AWANA Science Experiment - No Air to Breathe

It's been a while since I've posted any of my AWANA Science experiments, so here's one I enjoyed doing with my kids a couple weeks ago.

From Science and the Bible Vol2

Theme: God’s gift of salvation, not our works opens the way to heaven for us

Bible Verses: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Pr. 14:12)

Materials Used: empty aquarium or large bowl of pitcher, baking soda, vinegar, candle and match


Lesson: In 1986 Lake Nyos in West Africa, a huge cloud of invisible carbon dioxide gas bubbled up out of the lake. It spread out from the lake and people who thought they were breathing safe air were suddenly killed without warning because the air had become poisonous.

Just like the people who mistaken by thinking they were drinking safe air, we can also be wrong about the most important things in life.

People have lots of ideas about what it takes to get to heaven like baptism, doing good things, or repeating a prayer over and over. None of these things is enough. No matter how hard you try, you can’t do enough good things to get into heaven by yourself.

The bible is clear that salvation is a gift given to those who place their faith in Christ (Eph 2:8-9). Good deeds are fine, but they are not sufficient to gain eternal life. Christ has already paid the price for us- take him at his word

Illustration: Add about ½ cup of baking soda and vinegar to the tank. The mixture will bubble and foam. Carbon dioxide will be produced and will stay in the tank because it is heavier than air.

Light a candle and slowly lower it into the tank. The fire should quickly go out since carbon dioxide will not support a flame.

Though the tank looks clear and breathable, its contents are actually suffocating to the candle. In the same way, some people’s choices on how to get to heaven may look good, but will not save them.

My kids really enjoyed this experiment and we lowered the candle into the plastic pitcher several times. I'm having fun with my class. It's changed some in the last few weeks. The two boys on the right are new and very active kids. Two of the last three weeks I've had these 5 boys and only one girl in my class. It's an active bunch and I'm enjoying their energy and creativity (at least most of the time!).