Review: Magic Science for Wizards Only

Good Will has a listing for Magic Science for Wizards Only.  (Here is a detailed review.). Skip this sort of kit.  Look at the contents; color changing means red cabbage powder. (Here is an activity with a pH chart.). The Magic Science Kit has citric acid and baking soda.  Instead of a kit, try some of these potions.  Make a Lava Lamp.  Use the red cabbage powder to make color changing potions.   By all means, rename these concoctions!  See what I mean?  Buy a box of baking soda and a can of citric acid.  Red cabbage powder is pricey.  You can make your own extract from red cabbage.  (I have; it’s a pain—I buy the powder.). Skip the kit!  Go for the fun science!

What about Lego Education?

Can you tell I have tried loads of curricula?  Each summer we also try different camps.  The local Rec  Center offered Engineering camps.  We sent our grandson, Paul.  Paul’s daddy is an engineer and Lego fanatic.  The Engineering Camp was sponsored with Sylvan Learning and used WeDo by Lego.  (WeDo with HomeSchool Bundle). The camp instructor used Lego lessons to guide the kids.  Paul was not a fan; he likes Makey Makey, coding with Scratch from MIT, Homeschool Science at the Marine Corps Museum, and Coji.  (Coji and Scratch were more fun when Paul was six.). Generally, Paul likes Physics, Legos, Engineering.  He did not like the Lego WeDo lessons at all.  Take a look at the free lessons on the Lego site: Robust Structures.  Paul said the instructor read to them, possibly the same instructions from the site, which may have been the main problem.  I think the best way to teach engineering is to issue a challenge.  Ask the kids to build a strong structure and test it. For example, The Tall Tower Challenge is much less costly and more open ended.  Try these simple engineering challenges instead.

Teach STEM

Okay, in the last post I explained that most STEM kits are NOT worth the money.  The Young Explorers Science Series and activities are excellent curricula for elementary age children in Chem, Physics, Botany, Anatomy, Astronomy, and Zoology.

I do recommend Teach Engineering.  Are you already using a good science textbook from Apologia? Pick a variety of engineering topics that interest your child.  If you have not tried engineering or the design process before, start with catapults.  Start with a simple design and test the results when you change the fulcrum.  Take a screen shot of several designs and let the kids build and test several designs for distance or accuracy.

Next try Pop rockets.  Test first with different amounts of Alka-seltzer.  You can order film cartridges in Amazon.   Alka-seltzer is made with citric acid and baking soda.  Let the kids test different ratios of the two chemicals with water to determine the optimal ratio.  Teach Engineering has instructions to help guide your activity.

One more suggestion is Ball Drop.  Now try Stacked Ball drop.  Experiment with different ball combinations.  Here is more information.  I like to stack a bouncy ball on to a tennis ball.  You may have seen the Astroblaster.  It is the same principle.  Have a blast!

STEM Kits

I have taught in private and public schools before I taught home-school Co-op classes.  When I taught in private schools, the upper school science teachers determined the lower school curriculum.  Consequently, I have evaluated a number of STEM kits, curricula, and programs.  The best science series for elementary age children is Apologia Young Explorers Science Series.  I taught the Anatomy and Physiology program to a co-op group with children ages six to eleven.  My husband, Rob taught the Chemistry and Physics program.  I have evaluated the Zoology series when I reviewed portfolios for friends.  The Young Explorers series is outstanding.

When I taught the Anatomy program, we used the notebooking journals—both Junior and regular journals.  The kids did most of the Try-it’s in the book.  I did add some activities, such as diy blood with red water beads, bits of plastic felt platelets, and ping pong ball white cells.  The Chem and Physics program has loads of hands-on activities.  Most of my favorite demos are in the book, such as periodic table cookies.  Both programs offer robust curricula—provided you do the activities.  Home Science Tools has both the Anatomy ($27) and Chem and Physics ($89) lab kits on sale now.  

