STEM Club – from the STEM Captain

STEM Club – from the STEM Captain

This week in STEM Club, students brought chemistry to life with the iconic Elephant’s Toothpaste experiment

At STEM Club we aim to encourage girls to continue asking ‘What would happen if…’ through fortnightly fun and hands-on experiments that get students to build confidence in their practical lab skills. STEM Club is an opportunity for those who are keen to explore the full scope of STEM while offering a chance for you to taste test each of its branches – sciences, mathematics and technology.

During our first session, students observed the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) into water (H₂O) and oxygen gas (O₂). By adding potassium iodide as a catalyst, we sped up the reaction, producing an impressive cascade of colourful foam. The dish soap trapped the oxygen gas released, creating the dramatic, bubbly eruption famously known as Elephant’s Toothpaste.

Thanks to our school facilities and equipment, we were able to conduct the experiment on a much larger scale than would typically be possible at home, making the demonstration even more memorable!

This week, we explored light and fluorescence by shining UV light torches onto tonic water. To everyone’s amazement, the tonic water glowed a bright blue under the ultraviolet light! Students learned that this happens because of quinine, which reacts to UV light.

They made oobleck, a fascinating mixture of cornflour and water that behaves like both a solid and a liquid and a mini eruption demonstrating a physical reaction, caused by rapid nucleation.

STEM Club Details

Whether you’re thinking about which subjects to take in your senior years or simply want to see where a passion for STEM can lead, come along to sharpen your scientific skills and connect with likeminded peers.

– Kathleen Chrun (Year 12)
2026 STEM Captain

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