Kids love glow sticks. They’re perfect for Halloween as well as illuminating dark, crowded spaces like concerts. From afar, glow sticks brightens up with a soft radiance and leaves pretty trails of neon lights. We’ve seen many commercial glow sticks in different colors and styles, but did you know you can make one on your own? With this little glow stick experiment, you will never have to buy another one from the market again.
We’re teaching you how to make a solar-powered, reusable glow stick that you can make at home. Do it alone or with kids; this experiment can be a great way to bond with your children as well as to help them learn little facts about science!
What You’ll Need:
- Rubber Gloves
- Transparent rubber tube
- Epoxy Resin
- Copper doped zinc sulfide / glow powder
- Syringe
- Paper / plastic cup
- Teaspoon
Directions:
- Wear your rubber gloves. In the disposable plastic or paper cup,
- Mix the epoxy resin by following the instructions on its packaging. Put equal amounts (about a teaspoon of each substance) into the cup.
- Add in 1/2 teaspoon of copper doped zinc sulfide (glow powder) into the mixture. Stir well until everything is combined. Place the mixture inside a syringe. (Alternatively, you can mix all the measured contents in the syringe with a glass rod so you can skip #2 and #3)
- Prepare the rubber tube. Cut a 6-inch length out of it.
- Insert the mixture inside the tube by using the syringe. Wait for the material to harden.
- Cut out the unfilled parts. Your glow stick is ready for use!
How does it glow? The glow powder carries a phosphorescent property which is similar to fluorescence. This gives the homemade glow light its neon tinge.
Take note: The light from your glow stick will only last within four to six hours. However, you can recharge its luminescent properties by leaving it under the sunlight!
Image Source: Wonder How To
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