Carolina Biological and the Smithsonian have developed STEM programs for elementary and middle school aged children.  They kits are uniformly excellent; they are also extremely expensive—$1400 to $2500.  We used these kits at the elementary level; the teachers relied on these kits for science instruction.  We did use Delta Science Simple Machines for a fifth grade science module because the unit teaches gear ratios.  This kit is about $500.

Most STEM kits and programs are weak.  One exception is Makey Makey.  We bought a kit for $50.  It was easy to use and kits well with a unit on electricity.  We bought this hydraulic kit specifically for hydraulic demonstrations.  Generally, I do not think STEM kits or STEM subscription kits are good values. Look carefully at the contents in most kits.

 What is your best bet for elementary science instruction?  Find the Apologia Young Explorer books and notebooks on sale on eBay or Amazon.  Do the activities outlined in the books.  You may need to order materials such as lamp sockets or magnifying glasses.  But, I bet you have balloons and modeling clay already on hand.

Magiscope Microscope

Educational Innovations offers a Brock microscope, also called a Magiscope.  Good Will often has listings for about $20 with shipping.  This microscope is useful for young children.  I use digital microscopes with a laptop.  If you shudder to imagine your ten year old using your laptop as a giant microscope, the Brock microscope may work for you.  These are sturdy.  I plan to buy one and make a report.

Lab equipment

I am in the middle of organizing Science Camp for this summer.  I ran across a good deal for basic plastic labware—$6.99!  I had to share this.

Mad Science Camp: More tips

I'm already planning Mad Science for this summer.  I went through my documents.  Here is a spreadsheet with an overview of the plans for each day's activities.   Here is a list of materials.  Once I have an overview of all of the activities, I check my inventory and sort materials by activity into boxes.  Yes, it helps I have done most of these experiments many times. 

I plan to let the kids make their own science kits on the first day of camp.  I think we will use small boxes or coffee cans to store the contents for the science kits.  I will lay out all of the materials on a long table and have the kids pick up their supplies: craft sticks, wooden stir sticks, funnels, plastic test tubes, cassette cases (for the test tubes), safety glasses, plastic cups,  plastic pipettes, and simple chemicals, such as sugar, baking soda, citric acid, and  sodium alginate, the ingredients for edible chemistry.  Here are some edible chemistry experiments.  During the week, we will distribute more materials for the science kits, such as UV beads and pipe cleaners.  We will also have the kids label their chemicals with both the common name and chemical formula, such as baking soda and NaHCO3.  Start saving all of the instructions for each activity--ideally by the day of the week of camp.  Don't panic!!!  You can do this!

Mad Science: Organize Nature Camp

Here is another camp suggestion.  I like a nature camp.  This is another five day camp.  I try to have a guest speaker for each day of camp.  The last time I did this at our church I invited the Boy Scouts to teach knots on Monday, the local Forester to lead nature hikes Tuesday to teach the kids how to identify trees and plants, a water quality expert to lead water tests, and a wildlife group for Friday.  On Thursday, one of my friends wanted to teach some astronomy.  We had 50 kids attend the camp.  Every day we had stations.  For example, the kids went out in teams of six for the nature hikes.  The guest speakers may use as much time as they desire.

Here are some ideas for a nature camp: bird feeders (One easy bird feeder is a paper towel roll spread with Crisco, and dipped in bird seed.  Use nut-free bird seed to avoid any allergic reactions.), build bird houses, make raptor silhouettes (These silhouettes are placed on windows to reduce bird strikes.), Nature Bingo Cards (Bingo is always a good idea when the kids need a change of pace.  Have fun prizes.), Go Birding (Birding by Ear), Make and follow trail signs, Colored Fire Pinecones, (If possible, have the kids find their own pine cones.), Leaf Pounding on t-shirts (Make Leaf Prints, too.), Sidewalk Chalk on Trees (Make your own sidewalk chalk.),  Stream Assay with Macroinvertebrates, plant a riparian buffer, Toad shelters, ......too much?  You get the idea!

