Conductivity

 Let’s explore conductivity!  First HST has a homemade conductivity meter to test metals.  The Exploratorium has detailed instructions to make a conductivity meter with Christmas tree lights, a 9V battery, and a popsicle stick.

Not that I would go over the top. I do have a bunch of devices.  Why?  I always fear my home-school students will miss out on exposure to tools used in private or public schools. I bought a bunch of different devices I used when I taught professionally.   I have several digital meters.  Since we have the toys we might as well play with them.

Additionally, I have PASCO Spark devices.

Additionally,I have adapters for Vernier conductivity probes to use with TI 84 calculators.

The MicroChem kit and the RadMaste kits I bought also have conductivity meters.  

Kiddos love toys.  The Chem class can try all of the devices.  I have several solutions: salt water, rubbing alcohol, sugar, vinegar, and copper sulfate.  The teens may test the solutions with every device.  I do the same thing with microscopes. I have cell phone, USB, and traditional microscopes; the class learns how to use all of them.  The PASCO Spark devices and TI 84 graphing calculators both interface with sensors.  The Vernier Easylink is an adaptor which connects with other Vernier probes.

Most of the time we use the TI84 calculators with a sensor, such as the temperature sensor.  But, I have a bunch of the PASCO Spark devices, conductivity sensors, and temperature probes.  Who doesn’t like to play with a new toy?

Co-op Tips: Use Announcements!

 Do you use Google Classroom in your Co-op class?  I sure do!  In addition to assignments, I post how-to videos, articles, and helpful resources.  This year, I’ve been posting more announcements.  (A few screenshots are below.)  I can see a difference!  I still get texts and emails; the announcements help families stay on top of assignments.  For example, several kiddos missed the lab report deadline.  After I posted the announcement, more flew in.  (Not all.  Yes, I’m missing two.  Surprise!   All of the reports I did receive have errors and need editing.)  Job one is getting the assignments more or less on time.  I need any tool which helps.  Announcements are working.

Happy Halloween!

 Happy Halloween!  Steve Spangler has a host of experiments in this Halloween Science Archives.  (I feel obligated to include at least one link!)  One of my students gave me a porch goose—with clothes!  Max was pretty thrilled to see him ready for Halloween.  Is a porch goose my style?  Not exactly.  However, he looks jaunty with a bandana.  Have a wonderful Halloween!  I hope your family has a blast!

Lab Reports—a bit more…

Our Co-op classes often have one or two teens with learning differences.  My philosophy is that the teen can still learn.  We punt.  Sometimes the quiz or concept is just too hard.  But why not try?  One issue that arises with teens who have learning differences is lab reports.  One trick I use is to have the kiddos write his or her lab report in a slide deck: How to Write a Lab Report, DNA Lab, Lab Report Guide, and Stoichiometry.  I show teens these slide decks, which they can use as templates.  For some students, writing an essay is hard.  For whatever reason, slides are easier, especially if the sections are labeled in order.  See if this helps.  It does for my class!

Happy Halloween! Apologia Biology Blood Typing Labs

 Are you planning to type blood?  There are several options.  First, look at this Infograph about blood types; it’s one of the clearest images explaining different blood types.  Now for blood type labs.  First, many families buy Eldoncard blood test kits and call it a day. I have.

But, the Eldoncard tests are expensive.  I want the class to understand blood typing tests before we break out the expensive kit.  The answer is to first use simulated or fake blood test labs or kits.  Here  is a simple blood test lab; it requires milk, food coloring, and vinegar.  Here are the teacher’s notes for the lab.  I like this brand of simulated blood typing kits.  The kit’s instructions are similar to Flinn’s Blood Testing instructions.  You add drops of anti-sera to fake blood.  

Do you teach chemistry?  You may have some of these precipitates on hand to make this lab version of simulated blood.  Fancy.

Periodic Table Coloring Activity

 This is one of those activities you can do with both middle schoolers and high schoolers.  Periodic Table Coloring Activity or this version here introduces the families or groups.  You can go over any other details, too.  The images I have remind me I need to try to either color code it myself or see if one of the teens do a better job.  However, the activity is what counts.  

The high schoolers memorize around 50 elements.  Their elements’ cards give them a head start.  First, color-coded or annotate a periodic table.

Do you really do the lab?

 Yes! We finished the Naming and Forming Ionic Formulas Lab and used the MicroChem kits I bought used over the summer.  The class used the chemicals from the double replacement lab in the manual.  I added lead nitrate and cobalt chloride to use to react with the ions in the kit.   We even used the microscopes to observe a precipitation reaction.  They finished in one class period!  Whooooop!  Take a look.

Finally evidence that Young Explorers does labs, too.

The Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics class is lively. They are extremely enthusiastic about every activity. I still managed to take a few pix.  Barely.  We made Elephant’s Toothpaste (in their textbooks) and Reaction in a Bag.  We started Putting Ions in Their Hands and recorded the projects and the reactants in their notebooks.  Take a look.

More ways to infuse science into your existing curriculum—with cooking!

 You home-school!  Aren’t you already doing a lot of cooking?  It should be part of your science lessons!  First Start with a Book has Food and Cooking.  Stop by the library and pick up an armful of books.  National Geographic has a great introduction, STEM Cooking Tips.  Go to Treehouse Kitchen Skills.  What a great list!  The Homeschool Scientist has a post, Using Cooking to Teach Math and Science.  Functional Foods has Measuring for Cooking with 35 links.  Here is the test on measuring.  Here and here are two of the worksheets.  Now you have a complete unit!  Save these resources for the days you are indisposed or confined to the bathroom.  Once a week, add a cooking lesson to your schedule.  I recommend Friday Funday!  Build skills so the kiddos can make their own lunch those days you don’t have the band-width to cook.

Ionic Compounds Lab

Today we’re doing Forming and Naming Ionic Compounds Lab.  Kiddos combine cations and anions.  The compounds are double replacement reactions which form precipitates.  We’re going to observe reactions under the microscope, too.

I’m pretty excited.  We’re using the used Micro Chem kits along with ion solutions I’ve already prepared.  The lab is is pretty open ended.  Kiddos can try different ion combinations.  They do need to name these compounds.  I think this lab will take about two classes.  My hip is that seeing the reactions will help make naming the compounds more visual.  Hands-on activities usually help!

NASA’s Museum in a Box

 When I wrote about Composites, I had no idea that NASA has an entire Museum in a Box Series.  Museum in a Box is designed for groups. First Flyers and Rockets Away! are representative.  The kit has a list of materials.  Click on each lesson set and there is some history, a scripted lesson, a series of activities, templates, and images.  Any of these would make a good unit study—essentially, an instant lesson!  You may not have a giant Foam Wing; however several of the activities require simple materials, such as a straw and a quarter. The history and images alone are worthwhile.  Take a look!