At Home with the Mad Scientist: 3-6 for February 2009

Preserving a Spider Web

Remember: Always have an adult help you with any experiment.

Materials

1. Empty spider web
2. Talcum powder
3. Black Construction paper
4. Hair spray

Procedure

1. Find a spider web that isn't occupied. (Be sure and ask an adult for help.) You can find out if there's a spider in the web by tapping it very lightly. If a spider is in the web, it will move and you'll see it. If a spider lives there then find another web.
2. When you find an empty web, sprinkle it with talcum powder all over it to make it easier to see.
3. Then, ask an adult to help you apply hair spray to a piece of black construction paper. While the spray is still wet, bring the paper up against the web so that the web sticks to the paper.

What's Going On?

You've just preserved one of nature's great works of art! Now challenge yourself and try to find out more about spiders. You can find great books at the library, look online or ask an adult questions.