Mad Science Camp: Let’s Get Organized!

This summer, our family is hosting a week-long science camp for eight children.  I have organized many camps, events, and VBS programs.  I am comfortable planning camps for 50 kids.  Let’s talk about how to plan for a camp.  Let’s start with a small scale camp for ten kids.  Break your plans into steps.

Step 1: Pick a theme.  This summer our theme is Chemistry and Physics.  Here are a few ideas: Anatomy Academy, Nature Camp, CSI, or Earth, Wind, and Water.  Earth, Wind, and Water could include rock identification, weather activities, and water quality tests.

Step 2: What ages are the participants?  This summer, most of the kids are ten.  We will have a few teens and one or two younger kids.  The teens are helpers.  As we plan, we want to make sure the activities are fun for everyone, like slime.  We need extra activities for the younger campers when they lose interest.  Ten year olds can make different potions for 30-45 minutes.  Four year olds will make potions for about ten minutes.

Step 3: Determine the week and times.  We plan to host a camp in June from 9-12.  We may have a picnic lunch and go swimming after camp one or two days that week.

Step 4: Start locating activities.  I try to locate one dozen different labs and activities for each morning.  We also have games and songs planned.  I find the kids need a break and snack mid-morning.

Step 5:  Make a spreadsheet schedule of all the activities, materials, and time required.

Step 6: Organize materials.  Look at each day and write down each event with the supplies needed.  Next, inventory your science equipment: craft stir sticks, pipettes, cups, funnels,cylinders, etc.  I use boxes to separate different activities.  For example, I have a polymer box with borax, glue, liquid starch, pigments, etc. for slime.  I keep a box of general lab equipment: cups, plastic baggies, craft sticks, pipettes, etc.  Separate each activity in a different box.  Label it.  Compare the materials on hand with the materials needed for each activity.

Step 7: Now that you have your existing materials organized, start saving recycled goods useful for camp.  We have several boxes with plastic yogurt cups, Pringle cans, coffee cans, etc.  These items are clean and sorted.  We will be making chalk, slime, clubbed, and potions.  I will need loads of yogurt cups.  I can use plastic coffee cans for home-made science kits.

Step 8: Try to sort all of the materials by day. Mark a big box Monday.  Put smaller boxes with materials labeled by the experiment.   I did science camp at our church for several years.  We had 50 kids.  I had to haul all of the materials to church from home.  I stored as much as possible in the supply closet at church.  The day before camp, I hauled everything into the social hall at church.  I set up 12-15 tables.  The kids started camp in teams of six at a table.  I put my boxes with materials under long tables according to the day.  One table was dedicated to basic lab materials.  Before each day, I pulled the relevant boxes, checked to see that I had all of the materials, and set up.  I set up each day ahead of time.  I hate to set up the morning of an event.

Start now!  If you decide on your labs and experiments now, there is time to save egg cartons and cups.  You can look for bargains.  You can ask people to save materials you know you will need.  I live by my box filing system.  Things will go much more smoothly.

Mad Science Camp: CSI, Forensics, and First Responders

My Chem class is going to do this unknown white powder lab this week.  CSI or Crime Scene Investigations are terrific science camp activities.  The last time I did a CSI camp, the kids did this Mystery Powder lab.  (Use this lab for the scientific formulas for common household chemicals.). When we held the CSI camp, we invited a police officer to teach the kids how to map a crime scene and how to test for fingerprints.  Kids can extract DNA,  and test inks with paper chromatography.  If your budget permits, test with simulated blood kit, test for blood types with these cards, or Simulated Hair lab kit.  Our budget for camp is limited.  It is expensive to try to do a week long CSI camp.  Instead, do one morning of CSI as part of a First Responder’s Camp.  Our camp invited EMTs, an ambulance, fire-fighters, nurses, even a doctor from our church. Make suggestions to the first responders.  For example, ask the fire-fighter to demonstrate P.A.S.S. with a fire extinguisher.  Request a tour of the ambulance or fire truck.  Ask them to show how to strap a person to a backboard.  Check to see if the first responder could bring a CPR kit and give basic instructions.  Ask the nurse to explain how to perform a nursing assessment and to administer basic first aid.  Ask what materials are vital in a home first aid kit.  Make simple first aid kits.  Allow plenty of time for each guest.  Make sure to have extra activities on hand.  Some guest speakers need the entire morning; others finish up in thirty minutes.


