Lesson: Bath Bomb Maker

Discuss the use of science and math in running a business.

• Ask: What business you would like to start? What kind of science and math would you need to know? Explain that you are going to read about a kid who uses science and math to run her business.

Watch a video about a young entrepreneur to learn how she manages a business.

• Play “Taking Care of Business with Jelani Jones.” Ask: What does Jelani do to run her business? (measures, mixes, and molds ingredients; packages and markets products, etc.) What else did you learn from the video?

Read an article to learn about the chemistry that makes bath bombs fizz.

• Together, read the first half of the article, ending just before the Q&A. 
• Write a simple equation representing the chemical reaction explained in the text: “citric acid + baking soda + other ingredients”→ “carbon dioxide gas + other ingredients.” Discuss how Jelani mixes the ingredients first, and then when the bath bomb is added to the water, something new (the carbon dioxide gas) is created.
• Finish the article. Then use the article’s Quick Quiz to check for understanding.

Carry out an investigation with two simple bath bomb recipes.

• Note: This fun experiment can be done at home. Most kitchens have baking soda and oil. If possible, provide each student with two single packets of diet lemonade mix. We chose diet lemonade mix because sugar is not recommended for use in a bath. If this is done in class, you can use plain citric acid. Common bath bomb ingredients kids can experiment with are salt, cornstarch, and baking powder.
• Distribute the Fizzy Work hands-on investigation. Read the directions aloud. Discuss the “Stay Safe” section. Ask: Why are those guidelines important? (The ingredients are nontoxic, but we don’t eat bath products; oil may make a tub slippery.) Why is it important in step 6 to check in with an adult? (An adult can determine which ingredients are safe.) Why would it be helpful to record step 4? (to make it easier to compare results) What characteristics of a bath bomb could you evaluate? (bubble size, quantity of bubbles, etc.)

Communicate information about using science and math to manage a business.

• Have students complete the skills sheet Read and Review.
• Share the article’s Learning Journeys (available below or at the end of the online scrollable article) with students to make a business plan or to reflect on relaxation.

⇨ Learning Journey: Bath bombs add some fun to a relaxing soak in the tub. What other ways do people around you relax? Survey your friends and family members to find out some of their favorite ways to relax. Then make an illustrated book describing many different ways that people relax and unwind.