Beyond Science Experiment - What did I do wrong?

[daybreaking]

We tried the science experiment for Unit 20, Day 3 today and it didn't work. We followed the directions closely (put a white paper on the wall, shine the flash light on the paper and then put a glass of water with a few drops of milk between the flashlight and paper), but got nothing - no colors, no change at all. I'm wondering what we did wrong. Any thoughts?

[MomtoJGJE]

I had to do half and half milk to water and got colors around the edges.

[daybreaking]

I had to do half and half milk to water and got colors around the edges.

Hmmm ... I used skim. Perhaps that's the problem? I'll try 1/2 and 1/2 and see if that works. Thanks!

[holyhart]

I *think* she meant half milk and half water, not half and half (like the half cream/milk mixture). But I'm not positive.

[MomtoJGJE]

haha, yes I meant a 1:1 ratio of water to milk... we also used skim. Maybe if you use whole milk you don't have to use as much? Hmmm... I wonder if the fat content matters?

[Tree House Academy]

It didn't work for us either. I went online and found some examples and we looked at those instead.

I have to wonder if the shape of the glass matters too. Our glasses have squared off "edges" around the circular base.

[daybreaking]

I *think* she meant half milk and half water, not half and half (like the half cream/milk mixture). But I'm not positive.

I guess I didn't read very carefully!

Oops!

I'll give it another try on Monday. Thanks!

[holyhart]

Hahaha! I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have "brain cramps"! I am convinced it comes with Mommy-hood!

[daybreaking]

Well, now that summer is here I finally had a chance to retry the experiment. I used 1/2 water and 1/2 milk, as suggested, and still no colors appeared at all. We've also tried a range from skim milk to 1/2 and 1/2 without luck. Anybody else have any other suggestions on how to get this experiment to work? Thanks!