Here is how I plan a morning with my guest speaker.   When the kids arrive, I have them start two fun anatomy labs: Foot to Height and Wingspan to Height.  How would a crime scene investigator use a foot print to estimate the height of the suspect?  The Wingspan lab is fun, too.  Measure several adults to demonstrate that adult height is related to adult wingspan.  These labs use rulers and meter sticks.  The time period is flexible as you wait for the guest speaker to arrive and set up.  The kids can take their own measurements and those of the other kids and adults.  The labs can take 15--30 minutes.  The lab can be interrupted and continued later in the morning.  Clean-up is quick.

I have several labs and activities planned.  One suggestion is to use a digital microscope with a laptop to look at microscope slides of blood and organs.  Be sure to test the microscope with your laptop and slides in advance.  Give the kids other fun items to look at under the microscope: dollar bill, foreign money, hair microscope slide, bone slide, hair from their arm, skin, etc.  Clean-up is also quick.
 Doesn’t this sound like fun?

Apologia Chemistry: White Powder Lab Forensics

Update: The conductivity probes were producing inconsistent results.  I got out these conductivity meters instead.  The materials tested may be too low for voltmeter sensors, which are designed to use with batteries.  The conductivity meters are used to test water and work better for this lab.  Sometimes you have to punt.

Update:  The White Powder lab is a good example of qualitative analysis or testing chemicals systematically to identify unknown compounds.

Thursday the class is doing a forensics lab, What is that white powder?  The kids start by testing several household chemicals: table salt, washing soda, baking soda, sugar, cornstarch, cream of tartar,  Epsom salts, washing soda, glucose or corn sugar, chalk, and plaster of Paris.  The kids test each white powder with universal indicator, iodine, water, HCl, Benedict’s reagent, and NaOH.  As the kids perform these tests, they record detailed notes about each chemical.  It is important to use small amounts of each chemical and to test samples separately.  The kids tend to run iodine, water, pH, etc. tests at once.  Step two is to test the same white powders as unknowns.  The kids may retest known powders to verify their identifications.  This lab takes at least one long class period and often two periods.  The kids are graded on correctly identifying all of the unknown powders.

If you have younger students, simplify the lab and use cornstarch, salt, baking soda, sugar, chalk, and Epsom salts.  You will get a variety of results with these chemicals.  Treat it as a CSI lab.  Use plastic art palettes, disposable pipettes, safety glasses, and disposable aprons.  Put the chemicals into small containers or plastic bags.  Label each one with both the chemical and common names, such as NaHCO3 and baking soda.  Put the unknowns in separate bags marked with numbers.  Don’t forget to make yourself a key.  The kids love this lab.  They feel like real scientists.

To prep for this lab, I pulled out my electric kettle.  The copper sulfate reagent is Benedict’s solution. The kids put hot water in a beaker and placed samples in the hot water bath and added the Benedict’s solution.  Only glucose reacts with Benedict’s; I did a demo for the kids.  When they start their unknowns, they will have to test all of the powders with Benedict’s.  To save time, when the kids narrow down their unknowns, glucose and sucrose are similar.  I will have them test just the two to differentiate glucose from sucrose.

