Young Explorers Human Anatomy: Free Respiratory Notes and Lab

Hey!  Flinn has a free Respiratory System Notes and Lab.  Free!  Take a look.

Mad Science Camp: Pressure Straw and Pressure Bottle

Here are two fun activities for pressure: Straw Pressure Popper and Pressure Bottle.  Below is the video demonstration.  I can’t wait to try these!

Apologia Chemistry: Flinn Scientific at Home

Hello!  Flinn Scientific has AtHome Science Education!  Now, I love Home Science Tools, an amazing resource for home-school families and Co-ops. I will remain a loyal customer.  But, I miss the lab kits from Flinn Scientific.  Just look at the at-home-activities for Chemistry!    Many activities, such as Plotting Trends are Flinn Fax or abbreviated lab activities.  I am excited because Flinn had not been friendly to home-schoolers.  I have had a hard time getting Flinn to send relatively safe materials to the Church office for Co-op—such as The Periodic Table Chart activity, which is entirely cardboard!  Right now the At-Home Science Kits are a bit of a mixed bag, both in price and content.  However, the kits are on sale with free shipping, 50% off with the  HOMEKIT promo code. But, hurrah!  Flinn is finally recognizing home-schoolers!  It only took a pandemic!

Science: Are you familiar with GLOBE?

Have you heard of GLOBE?  Here is a brief overview.  GLOBE is an international environmental program, sponsored in the U.S. by NASA.  In some countries, the United Nations sponsor GLOBE.  For years, I sponsored environmental programs at private and public schools.  I was certified; GLOBE protocols take a commitment.  You must be willing to collect data at least monthly.  For the most part, I used the protocols, rather than submit regular data.  I used the etraining modules frequently, especially the atmosphere protocols. 

How can home-school families use GLOBE?  Start with Atmosphere.  You do NOT need to register to download the etraining modules.  Now, look over the learning activities for Atmosphere.  Your kids can spend a month just on Atmosphere.  Really.  They can spend another month on Hydrosphere.    The Teacher’s Guide to Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Pedosphere, Earth as a System, and GPS.  is free.

GLOBE has veeerrrrry detailed instructions and protocols for everything, including homemade instruments, such as this soda bottle thermometer. this secchi disk, this clinimeter,  a frost tube, ozone and wind direction instruments, kick net, instrument shelter, and densiometer.  Overwhelmed?  See why I say to start with Atmosphere?  Do the etraining modules, select one or two learning activities, build two or three instruments, and try collecting data.  You will have a VERY good idea if you and your kids like GLOBE.

I worked with a GLOBE coordinator in West Virginia for several years.  Guess what?  Home-schoolers do GLOBE.  Do you live near a NASA Educator Resource Center?  Many Centers sponsor GLOBE and can lend equipment.  Here is a brochure from the NASA center in Fairmont, WV.  These resources are free.  I hosted several workshops through NASA and included home-school families.  You can, too!

Mad Science Camp: More Weather Ideas

Earlier this month, I posted some ideas for Weather as a camp theme.  What about making a rain gauge?  What about building a wind direction instrument? (Scroll down for the instructions.  Here are instructions for measuring wind direction.). Here are instructions for a simple weather vane and anemometer (wind gauge).  Here are more simple weather instruments to build.  Kids like to build their own equipments and make their own kits.

BTW many of the protocols and weather resources, such as a Cloud Chart, are from GLOBE, an international environmental program, sponsored in the U.S. by NASA.  (GLOBE is School, not Camp.  If you are considering long-term weather studies, you might build the instrument shelter to house weather equipment.  The standard GLOBE Program kit is about $540.).

Our little household is a bit obsessed with weather and is considering more equipment.  And by household, I mean my husband and grandson—not me.  Why?  Weather is a nice clean Science; neither of them like anything icky or too messy.

