How to Make Perfume for a 5th Grade Science Project
Up-and-coming scientists don't have to start by balancing chemical equations. In fact, one of the best ways to spark an interest in any subject matter is to demonstrate how it relates to something the child is already interested in or is familiar with. An excellent science project idea for a child in the fifth grade is making perfume. This activity allows the student to experiment with different non-toxic chemicals to create a unique product.
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Things You'll Need
- Essential oils: lavender, orchid, rose, ylang ylang, lemon grass, clove, vanilla, fern and cinnamon
- Eye dropper
- Bowl
- Funnel
- Jar
- 1/4 cup pure-grain alcohol
- 2 tbsp. water
Instructions
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Add your base essential oil. The base oil is also called the base note. Choose your favorite from a variety of base-note type oils because this is the scent that will last the longest. Common and easy-to-acquire base oils are vanilla, fern and cinnamon. Using a clean eye-dropper, add 8-10 drops of your choice of base oils to a bowl.
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2
Select your middle oil. The middle oil wears more quickly than the base oil so it is important to choose one that blends well with your base scent. Some common middle oils or middle notes are ylang ylang, lemon grass and clove. Rinse your eyedropper with clean water and add 8-10 drops of the middle oil to your recipe.
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Add the top oil. The top oil is an ingredient that wears off the quickest. Nice smelling top oils include rose, lavender and orchid. Use a clean eye dropper to add 8-10 drops of this scent to your bowl.
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Add the alcohol. The best alcohol to use in making perfume is pure grain alcohol. The instructor or parent should handle this part of the project. Add a quarter cup of alcohol to the bowl.
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Pour the mixture into a jar. Use a clean funnel to transfer your recipe into a jar with a tight fitting lid. Close the lid and shake the mixture thoroughly. Set it aside for at least two days.
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Add water. After at least 48 hours, open your jar and add 2 tablespoons of purified water. Replace the lid and shake again. Your perfume is now ready for application and demonstration at the science fair.
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Tips & Warnings
The longer you let your recipe set before adding the water, the longer the stronger the scent will be Smell your recipe after each step to make sure you like it. Experiment with different combinations. Take photos throughout the perfume-making process as part of your science fair exhibit.
Never drink any of the ingredients.