I used two types of conductivity meters: Pasco Spark and Vernier with Easylink.  Basically, the kids recorded either a positive or negative charge.  Encourage the kids to stay organized and to write detailed notes about each reaction.  The kids should be able to complete testing on knowns in one hour.  Keep the knowns available.  Sometimes, they need to retest a known to confirm identification of an unknown.

 This is the TI 84 calculator with a Vernier Easylink and Vernier conductivity probe or sensor.

 It helps to stay organized.  The kids labeled craft sticks with the test reagents and the chemicals.

 This is the Pasco Spark unit with a Pasco conductivity probe used to measure the conductivity.

The lab requires a number of supplies, a high level of organization, and detailed notes.

Apologia Chemistry: Nuclear Atom

Today, we are working on some POGIL exercises: ChemActivity 1 The Nuclear Atom  (Key) and    ChemActivity 2 Atomic Number and Atomic Mass (key) (Scroll down to locate ChemActivity 2.).   Some of this material is new and some review.  I want to wrap up moles before we tackle electron configurations and flame tests.  I think the packet and a final Stoich review will take the entire class.

Wow.  This exercise was painful.  We completed the first part and skipped right to the mole section in the second part. No, I am NOT sure the kids understand the relationship between amu, atoms, and molar mass.  I think they understand the relationships among atomic number, atomic mass, number of protons and neutrons.  I believe they understand the relationship between charge and numbers of protons and electrons.  Am I certain?  Nope.  Here are pix of my notes from class.

You should keep a blog!

I teach Chemistry, Biology, and occasionally Physical Science to home-school Co-op classes.  A friend asked if I do labs.  He thought it would be impossible for a Co-op to offer high quality lab experiences for high school Chemistry classes.  I showed him my Google Classroom and blog.  The primary reason I keep a blog is to document my labs and activities.  The kids keep lab records, too in their notes.  I encourage families to maintain digital portfolios with loads of photos, test copies, notes, and exercises.   My kids have the records they need when they report to online schools.  You should, too!  Are you concerned about privacy?  Save your posts as drafts instead of publishing online.

Science Kits: Which types are the best values?

Good Will and eBay have eScience, Bob Jones, Apologia, and Labpaq kits as listings frequently.  I like eScience and Labpaq kits.  Some lab kits are better buys than others.  I look at a wide variety of kits; my husband and I teach Chemistry, Biology, and Physics classes.  Last summer I taught Human Biology; this summer we are planning a science camp for elementary-aged children.  So, I can use a wide variety of equipment.

I usually do not bid or buy Physics kits.  These kits usually have styrofoam cups, a glass stir rod, mini compasses, a protractor, etc.  This physics kit has a spring scale, digital scale, and tuning fork along with marbles, bolts, a ruler, straws, etc.  However, too often these kits are priced at $50 or more.  No thank you.  I bid and bought a QSL Physics Kit from Good Will two years ago.  I paid $30 with shipping.  Good Will and eBay offer QSL Chemistry, Biology, and Physics kits occasionally.  My price limit is still $35 with shipping.  But the QSL kits are uniformly excellent kits.

The Labpaq kits can be good deals.  This listing is a good example; the kit has a thermometer, digital scale, dissection kit, plastic labware, test tubes, test tube brush, rack, and test tube holder.  This Chem Kit is another good choice; the lab kit has a digital scale, thermometer, multi-meter, sterno, and a molecular modeling kit.  I always discount the chemicals.  Who knows how hold they are?

BTW, the QSL kits are usually designed for high school aged science students.  The eScience and Labpaq kits are designed for college students.  More and more of the nonmajor or introductory science classes are available online, especially through community colleges.  Some students manage to pass the class without doing any of the labs or experiments in the kits.  That is why there are a variety of kits available online, seemingly unused.  These lab kits can be great deals.  I promise to keep you posted.