Mad Science: Solar Theme

Hey, it’s almost summer.  Are you looking for fun science themes for Camp?  How about Solar.  Obviously, make solar ovens or try this version.  They generally work to toast marshmallows.  Use ultraviolet color changing beads to make bracelets.  Have you tried UV color changing nail polish?  Have you tried Nature Prints?  Kids like construction paper sun prints, too.  We weigh dark construction paper down outside with rocks instead of clear glass or plexiglass.  I bought the materials to make mason jar solar lights one time for Mad Science Camp.  We had too many kids with short attention spans to try it.  Maybe this summer we can.  Campers like solar balloons.  Take them out on a very hot day.  Don’t forget to attach twine or string to tether the balloon.  Ask me how I know.  The last time I did solar-themed activities at Camp, we explained about A Liter of Light project.  We used huge boxes and made liter lights for the kids.  Littles spent loads of time in the boxes.  My friend, Marisa, replaced the liter bottles with plastic, colorful drink cups, and added LED tea lights.  She is tremendously creative.  We have a giant box waiting in the basement.  I will keep you posted.

Mad Science: Are plants science? What about a garden?

Look, I am no gardener.  I have had some Botany and done quite a few environmental projects: a green roof, wetland enhancement, rain gardens, and planted hundreds of trees.  Hey, there is nothing life a garden if you want to attract wildlife!  Just ask my husband.  We have many sightings and an on-going battle with Mr. Beaver, a groundhog.  Our neighbor is from D.C. and thought it was a beaver.

Our little household has been planting seeds.  There is a great deal of science in gardening.  Start by checking the soil pH.  We tested the soil in our raised bed because I was afraid the pH was off for vegetables.  Once you determine the pH of your soil, research the optimal pH for vegetables and how to amend the,soil.  We have been using a mix of composted garden soil, top soil, and humus for our plants.  We have been experimenting with different types of containers: ceramic pots, plastic pots, planters,  plastic grocery bags, reusable, woven grocery bags, and a commercial felt grow bag.  (Our son-in-law just gave us the felt bag; we plan to grow carrots in it.).

How is this Camp?  Let your kids make the decisions.  What do they want to grow?  What type of soil does it need?  Can the plants thrive in a grocery bag?  Which is better, plastic or woven grocery bags?  How often should they water?  Do the plants need fertilizer?  What type?  Which plants can grow together?  Could you plan a patriotic garden?  A rainbow garden?  An Italian herb garden?  A pizza garden?

Your kids might like to build a rain barrel.  Here is an idea for a mini-rain barrel from a detergent bottle.  Plan to paint the rain barrel.  (I had AP Art students paint a series of rain barrels with images from Monet—scroll down this slideshow.  The presentation has loads of environmental projects, too.).

What about Camp projects for your back yard?  The plant projects are on the back deck.  We have a small raised bed, tiny rain garden, a bat house, and bird house, too.  Here are ideas for kids to promote wildlife in their yards.

What else?  Our Mad Science Nature Camp has the campers making bird feeders.  (Check the bird seed if your child has a peanut or tree nut allergy—or wear gloves.  We use Crisco in place of peanut butter for the same reason.). If your budget permits, let the kids build and paint birdhouses.  Birds do not care if the exterior is bright pink and has glitter.  Another idea is to set up bluebird boxes.  One Mad Science Camp at our church, the Knights of Columbus built bird boxes for the kids and helped them install them on the church property.  You can, too!  Below are some photos of our deck and yard projects.

Mad Science: Artsy Photo Souvenirs

Remember when I said our Camp isn’t strict?  I meant it.  My ‘go to’ souvenir is photo canvas boards.    When I direct Camp or VBS we take photos of each kid to make prints.  The kids glue the photos to canvas boards.  Often the teens will ask for extra canvas boards to make more for themselves.  Dick Black sells 4 x 4 packs of 24 canvas boards for under $12; right now they are on sale for $8.34.  I like Mod-podge; white glue works well, too.  My grandson, Paul, just ten, took several photos outside and edited one.  He is making Christmas presents.  Below are the steps.  Trust me, this is easy.

Here are our supplies.

On the left is the image we cut to size.

Paul pasted the image to the canvas.

Next, he covered the photo with Mod-podge.  Coat he surface in the same direction.

Be sure to coat the image completely.

Update: Mod-Podge mini-canvas prints make great little gifts.  Below are a few more examples.

The finished image has a crease.  Next time, Paul will use the Mod-podge  to adhere the print to the canvas.

Mad Science: Color Theory Fun!

