With the new Computer Science Program introducing computational thinking and STEM, 5th and 6th graders explored possible careers as special effects directors, creators, sound effects, and videographers while learning about chemical reactions, acids and bases, uses of vegetables and gases in movies.
According to Zip Recruiter, the average salary for special effects starts at $59K to $110K depending on the state and the demand for the job.
BGS 5th and 6th Graders created a crystal ball bubble today!
We used boiling beakers with colors and sound. We used Ammonia to change the color of paper to blood. We made an optical illusion of ghost eggs. We used thunder cups for sound effects, and finished with creating smoking bubbles that we could touch and play with in class.
Our recipe for the fake blood demonstration and background of development is actually simple. In the days before color television, chocolate syrup was the perfect solution to the problem of making fake blood. On a black and white screen, chocolate syrup looked just like real blood. Even though times have changed, chocolate syrup is still an important ingredient in making great edible fake blood.
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons of red food coloring
• 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
Mix all of the ingredients in the blender for a few seconds. Watch as the fake blood oozes down the inside wall of the blender to get a good idea of what it will really look like on the white towel. Each of the ingredients in this recipe adds its own special quality to the fake blood – thickness, color, and transparency. Take the white towel test… drip a few drops of blood onto a white towel to see how realistic it looks
The Best Fake Blood… So Far
This recipe combines everything we’ve learned so far about making fake blood and adds a few ingredients that pack a great punch (pun intended... as you’ll see below).
• Tropical fruit punch (Hawaiian Fruit Punch® works great)
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons of red food coloring
• 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon of powdered cocoa
Combine all of the ingredients in the blender and mix for 10 seconds. Since different brands of fruit punch vary in color, you’ll need to use your vast experience in making fake blood to tweak the recipe to arrive at your perfect batch of fake blood. Some fake blood connoisseurs recommend a cup of coffee in place of the fruit punch. You may need to reduce (or eliminate) the amount of chocolate syrup and powdered cocoa used in the recipe. Remember, it’s all about experimentation!
Take the white towel test… drip a few drops of blood onto a white towel to see how realistic it looks. Or better yet... roll up your sleeve and drip a little on your arm if you run into a neighbor!
Crystal Ball Bubble (above) and steps in creating the crystal ball below
Ghost Eggs are really cool!