly going to collect reeds down by a local river and see if they'll work.  If not, we'll try making papyrus using paper, etc.

We collected these reeds, attempted to slice them
like papyrus, and it didn't work.  So we decided to soak the leaves.

We pounded them and laid them out like the woman demonstrated
in the video.  We placed them between some boards and put heavy
weights on them.  A few days later they looked exactly like they had initially.

 Discovery: Not all water reeds respond like papyrus.  The Egyptians were quite inventive to see a reed and, through trial and error, turn it into paper!

We thought maybe the reeds could be bent into
boats if they were soaked, but no.  Even after soaking,
they broke and didn't bend.

Making Papyrus Video
Once paper "papyrus" is dry, have the students copy The Eye of Ra  or Eye of Horus onto their papyrus.  Discuss how this symbol was often placed on a mummy so the body could see through the wrappings.

*Shaduf (Water Mover)

*Making Mud Bricks following the instructions in Great Ancient EGYPT Projects You Can Do Yourself

Desert Science Activities
*Making Water in a Desert
*Short Videos on the Desert
*Hot and Cold Deserts Interactive Map