Okay, is color mixing art or science?  Vernier has a Color Theory experiment using flashlights and cellophane.  Here are details using cellophane pieces to mix colors and intensify colors.  What can you make?  Littles can make color paddles, similar to color mixing lenses.  You can make cling art, too.  Want more science with color?  Make homemade chalk.  We mix ours in 3 oz. plastic cups; the chalk slips right out when it dries.  Buy one set of Crayola 3D Chalk with glasses.  Blend batches of different colored chalk and use the glasses to see the art in 3D.  The science is Chromadepth.  Red and blue chalk work best to produce 3D.  We have tried inexpensive 3D glasses at Camp with poor results.  We found it worked better to share the Crayola glasses.  Campers decided 3D chalk qualified as science.  The kids made murals outside after Camp for an hour.  I can attest 3D chalk was a hit.

Apologia Chemistry: Wide Mouth Flasks

Good Will has two listings (here and here) for wide mouthed flasks or Erlenmeyer flasks.  The price shipped from Texas to Virginia at a bid of $10 is about $25.  A case of 12 retails for about $50.  I use borosilicate beakers more often than flasks.  However, you can perform and heat most chemical reactions in a flask instead of a beaker.  A set of flasks will be more useful to a Co-op than an individual household.  Check out the flasks.

Mad Science: Tools for Young Campers

Save yogurt cups, craft sticks, and plastic bottles for Camp. We use tons of small cups, plastic spoons, and pipettes.   Okay, what other tools are useful for Camp?  Safety glasses.  I have about two dozen pairs of safety glasses.  Aside from lab, we use them for nerf wars and lawn chores, like mowing.  What else?  Magnet Wands.  Do you have a large family group with cousins?  Zulily has a set of 24 magnet wands for $26.99.  The deal ends in about two days. Plan on an indoor-outdoor magnet hunt.  Create a magnet challenge.  Littles love magnet hunts and challenges.  Ask your older kids to partner with a sibling.  Take photos!  Let the older child assemble a slideshow with Google Slides.  Instruct your child to save the photos to Drive, download the photos to the computer,  insert them to Slides, and annotate the slides with captions.  Bonus points if the photos and captions are funny.  What else?  Giant magnifiers.  Build a photo projector with an old cell phone.  Look at every experiment with the magnifier—such as bubbles.  Magnifiers and large lenses are investments which can be used for School science.  I like them as part of a science kit birthday present.  Get going!

Apologia Chemistry: More Resources

Since I have been quarantined and teaching remotely, I have discovered more resources: TEKS Texas Gateway, NYC Learn at Home, MI Virtual Chemistry (Available only through the end of July), PhET simulations, Fiveable, Purdue Chemistry for Beginners, and STEM Learning.  These may prove invaluable next fall if we have a blend of instruction at home and in Co-op class.  Take a look.

Apologia Science: Teach with Tech

Update: Today’s video-chat with Meet was better.  The only issue was my ten year old grandson making signs behind me to Zach.  Aaaarrrrggghhhh.


Are you teaching remotely, too?  I am a reluctant convert to remote instruction.  I like a live class!  (I had had bad video-conferences fifteen years ago and was scarred by my experiences.)  Over the past 2 1/2 months, I have been quarantined and wanted to finish Chemistry well.  Up until now, I have limped along with a combination of Google Classroom, Blogger, and YouTube.  Usually, when a kid has a problem, he FaceTimes a classmate.  I was backed into a corner and needed to help a kid struggling with Organic—the videos just weren’t cutting it.  Happily, Google just released Meet to Gmail users free.  Yeah!  I downloaded Jamboard, Google’s whiteboard, to my iPad.  I had never used Jamboard; I had used Meet exactly once.  So, I had some anxiety with flashbacks to tele-conferences with a giant screen.

What do you need to use Jamboard: a stylus and a tablet?   I bought an Adonis stylus for about $9.  I use an iPad as a tablet because it runs apps reliably.  Jamboard, from Google, opens a new page with a + sign—just like a new assignment in Classroom or a new post in Blogger.  If you haven’t used a digital whiteboard, such as Smartboard, or Mimio, play with the icons on the left of the page to locate the eraser and to change the width of the digital pen’s script.

