Libby’s Lab is a free iPad App full of exciting science experiments you can do in your own home.

Libby guides you through experiments that help us understand the natural world. The App features some of the University of Exeter’s to Earth Scientists.

In Libby’s Lab you can find out how to:

• Build your own volcano and make it erupt
• Make an amazing fluid that instantly turns to goo and then back into liquid
• Read the climate just from looking at leaves!

App features:

• Select the part of the world you want to explore
• Check the equipment ‘ingredients list’
• Once you have the ingredients, follow the video and the step by step guidelines

Once your experiment is complete:

• Listen to a University of Exeter Earth Scientist explain the science
• Answer a simple question to win a piece of lab equipment to build your own virtual science lab!

 

Inspired by the 80’s TV show, ‘Cooking with Mother’, Libby’s Lab provides a set of fun, guided, do-at-home science experiments that teach children and parents about a multitude of different ways in which the planet functions.

“We feel it’s important to make being a scientist obtainable and that all people should be represented, regardless of disability, ethnic background, social status or gender; we hope that Libby’s Lab will foster the next generational to think they can make it as a scientist too” 

“Our aim was to creature a culture that would mean children would perceive that science is for anyone who feels they enjoy it”.

Dr Claire Belcher

As female scientists are traditionally underrepresented in Physical Geography, Libby’s Lab is fronted by a female character (Libby) and features many female academics. The App also features scientists from different nationalities highlighting that scientific excellence crosses both gender and borders.

“Our main motivation was to create something that is simply fun for children and their families to do, so that they can explore Earth science and become as passionate as we are about it. But also we wanted children to grow up perceiving there are no barriers to taking part in science, by showing that gender or nationality doesn’t determine what you should do. We have tried to make Libby’s Lab as much for boys as it is for girls and welcoming to all.”

Dr Claire Belcher

You can download the App from the App Store.