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How to Make a Globe Thermometer

Making a globe thermometer is a fun and educational activity for kids, either in the classroom or at home. All you need is a few household items to create the thermometer, which can be used to show children how one actually works. They will see that when the temperature is increased, the red liquid rises up through a straw; when it gets even hotter, the liquid will spurt out the end of the straw.

Things You'll Need

Tap water
Rubbing alcohol
Red food coloring
Globe-shaped bottle
Modeling clay
Plastic straw

Instructions

- 1
  Pour 1/2-cup rubbing alcohol, 1/2-cup tap water and a few drops of red food coloring into your globe. The red food coloring turns the liquid bright red, making it easy to see through the straw.
- 2
  Seal the hole of your globe with the modeling clay, leaving only a small hole for the straw.
- 3
  Put the straw through the hole you made in the clay. Do not allow it to reach the bottom of the globe.
- 4
  Hold your hands on the bottle. This will heat the water and some of the red liquid will rise up through the straw.

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