Meet is easy to start.  You schedule through Google Calendar.  The screen icons are clear and easy to navigate.  I used a set of headphones for the video call.  It improves both sound quality and audio.  I was able to connect with Zach remotely easily via a laptop.  We only met for five minutes.  Why?  Zach was connecting to Meet in the car.  Really. Surprisingly, the video quality was fine; Zach’s end kept stuttering making it difficult to answer questions.  We are going to try again tomorrow when I should have recovered from my panic attack.

Mad Science Camp Colorful Chemistry and Physics: You should add Art!

Mad Science Camp begins next week at our house as we transition to summer School hours—three hours in the morning.  (Hey, before you judge, we started School August 12th, last year.)  One camp- tested activity is Colorful Chemistry and Physics.  My plan includes Colorful lava lamps, Colors on the Move, Sunscreens tests with UV Beads,, CD Spinners, and Light and Color—basic optics.  The last one is more school than Camp.

Mad Science Camp is not strict; if it’s a fun game or song, it belongs at Camp.  The same goes for Art.  Try Slime Art.  Test with different slime recipes.  Spring for paint by number kits.  My favorite are the Faber-Castellated Museum Series.  What is Camp without souvenirs?  My favorite is this DIY Photo Canvas.  We take snaps during camp and print photos.  I have used both Modge-Poge and Elmer’s glue with photo prints on to canvas board successfully.  It’s a Camp favorite.  Let’s get started!

Mad Science Camp: Engineering and Cub Scout Badge

Our little household is hosting School in the mornings and Camp in the afternoons.  We have been a bit flexible and have added Cub Scout Badge work to the mix.  One Cub Scout badge is Engineer.  (The Cub Scout Handbook has more ideas for Chemical, Civil, Defense, Electrical, Mechanical, Structural, Aerospace, or Computer engineers.). Our grandson, Paul, almost 10, loves Cub Scouts and enjoys badge work.  Look at all of these Project ideas!  Let your kids select the projects.

Many engineering activities dovetail with Camp.  Start with Teach Engineering’s Design Process—also part of the badge.  What about projects?  I am glad you asked.  Here is information about catapults and catapult instructions.  How about stomp rockets from NASA?  These instructions from National Geographic are similar to the example in the Cub Scout handbook.  (Here are is a good photo tutorial.).  Civil engineers build bridges; try building a spaghetti bridge.  What about the Leaning Tower of Pasta?

If you have a group, consider STEM challenges for engineering: Newspaper Tower, Stand, and Chair..  Build a paper table.  These paper structures follow general Engineering design processes.  Just for fun, issue a Cup Tower Challenge.  Who can build the tallest cup tower in one minute?

What about School?  Take loads of photos.  Consider making YouTube videos with instructions. Have your child assemble the video links, and photos into a slide presentation to document the badge requirements to submit to the den leader.  We have been showing our grandson, Paul, how to use the camera’s  SD card to transfer photos to his slide show.  Paul writes the dates and activities in a Google doc to save with the slide show on Google Drive.   Have your kids organize the video or slide show to explain the engineering process, types of engineering fields, and examples of engineering projects to make these activities part of School.  Look at you!  You are teaching engineering, doing science, and integrating computer applications—while earning badges.

Mad Science Camp: Hot Wheels Rocket Car

We are about to test the Hot Wheels Rocket Car Kit.  I know, I know!  A kit?  It was a birthday present for our grandson, Paul.  My husband wanted to save it for Newton’s third law later this summer.  Nope.  We need to test this now.  We used baking soda and vinegar.  No results.  The booster and car would not separate.  So disappointing.  My husband, son, and grandson tried several times over two days.  Nothing.  Sigh.

Mad Science Camp: Stream or Pond Study

Since we have the entire summer ahead to plan Science Camp, one activity kids enjoy is a stream study. We have a retention pond and small stream behind our house.  The first step is to document the stream.  Take photos of the pond or stream.  Note the location with a geocaching app.  Observe all signs of wildlife in the immediate area: bird song, toad calls, geese, ducks, squirrels, insects, tracks, scat, etc.  Measure the stream flow. (See video below.). Create a food web.  (Here are instructions with an answer key.). Compile your photos into a slide show. Usually, kids like to select themes and background for the slides.  If your kids like to draw, scan their pictures or food webs and save them as part of the slideshow.  (Here is a slideshow I used to represent my environmental program at events.).  Make it fun—not school.

