top of page
verified shieldsm.png

MISSION VERIFIED

Classroom tested. Teacher designed. Safe at home.

TCS circle logo.png

Designed by Darin Carr (BScDip Ed)

Practising NESA accredited

Australian Science Teacher

★ 30+ years of classroom experience

MISSON PROGRESS

4

young scientists have completed this mission.

I'VE COMPLETED THIS MISSION

Click to let us know you have completed this mission

LATEST TEACHER FEEDBACK

No feedback yet for this experiment. Use it with your class and let us know how it went!

HELP IMPROVE THIS INVESTIGATION

USE THIS WITH YOUR CLASS OR AT HOME?

We would love to hear your feedback.

experiment background.jpg

Before you investigate... watch the mystery

MISSION HOOK

Professor Picklebottom and the team are travelling and collecting amazing science mysteries.

✔ Coming in Term 1 2027

PP .png

Share the science! Tag @the_crazy_scientist on Instagram

— we love seeing your experiments!

experiment background.jpg

Mission Equipment

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

  • 2–3 glow sticks (same colour works best)

  • Hot water (adult help required)

  • Cold water (with ice)

  • Test tubes or cups

  • Dark room (for best effect)

mystery goo materials.jpg
PP  thumbs.png

Let’s Investigate

Follow the missions steps below to solve the mystery.

1

Big Title

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

1

Big Title

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

1

Big Title

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

1

Big Title

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

1

Big Title

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

1

Big Title

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

1

Big Title

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

1

Big Title

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

1

Big Title

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

  • Before you start: which glow stick do you think will glow brightest after 2 minutes in water — the one in hot water, the one in cold water, or will they be the same? 

  • Write down your prediction and your reason before moving on.

1

Activate the Glow Sticks

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

  • Before you start: which glow stick do you think will glow brightest after 2 minutes in water — the one in hot water, the one in cold water, or will they be the same? 

  • Write down your prediction and your reason before moving on.

1

Activate the Glow Sticks

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

  • Before you start: which glow stick do you think will glow brightest after 2 minutes in water — the one in hot water, the one in cold water, or will they be the same? 

  • Write down your prediction and your reason before moving on.

1

Big Title

Snail Slime step 2.jpg

Gather your materials and get

ready for an amazing mission!

PREDICT

OBSERVE

EVIDENCE

ASK

SAFETY

TIP

PREDICT

  • Before you start: which glow stick do you think will glow brightest after 2 minutes in water — the one in hot water, the one in cold water, or will they be the same? 

  • Write down your prediction and your reason before moving on.

experiment background.jpg
The Crazy Scientist - Banner 9.png

Professor Picklebottom

The Glow Stick Mystery

Glow sticks may look the same, but sometimes one glows brighter than another.


Your mission is to discover what might be causing the difference.


Make a prediction.

Collect evidence.

Look for patterns.


Think like a scientist.

Can you solve the mystery?

The Crazy Scientist - Banner 9_edited.pn

Ages

7-12 yrs

Duration

min
5

Difficulty

Easy

Stage

Stage 2-3

Cite this resource 

Created by Darin Carr (BSc, DipEd)
NESA Accredited Teacher · Chemistry & Physics Specialist · 30+ years in-class teaching
Resource Version: 1.0
First Published: 

Last Updated: 

6 June 2026
3 July 2026

The Crazy Scientist LAB Learning System™

Every experiment follows The Crazy Scientist Lab Learning System™ — a simple way to help kids think like real scientists.

We

  • LINK to what they already know,

  • ACTIVATE curiosity through hands-on discovery

  • BUILD understanding that actually sticks.

link button.png
  • You’ve probably seen glow sticks at parties, concerts or night events.

  • Some glow brightly, while others seem much dimmer.

  • Could temperature be the reason?

activate button.png
  • Two identical glow sticks.

  • Same colour.

  • Same size.

  • Same age.

Yet one suddenly glows much brighter than the other.


Why?


Make your prediction before you investigate.

build buttons.png

You discovered that temperature affects how bright a glow stick appears.


This happens because temperature changes the speed of the chemical reaction inside the glow stick.

  • Warmer temperatures speed up reactions.

  • Cooler temperatures slow them down.

The same idea helps explain:

  • Why does food spoil faster in summer?

  • Why medicines are stored in fridges.

  • Why does your body heat up when fighting an infection?

Where else can you find examples of temperature changing a chemical reaction?

"Want the full teacher guide? The Crazy Scientist Lab includes classroom delivery tips, how to manage the WOW moment, differentiation for Stage 2 & 3, — ready to teach tomorrow."

Think Like a Scientist

Scientists don't just do ONE experiment; they change one part of the experiment (independent variable) and then see how it affects another part of the experiment

(dependent variable)

Change ONE variable and test again.

What happens if you use different brands of glow stick?

What happens if you submerge one more than the other?

DrP record.png
Dr Puddledrip’s Science Tip
the-crazy-scientist-life-jacket-student-worksheet-density-floating-experiment.jpg

🧪 Try it! Change ONE thing and test again. What did you discover?

Want to go deeper? Tap a section below to explore. ▼

The Science Behind It

What Makes a Glow Stick Glow?


When you snap a glow stick, something hidden inside breaks open.

Two chemicals that were kept apart suddenly mix together.

