Kids Science workshop - Make a self-flowing fountain that seems to defy gravity

Flowing Flask - Defying Gravity

Would you like to build a self-flowing fountain that seems to defy gravity?

What happens when air takes up space you cannot see?

In this hands-on workshop, children will create a Boyle Vase—a classic science demonstration that brings the invisible properties of air to life through a beautiful, interactive object. By decorating and experimenting with their own vase, participants will explore how air pressure, volume, and force interact in everyday systems.

Through guided activities, children will:

Discover that air occupies space, even though it is invisible

Observe how changing pressure affects volume, introducing the core idea behind Boyle’s Law

Explore why trapped air can support water, resist compression, and create surprising effects

Connect these principles to real-world applications such as breathing, syringes, pumps, and hydraulic systems

The workshop blends creative design with physical science, encouraging curiosity, experimentation, and problem-solving. Each participant will take home their completed Boyle Vase and a deeper understanding of how unseen forces shape the world around them.

Ages: 6+

Format: Hands-on, guided workshop

No prior science experience required