Magnetic Stirrer

I like chemistry equipment.  Good Will has a listing for a mini magnetic stirrer.  These devices stir reactions with a magnetic rod inside a beaker.  I bid on these to show the kids.  I want my students to have exposure to all types of equipment before they go to college.  This is one of the types of equipment the kids like to use.

Kings Dominion Theme Park at home

Are you missing amusement parks? We are—especially roller coasters.  Here are virtual rides.   Did you know Kings Dominion Theme Park has fun things to do at home?  One of Kings Dominion’s ideas is making a marble run; here is Frugal Fun’s marble run made from craft sticks and a straw roller coaster.  Kings Dominion’s sister park, Carowinds, has similar activities and coloring pages, including this mask.  FYI, here amusement park educational resources.  Whenever, the amusement parks open, consider this Amusement Park Physics Kit—or make your own accelerometers. (Here is my blog post on Amusement Park Physics.) Full disclosure: When I have a bigger group, I buy the Pasco Amusement Park Kit for the kids to make the accelerometers in advance to use at the Park.   Here’s hoping we get to Kings Dominion soon!  BTW, Good Will has a K’nex Roller Coaster Kit.

Apologia Chemistry: Coffee Can Calorimeter and Specific Heat of Metals Lab

Usually when I teach Thermochemistry, the kids determine the specific heats of metals with a Coffee Cup Calorimeter.  I use density cubes for this lab.  (You can use pennies as the metal.  Pre-1982 pennies are copper; post-1982 pennies are mostly zinc.)  These calculations are cumbersome.  Below is a video describing the calculations.

Apologia Chemistry: Soda Can Calorimetry Calculations

My class is working on Calorimetry, including the Soda Can Calorimeter.  The video below uses the sample data in the lab to explain the lab calculations.

Apologia Chemistry: Heating Curve Data

My kids are completing Thermochemistry, Modules 2 and 13.  I am offering three different lab choices.  The first lab is Heating Curve of Water.  This lab can be performed with a beaker of ice, a thermometer, and the stove.  If you do do not have a thermometer, your teen can graph this sample data.  Here is a sample graph and description of a heating curve.  The set-up instructions are below.

Apologia Chemistry Modules 2 and 13: Calorimetry Labs

Modules 2 and 13 are Thermochemistry.  My kids are choosing between these three labs: Heating Curve of Water, Soda Can Calorimetry, and Coffee Cup Calorimetry.  Below are video instructions to set up each lab.  We are learning remotely; the child’s materials at home will determine her lab choice.  I believe the Heating Curve of Water lab could be performed with a pan of ice, a stove, and a thermometer.

                                                              Heat Curve Set -up

    

Soda Can Calorimetry Set-up

   
                                                      Coffee Cup Calorimeter Set-up

Mad Science Camp: Optical Illusions

Here I am, back on my campaign to avoid science kits.  Today the kit is Optical Illusions Science Kit.  I like optical illusions.  Let me share a few ideas I use at Camp: Flip Sticks (Template), thaumatropes, disappearing coin bank,  Hologram toy, and CD Spinners.  Kids especially like Flip Sticks and CD spinners like the one below.  See?  You don’t need a kit.

Apologia Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics: Periodic Table

Update: Here is an idea for making Element Superheroes.  Here is Potassiman.  Here is a detailed rubric.  Paul, nine, like to draw.  We have a winner!

 I am a Chemistry teacher.  Periodic Tables are important.  Lesson 3 has Sugar Cookie Periodic Table. I promised we would make cookies and decorate elements.  One Try This! matches Legos and atomic numbers.  We are going to make a Lego Periodic Table; here and here are my inspirations.  We are going to Build Compounds, Adopt an Element or Elements Trading Cards, and Color Periodic Tables for school.  Paul will build, label, and take photos of his molecules.  I will post pix.

Mad Science Camp and Apologia Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics: Get Started!