Science Kit Again

Good Will has an eScience Kit listing that is a decent deal.  The kit has a plastic cylinder, several beakers, a glass thermometer, pipettes, and a few test tubes.  I cannot tell if the safety box has goggles or not.  The shipping weights are accurate.  Sometimes Good Will stores inflate the shipping weight increasing the shipping costs dramatically.  If you are looking for basic science equipment, this kit is priced fairly.  Don’t over bid.  Another kit will be available soon.

Apologia Chemistry: Solubility and Module 11

Today the Chem class redid the Solubility Rules Lab.  I was concerned about cross contamination.  I do teach before, during, and after labs.  For example, we reviewed solubility before resuming lab.  I also asked the kids to identify the types of chemical reactions are involved in precipitate reactions. (Double replacement reactions.)  Before lab, I asked them to identify the solubility rules they already understood.  For example, nitrate compounds are soluble.  Period.  Sodium and potassium compounds are soluble.  Period.  Most silver and lead compounds are insoluble---EXCEPT silver nitrate, silver acetate, lead nitrate, and lead acetate.

During lab, I usually just prompt them and answer questions. For example, the silver nitrate and lithium chloride did not produce a precipitate.  I had the kids add powdered lithium chloride to the silver nitrate to observe the precipitate.   After lab, we summarized their findings.  What are the Solubility Rules?  I make a point of emphasizing that the rules are based on lab observations--just like their lab observations.

After lab the class did reaction predictions for these precipitate reactions--double replacement reactions.  I reviewed the symbols for precipitate reactions.  We did one more set of reaction predictions and identified the solid precipitates.  I also went over the solubility rules lab rubric.

Solubility Rules Lab

Title: Solubility Rules Lab Report

Background:  What does solubility mean?  What is a precipitate? Define soluble and insoluble.  Use the Apologia Chemistry textbook.

Materials: List all of the materials, such as disposable transfer pipettes or wood stir sticks.  The students may summarize the reactants. For example, over one dozen different soluble compounds may be included in the materials instead of listing each compound, such as sodium phosphate solution.

Procedures: The procedures are summarized.  The various reactants, such as barium chloride and potassium sulfate are combined in reaction plates.  The student observes each reaction to note precipitates.

Data Chart:  The data tables my be hand-drawn or electronic versions.

Reaction: Predict, write, and balance one of the precipitate reactions observed during lab.  

Discussion: Identify sources of error.

Citation or Attribution: Use MLA formating to cite the textbook.

Science Kits Again

Here  is another eScience kit online.  While it has 0.01 shipping, the price is $30.  Look at the contents: food wrap, measuring spoons, a few test tubes, pipettes, glass rod, safety glasses,  and plastic beakers.  In the clear bags are miscellaneous items for specific labs: beans, rubber bands, paper clips, tape, etc. (Here is another eScience kit at Good Will.  Look at the photos of the contents.  There is an image of typical items in the small plastic bags.  BTW this kit is $15; however, look at the shipping!  Ouch!).  Note I am discounting the chemicals.  How old are they?  Are these chemicals I use in my labs?  Who knows?  Yes, I am tempted by eScience lab kits, too.  I’m giving this one a hard pass.  I have plenty of test tubes, plastic beakers, and safety glasses.  Keep your eye out for a Labpaq or eScience kit with a digital scale or mortar and pestle instead.

Apologia Chemistry: Metal Reactivity and Solubility Lab

The kids are working through the two labs: metal reactivity and solubility lab.  The class completed the metal reactivity and did several additional labs to determine which metals are more reactive and can displace other metals.  Yes, I could have given them the notes.  Instead, the kids combine the metals and determine which metals are more reactive by adding, say, zinc to magnesium sulfate and magnesium to zinc sulfate.  The metal reactivity series is based on observations.  The kids did additional reactions to confirm the metal reactivity series: zinc and magnesium sulfate, magnesium and zinc sulfate, iron and zinc sulfate, zinc and iron chloride, aluminum and zinc sulfate, etc.  Initially, the kids observed the magnesium and zinc are very reactive; the aluminum and iron appeared less reactive.  Aluminum is quite reactive.  It appears to react more slowly.  So, we put 0.4 g of aluminum with 0.2 M copper chloride solution again.  After a bit of discussion, we performed several reactions to see which metals aluminum displaces.  We hammered home the idea that single replacement reactions are based on a metal’s reactivity.


