This science experiment is inspired by Zoey and Sassafras: Gnomes and Sneezes. This is the latest book in one of our all-time favorite series. A fabulous mix of fantasy and science concepts appropriate and engaging for kids ages 4-10.
Gnomes and Sneezes
In book 10 of the Zoey and Sassafras series, Zoey discovers gnomes in the secret room of her friend's new house. The gnomes have a case of the sneezes! Zoey systematically works through the gnomes' symptoms and the environmental factors in their living space to identify what it causing these sniffles. Readers see her use graphing as a way to collect data.
You'll have to read the book to discover what is making the gnomes sneeze! We thoroughly enjoyed Zoey and Sassafras: Gnomes and Sneezes, and it inspired my kids to read the entire series over again (this will be the 3rd time for one of them!). If you want to encourage kids to test things out, experiment, and use logic and creativity to solve their problems, this series is the best!
You can grab a free Zoey and Sassafras science journal at the bottom of this post.
The Great Sneeze Experiment
In this simple experiment students will collect data on a "sneeze" that has not been covered and a "sneeze" that has.
The Great Sneeze Experiment Materials:
- Paper, construction or butcher paper are good choices
- Painter's tape, or another tape that will be gentle on walls
- Water
- Food colors or paint (optional)
- Spray bottle
- Small towel
- Markers
- Ruler or tape measure
The Great Sneeze Experiment Procedure:
Tape a piece of paper up about kid's chest level on the wall. (We used re-used paper from packaging.) Mark a place to stand a short distance away from the wall.
Fill up the spray bottle with water. If your paper is dark, using plain water will work just fine. You can also experiment with different colored water. If more than one kid is using the same piece of paper, colors can be helpful to tell whose "sneeze" is whose.
Standing in the spot marked on the floor, hold up the spray bottle at chest level and spray once. It's optional but fun to let out a big "ACHOOO" sound when you do this.
Draw a circle* around all of the spray drops on the paper from the "sneeze". Measure how wide the circle is. Note this on a data sheet.
*This step is important if you are using plain water for your experiment. The wet spot will evaporate and dry fairly quickly, so note your results!
Now, cover an arm with the towel and position your spray bottle as close to the same position as possible. Spray behind the towel covered arm. This represents sneezing into your elbow. Let out another "ACHOOO!"
The Great Sneeze Experiment: Results
What did you find out? I don't think I want to be in the way of that uncovered sneeze! If you are completing this experiment as a class, compile all the data before discussing it.
Some discussion questions:
- What does covering the sneeze do?
- How is this experiment like real life?
- How is it different from real life?
More Zoey and Sassafras Science Investigations!
We love Zoey and Sassafras! Here are two other Zoey and Sassafras inspired experiments to try.