Our little household is finishing Zoology 1 and starting Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics in about two weeks.  Why?  We had been planning Mad Science Camp with a Chemistry and Physics theme.  Our area is still in active Quarantine; VBS, Cub Scout Camp, County Summer Camps, and Mad Science Camp are all canceled.  So, our family is going to do four core subjects in the morning and fun in the afternoon?  Why?  We anticipate our neighborhood pool, play dates, even the playground will be out of bounds all summer.  We will need to fill time and school helps.

What are we planning for fun?  Mad Science Camp was planned for one week with three hours in the morning.  We hope to stretch Chemistry and Physics labs, demos, and activities over two months during the afternoon.  Afternoon fun will include Cub Scout badges, cooking lessons, PE, Art, programming, etc, too.

Here is our plan to use Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics.  We will use the textbook and note booking journal as part of core classes in the morning.  The textbook has loads of Try This! activities.  Some are more academic than others.  Lesson 1 has a density lab, density column, sink or float activities, some magnetism, and a lava lamp project, most of which are fun.  We will use density cubes for a Density Cube Lab with a lab report as part of morning school work.  We will do the other fun activities in the afternoon.  We won’t do all of them; some activities Paul has already tried, such as the aluminum boat float.  We will take loads of photos to post on social media for family and friends.  No doubt I will do some extensions and adaptations for many of these experiments.  Let’s make this fun!

Apologia Science: Digital Portfolios

Many of you are veteran home-schoolers. Do you keep digital portfolios?  I started this blog for my Home-school Science Co-op classes.  Online schools require vidence labs were completed.  I posted dozens of photos to my blog as the kids worked on labs or activities.  When I taught in private and public schools, I had had access to Learning Management Systems.  As soon as Google Classroom became available free to individuals, I jumped on it for my Co-op classes.  I want complete records for my science classes.

Here is how I keep digital portfolios.  I post assignments, tutorials, grades, and samples into Google Classroom.  Here is a screenshot of my resources. Google  Classroom archives to Google Drive.  I scan or take photos of completed work.  (I had been scanning into a thumb drive using the copier at the local library until Quarantine closed the libraries locally.  The copier produces better images.)  I attach scanned documents, essays or reports written in Google Docs (or emailed to me) into Classroom to keep records as I post grades.  Google Classroom can produce a spreadsheet with grades.  I am using a combination of Google Suite tools, including my YouTube video channel to both produce, archive, and document content for my Co-op classes.

Why?  Usually in May or June, online academies request grades for Co-op classes.  I can submit grades on a spreadsheet, copy my blog address, and include work samples and photos with my science credentials to the online schools.  Usually, I include a brief letter with relevant links; creating records for a digital portfolio to submit takes much less time than sorting through stacks of assignments.

Here is what I do.  As soon as an assignment is completed, I take a photo or scan a document.  (Yes, grainy photos count.). When I add a grade for an assignment to Google Classroom, often I include the photo or scanned document.  When the kids create reports, the pdf documents or Google Docs can be attached to Classroom, too.  Every lab or hands-on activity requires photos.  I add these to my blog; the blog becomes part of my digital portfolio.  I am in the habit of making daily posts; I usually have to submit digital portfolios with evidence of labs completed to several online academies.  I want my Co-op classes to count for high school credit.  I invite Academy advisors to join my Google Classroom to see the depth and breath of my assignments.  They receive links from my blog.  Don’t do this alone.  I am confident your kid can help.  Get him in the habit of labeling, scanning, and photographing his work.  Let her nag you about entering grades and documents to Classroom.  Let teens keep their own records in your Drive or on the household laptop.  Yes, this is a lot of work.  The pay-off comes in June when you are submitting your portfolio.

Mad Science Camp: Bubbles

Update: Look at these instructions for making giant bubble wands.  Very cool.


Usually, at camp, we make a big batch of super bubbles on Friday, towards the end of Camp, and let the kids play.  I might have the kids test to see which dish detergent makes the best, biggest, or longest lasting bubbles.  But, I keep running across this Bubble Science Kit.  Happily, the Exploratorium has ideas for Bubble Science, including Giant bubbles and Soap-bubble shapes.  Be sure to add corn syrup or glycerin to the dish soap bubble recipe to increase the bubbles’ structural integrity.  (Yes, corn syrup works well in place of glycerine.  I never have enough funds at Camp for glycerine.). Here are detailed instructions for making pipe cleaner joints and geometric shapes.  Here are instructions threading the pipe cleaners through the straws instead of using them as joints for the straws.  We tested bubbles.  See below.