The kids are still working on the solubility rules lab.  Again, I'm having them make observations and draw conclusions from their observations.  I give heavy hints.  For example, the reactants in the lab are all soluble. Another hint is to react silver nitrate and lead nitrate with as many compounds as possible.  We established that nitrate compounds are soluble.  We also discussed the meaning of soluble, insoluble, and precipitate.  I had assumed these definitions would be obvious.  They are NOT.  Here are some pix.

Apologia Science: CBL2

Good Will online has a CBL 2 listing just added. (This is a similar listing on eBay for $30.)  These devices require a TI 83/84 graphing calculator.  The CBL collects the data from sensors or probes and sends the data to the graphing calculator, usually to the STAT lists.  This listing has a thermometer, light probe, and voltage sensor.  So, the sensors alone are useful even if the CBL does not work.  Often, the owners are intimidated by the devices and they remain unused.  Here is a lab manual.  Here is a ‘quick start’ manual.

These devices are NOT hard to use.  There is a link cable which connects the CBL to the TI 83/84 calculator.  Follow these instructions.  Be sure to use the cable link to connect the CBL2 to the Ti 83/84.  You need a TI 83 PLUS or a TI 84 calculator.  The TI 83 plus has apps and can accommodate the Data Mate app.

Yes, I know I push technology for home-schoolers.  Really, I push cost-effective technology to home-schoolers.  The CBLs are good examples of affordable technology.

I went down to the basement classroom to trouble shoot the CBL 2.  (I just bought one from Good Will about two weeks ago.)  Here are excellent instructions to quick-start collecting data on the CBL2 with a graphing calculator.  I took photos.  I will talk to my kids and see if we can set up an afternoon to do some videos.

                                 My set is identical to the current CBL2 listing on Good Will.

                       I used the TI 84 to test the CBL.  You need a TI 83 plus with the Data Mate app.

                                            Here are the contents with the CBL 2 box.

  The probes included with theCBL2 connect to the TI 84 with Easy Data—preloaded on TI 84 with Easylink.

                         This is how the TI 83 calculator connects on a cradle with the CBL2.

                                  Hi    The probe is inserted into the lowest channel available.

                                 The cable link connects between the CBL2 and the Calc.

     You need a TI 83 plus and must download the DataMate app from the web with the USB connector shown on the right. Here is a link to the TI USB connecting cable for TI 83 calcs.

  The TI 84 had Data Mate preloaded.  I followed the directions to collect temperature data from the Quick Start guide from Mighty Grammarian.

                        See?  The data collected in stored in L1 (trials) and L2 (temperature data)

Apologia Chemistry: Three Labs

The class nearly completed all three labs.   My goal is to complete a minimum of 25 labs.  Next week, we will finish the Solubility Rules lab and debrief all three labs.  Our digital scales are not sensitive enough to determine the difference between the mass of aluminum before and after for the Limiting Reactant lab.  I will review limiting reactants with the kids and predict the theoretical yields together next week.  The second lab was the metal reactivity lab.  The idea is to observe the manner several metals react with copper II chloride solutions.  The difference is distinct.  The only issue was the mossy zinc turns black quickly.  Zinc is more reactive than iron nails.  The kids did not observe the immediate change and thought iron was more reactive than zinc.  The kids are completing the solubility rules lab.  Next time, I need to review the purpose of each lab, discuss the results, and write equations.  We did all of that today.  The problem is the kids just forget.  Below are photos.  I like to include pix because they can be used for the children's digital portfolios.