Almost immediately, the glow stick begins to shine.

But here’s the strange part…


There are no batteries.

No wires.

No electricity.

So where is the light coming from?


Why Was One Glow Stick Brighter?


Your investigation showed that temperature made a difference.

The glow stick in warm water glowed brighter.

The glow stick in cold water glowed dimmer.

This tells us that temperature affects what is happening inside the glow stick.

Scientists call this a chemical reaction.


What’s Happening Inside?


Everything around us is made of tiny particles.

When things get warmer, these particles move faster.

When things get colder, they move more slowly.

Inside a glow stick, faster-moving particles make the reaction happen more quickly.

That usually produces a brighter glow.

Slower-moving particles create a dimmer glow.


Did You Notice This?

The brightest glow stick doesn’t always last the longest.

Sometimes the opposite is true.

Why might that happen?

🤔 That’s a clue scientists investigate when studying glow sticks.


To see another chemical reaction releasing energy — but as heat and fire rather than light — try [The Invisible Fire Extinguisher]. And if you want to explore the light itself and how different colours behave, [What Colour is Your Shadow] shows you something equally surprising.


Want To Explore Further?


You solved one glow stick mystery.

But there are still more questions to investigate:


🔒 Why do glow sticks eventually stop glowing?

🔒 Can a glow stick be made brighter again?

🔒 Which colour glow stick lasts the longest?

🔒 Why do fireflies glow without snapping anything?


Continue your investigation inside The Crazy Scientist LAB™.

Teachers & Homeschoolers: Print-ready HD versions of this Science Behind It poster and companion G&T Challenge Card are available inside The Crazy Scientist LAB.

Extension: HPGE / Gifted Learners

Which Glow Stick Colour Lasts the Longest?


You discovered that temperature can change how a glow stick behaves.

Now investigate a new variable.


Your Mission

Compare two or more glow stick colours.

Observe them over time.

Record which colour stays brightest for the longest.


Think Like a Scientist
  • Make a prediction.

  • Collect data.

  • Compare results.

  • Look for patterns.

Try
  • Green

  • Yellow

  • Blue

  • Red

Teachers & Homeschoolers: Print-ready HD versions of this Science Behind It poster and companion G&T Challenge Card are available inside The Crazy Scientist LAB.

Vocabulary

Reaction
A process where substances change and form new substances.


Temperature
A measure of how hot or cold something is.

Know a parent or teacher who'd love this? Send it on! 👇

READY TO TEACH THIS
TOMORROW?

Dr puddledrip teach tomorrow thinking.png

Running the experiment is easy; however, teaching it well is another challenge.

Teachers often ask:

How do I adapt this for Stages 1,2 or 3?

What misconceptions will they have?

What syllabus outcomes does it cover?

What do I do with fast finishers?

How do I structure this for a full class?

What do I say when they ask WHY?

BUILD AROUND THE LAB LEARNING SYSTEM

Every resource is designed using our teaching framework.

link activate build.png

Inside The Crazy Scientist LAB

Everything you need to confidently teach science tomorrow.

lab notes crazy scientist lab.png
compass mapping.png
mission adaptations.png
teacher walkthroughs.png
quantum quest challenges.png
bonus worksheets.png

Opening early 2027. Join the Founding Member Waitlist

Dr Pud volcano1.png

Try Another Crazy Experiment

Keep the science going with these fun experiments

trans.png

Stage 1-3

090

MISSION

bio.png

The Sneaky Can

Can you move a can without ever touching it?

EASY

EASY

Can you move a can without ever touching it?

No strings.

No magnets.

No blowing.

Prof P cirle.png
trans.png

Stage 1-3

089

MISSION

bio.png

Hair-Raising Science

Can something invisible make your hair stand on end?

EASY

EASY

Can something invisible make your hair stand on end?

Prof P cirle.png
trans.png

Stage 1-3

088

MISSION

bio.png

Coolest Cup Challenge

Which cup will keep your drink cold the longest on a hot summer day?

EASY

EASY

Why do some cups keep your drink colder for longer?

Prof P cirle.png

Kids Science

Parties Sydney

High-energy, unforgettable birthday experiences

Dr Puddledrip banner 2025.png
primary-light-science-experiment-plasma-showsmtall.jpg

Amazing

Science Incursions in the Inner West

Bring the same

high-energy science into your school.

ChatGPT Image Aug 5, 2025, 03_45_21 PM.png

Teacher-Led Science Clubs Across Sydney

Available to schools in the Inner West and surrounding areas.

The Crazy Scientist - Banner 1.png

Hands-On Science Workshops

Interactive STEM experiences aligned to the NSW syllabus.

The Crazy Scientist - Banner 1.png
White TCS logo - Main Header.png

The Crazy Scientist® delivers curriculum-aligned science incursions, experiments, workshops and learning resources for Australian schools and families.

© The Crazy Scientist® Pty Ltd (ABN: 69 679 628 632). 
All rights reserved.

THE CRAZY SCIENTIST® is a 
registered trademark

(No. 1622307).

NSW K–6 Curriculum-Aligned Science Incursions

Get Free Science Fun in Your Inbox!

Be the first to get new worksheets, fun experiments & science surprises from The Crazy Scientist®!

No spam. Just awesome science fun!

bottom of page