Mad Science Camp: Step away from the science kits.

Good Will online has a listing for four Scientific Explorer science kits.  Yes, I am always tempted by science kits, too.  Kits have instructions, materials, and attractive plastic pieces.  Mommy bloggers promote the Best Science Kits for 2020.  Just step away from the science kits!  Look carefully at this Thames and Kosmos Kit.  $50 for magnets, a magnifier, instructions, and essentially plastic toy equipment?  Nope. When you see an interesting kit, google the idea.  One kit which is tempting me at the moment is Bubble Science Kit.  But, I know the San Francisco Exploratorium has been promoting  Bubble Science since the 1970’s.  Guess what?  The Exploratorium has Bubble Science Snacks, including Soap-Bubble Shapes.  I had been thinking about using pipe cleaners; Exploratorium uses straws.  Hey, here are instructions for giant bubbles.  See what I mean?  Stay away from the kits!

Mad Science Camp: Color Changing Carnations

Our little household likes any experiment.  Today's experiment is Coloring Changing Carnations.  We do not have Color Changing Carnations; however, we do have light pink pipe cleaners.  The colored water rises in the pipe cleaner or stem of a carnation through capillary action.  If you try this experiment with pipe cleaners, the results are almost immediate.  Try the experiment with celery, too.  Take a look!

Mad Science Camp: Let’s add songs!

I like songs, for Camp, for VBS, for fun!  Science Camp has songs.  One favorite is Eddie Koochie Catchinary with hand clapping and snapping.  A good source book is Joe’s Got a Head Like a Ping Ping Ball, with classic songs like Tom the Toad and Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts.  Another favorite is Herman the Worm, yet another appropriate tune for Science Camp.  When we have a group we start camp with chants, songs, and cheers.  Here’s a perfect theme song for Mad Science Camp: Comet, It Makes Your Teeth Turn Green.

Mad Science Camp: Cells

Cells are one of those topics taught in Biology, Anatomy, and Life Science classes. How can you make this fun?  Apologia Young Explorers Human Anatomy has an Edible Cell Project with candy.  What about Shrinky Dinks Cells?  Make them into key chains.  (Polystyrene Plastic #6 is the plastic used for Shrinky Dinks.  Use this link for instructions.). Here are more cell project ideas with clay, sequins, and pipe cleaners.  If you are combining School and Camp, add Lapbook or mini-book activities. Make cartoons with the organelles.  Break out the digital microscope  and look at microscope slides.  Now let’s have fun and make Cake Cells or Cookies.  Sounds like a celebration!

Mad Science Camp: Anatomy Academy

Update: Good Will online has CPR kits.  Ask a nurse or EMT friend if you could do a FaceTime or Zoom CPR class for camp.

Good Will online has an Anatomy lot priced fairly.  The charts make excellent props for Camp.  Where should you begin?  Are you doing a combination of School and Camp this summer?  Take a look at Human Anatomy. I used Human Anatomy with a Co-op class of kids ages 6-11.  We used both the Junior and Elementary Notebooking Journals.  We added fun activities to the projects and Try-this activities.  Copy, cut, and assemble a Paper Skeleton.  Make brain hats.  Trace blood through heart and lungs.  Make fake blood.  Color Your Own Digestive System Organs aprons.  Build clay anatomy models.  Plan field trips to the local Rescue Squad and Fire Department when you are out of Quarantine.  Ask for demonstrations with a stretcher and CPR or First Aide instruction.  Do a Zoom conference with a nurse.  Ask her to demonstrate a complete nursing assessment or teach you how to use a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.  Look at these resources from Home Science Tools. Want some fun?  Make Martha Stewart’s Pasta Skeletons and Skull Jewelry.  Your kids are going to have a blast!

