Hello, Fall! Fall science you can do at home

Happy first day of fall!  We love to celebrate all of the seasons with science.  In this blog, you'll find instructions for how to write a letter in invisible ink, make art (using science), and make some delicious fall treats!

Secret Messages With Invisible Ink
Materials:
Cardstock
Measuring spoons
3 cups or small bowls
Spoon
Q-tips or a brush
Old newspaper or cardboard
Paper towels
For method 1: Water, lemon, and an iron
For method 2: Baking soda, water, turmeric and rubbing alcohol

Method 1:
1. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a bowl.
2. Add half a teaspoon of water to the lemon juice and mix it.
3. Dip a Q-tip into the lemon juice solution.
4. Use the wet Q-tip to write your message on cardstock.  Rewet the Q-tip if necessary.  Be careful not to soak the paper.
5. Let the paper dry completely.
6. Set the iron to high.  Run the iron over the paper and watch your message appear!

Method 2:
1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water in a bowl.
2. In a different bowl, mix 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric with 3 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol.
3. Dip a Q-tip into the baking soda solution.
4. Use the wet Q-tip to write your message on cardstock.  Rewet the Q-tip if necessary.  Be careful not to soak the paper.
5. Let the paper dry completely.  If there is baking soda residue on the paper, remove it with a paper towel.
6. Dip a Q-tip or brush into the turmeric solution.  Paint the whole paper with the turmeric solution and watch your message appear!

Marbled Cards
Materials:
Two large plates
Shaving cream
Liquid food coloring (at least two different colors)
White printer paper or cardstock
Scissors
Spoon
Toothpick
Jumbo craft stick
Paper towels
Spray bottle
Water

Method:
1. Place the two plates next to each other.
2. Cut two letter-sized pieces of paper in half crosswise.  Then fold each in half, creating four cards.
3. Put shaving cream on the two plates and spread it around with your hands.  Create a layer with an area at least as large as your paper card and about half an inch thick.
4. Drop several drops of the first color of food coloring onto the shaving cream on both plates.  Repeat with any other colors you are using.
5. With the toothpick, gently swirl the colors in the shaving cream until you have created a design that you like.  Try not to overmix.
6. Use the spray bottle to spray water on top of the color pattern on one of the plates.  Use 5-10 pumps of water.  Allow the foam to sit for one minute.
7. Place your first card with the front facing down on top of the shaving cream design and press it gently so that the whole card is covered in shaving cream.
8. Repeat the process with the other card and plate.
9. Remove the cards from the shaving cream.  Scrape any remaining shaving cream from the cards using the craft stick or a paper towel.
10.  Let the cards dry.

Toffee Apples
(Caution: Boiling sugar is HOT!!!)
Ingredients:
8 large Granny Smith apples
3 cups of caster sugar (superfine sugar)
1/3 cup of water
1/4 cup of liquid glucose (or light corn syrup)
1 teaspoon of white vinegar
red food coloring

Directions:
1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Wash the apples, remove the stems, and dry well.  Push in a thick skewer or popsicle stick.
3. Add the sugar, water, glucose, and vinegar to a large, heavy-based saucepan.  Cook over very low heat stirring constantly until the sugar completely dissolves.
4. Bring the syrup to a boil and put a candy thermometer on the side of the pan.  Boil until the mixture is at the hard crack stage (302 degrees F).  Use a pastry brush with a little water on it to brush down any sugar crystals that form on the sides.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and mix the food coloring in.  Let the bubbles subside.
6.  Carefully tip the saucepan on an angle and dip the apples, turning them a few times to coat them well.
7.  Cool the apples on the prepared baking sheet.
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Spiced Apple Cider
Materials:
10 Apples
Spices-cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, and cardamon
Stove
Muslin cloth
Potato masher
Bowl

Directions:
1. Core the apples and cut into large chunks.
2. Place apple chunks in a large pot.  Cover with water and add a selection of spices.
3. Heat until the water starts to boil.  Simmer for about 10 minutes.
4. Use the potato masher to thoroughly squish the apples.
5. Place the muslin cloth over the bowl and carefully pour the apple mixture over the top.  The apple juice will drip through the muslin, leaving the pulp behind.
6. Gather up the ends of the muslin and squeeze the pulp over the bowl to extract all of the juice.
7. Discard the pulp and enjoy your cider!