Elephant Toothpaste!

Mrs. Edwards demonstrating the process of the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

In 3rd/4th grade Science, students created “Elephant Toothpaste”.

Inspired by an episode of “Science Bob”, students filled a 16oz. water bottle with hydrogen peroxide and food coloring. Warm water was added to the yeast and this mixture was poured into the bottle. Students donned safety goggles and magically, a toothpaste-like foam came out of the bottle… and then kept coming – YIKES!

With the yeast acting as a catalyst (helper), it quickly caused the Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) to release its oxygen, creating lots of foam bubbles. This reaction also created heat, or an exothermic reaction.

Special thanks to Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Serrette for this enormously fun experiment in the lower school science lab!