If you have been following us, you would have noticed that smarties love science experiments. This time round, we found a way to reuse/recycle fresh milk that has been expired for our project. Yes, even milk does not go to waste with this project.
With just 2 ingredients, we can make stones out of it. Some people called it plastic. Whatever it is, it was a fun and fulfilling experience for all of us.
Our 2 main ingredients are:
– milk
– vinegar
Equipment:
– strainer
– container
– spoon or anything that can use for stirring
– kitchen towel/paper
– cookie cutters
Step 1:
Warm the milk a little. Adult supervision and guidance are necessary at this part.
Step 2:
Pour 2 tablespoons of vinegar into the milk and mix it till you see chunks (casein) forming.
Step 3:
Strain the chunks out and further pat it dry using kitchen towel/paper.
Step 4:
Mold it into any shapes that you desire and wait for it to dry. The drying takes at least 2 days. Touch and feel it once it is dry.
What is happening here?
When you mix vinegar to the milk, a substance called CASEIN is formed. Casein occurs when the protein in the milk meets the acid in the vinegar. In other words, the acid in the vinegar separates the protein from the water hence forming the casein (or chunks).
Check out our video here for step by step guide on how to do it. Have fun!
We prepare few dishes using this method of separating milk and water. It is interesting for kids to do.
Your site has got so many activities to try out when my girls are older! Treasure site! And this one looks simple enough. Hope to find time to do together with them.
Another interesting project. Love the short video instruction too 🙂
cheers, Andy
(SengkangBabies.com)
ahhhhh! I never knew we could make “stones” hahahaha. You could probably get the Smarties to paint/embellish it and stick a magnet button at the back. Voila! Magnet stones! LOL
Interesting experiment! But haha, why do you have so much expired milk?
– Mary
Actually the milk you saw only left a quarter each. We were taking turn coming down with running nose, that’s why couldn’t finish up the milk in time 🙁
This looks really fun! I think I might enjoy it as much as kids would. Although I am wondering by mixing milk and vinegar, will it have a funky smell? I am extremely afraid of dried milk smell.
Surprisingly, there wasn’t any smell at all! You can safely do it 😉
Oh, very nice…In Indian recipes, we call this as cottage cheese and use it for making sweets and vegetables in North Indian style.Your child very nicely showed it how to make.
Oh, this is how to make cheese? Wow! Now I have a recipe on hand to try out next… 😉
Thanks for sharing, Shub!