Mad Science Camp: Microscopes and Money

I post often about using tech.  Today, Paul, nine, worked with the digital microscope to look at currency.  I had him capture images on the computer, copy the images to Google Slides, and label the images.  He needs to work on cleaning up Slides.  You can see that I like to combine a couple lessons, in this case, lessons with a digital microscope and with Google Slides.  See the pix and Google Slideshow

Mad Science Camp Chemistry and Physics: Lava Lamps.

Our county has closed camp for the summer.  Our church as canceled VBS.  Our household had planned Mad Science Camp with friends.  It looks as though we are on our own indefinitely; our family is high risk.  Like many of you, we are doing School mornings and Camp afternoons all summer.  We plan to use Apologia Science Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics for some of both: School and Camp.  I love this book!  Lesson One’s project is Lava Lamps.  Classic versions of Lava Lamps use water, Alka-Seltzer, food coloring, and vegetable oil.  Here are five different ways to create Lava Lamps.  (Alka-Seltzer has baking soda and citric acid.). Test different oils: vegetable, lamp oil, and mineral oil and various ratios of baking soda and citric acid.  How does a lava lamp work?  What combination produces the longest lasting lava bubbles?  Can you repeat your results?  Lava Lamps are great for formal lab reports written in notebooks or for creative science.  Here are detailed School instructions. Here is a good lab report guide.  Limit the test to one idea, such as which oil produces small sustained lava bubbles OR the ratio of citric acid and baking soda which lasts the longest—not both simultaneously.  Identify independent and controlled variables (same type of plastic bottle, same amount of oil and water, same amount of Alka-seltzer, etc.).  Spend one afternoon trying out several combinations of lava lamps.  The next morning, ask your child to write the report for School.  We do not write reports for every lab; it sucks the joy from science.  Alternate with a photo journal or a video record.  I usually snap pix of the materials.  Let the kids make demos, narrate the videos, and learn how to edit in iMovie.  Do your kids like to draw?  Make a cartoon of the Lava Lamps.  It’s nearly summer; let’s have fun!

Mad Science Camp: Five Below

Five Below is in the same shopping mall as Dollar Tree and Michaels in my town.  Here is where I shop for ideas and inexpensive supplies.   Five Below has materials for Science Camp: this Stalagmite Kit (similar to Magic Rocks with sodium silicate and mineral salts), Fossil Dig Kit, Play doh (buy as comparison with DIY Play Dough), a Yeti-bot ($3 is reasonable to try a solar toy.), or this Spider-bot at $5, Sidewalk chalk (as comparison with DIY sidewalk chalk), and nail polish (marbled paperweight rocks.). Right now, shipping is a flat fee, $5.  I like to buy commercial toys and compare them to DIY.  Right now we can use all the ideas we can find.

Mad Science Camp: How does the Fountain Connection toy work?

My husband, Rob, teaches Physics.  I can handle Physical Science; my brain shuts off whenever we skirt more advanced Physics.  We made Tornados and a Fountain.  Rob asked me how the fountain works.  Here is an explanation.  Below is a video explanation.

Mad Science Camp: Make Tornados and a Fountain

Are you planning Science Camp?  Our household is busy doing experiments several times each week.    Today, we are making tornados. When I plan for Science Camp, I look for activities which keep kids engaged for 20 minutes.  So, if we make tornados, we test several versions—just as we did Clouds for Weather Camp.  Here’s the problem.  Some kids like an activity more than others.  Plan to test two or three versions.  If the kids wash the bottles, remove the labels, and test three types, they should be occupied for 20 minutes.  My policy is to let them stick with an activity as long as they please at Camp.  I have had kids stick with Clouds or Tornados for 45 minutes while the rest of the group has moved on.

 The simplest tornado is Tornado in a Bottle: soda bottle, dish soap, and a bit of glitter.  Compare the home-made tornado with this Pet Tornado. (We have many science toys and equipment for camp at our house.). I love Tornado tubes (or vortex tubes— I have several I had planned to use for our Science Camp in June.). The tube screws on to two soda bottles.  First, test the tube with different sizes of soda bottles.  Look at Steve Spangler’s ideas for tornado tubes.  I have a Sick Science Terror Twister kit.  (I think it was part of a science lot from Good Will.  The cow gets stuck and blocks the vortex connector.)  We are testing both commercial and DIY tornado tubes: soda bottles, washer, and duct tape.  Warning!  These tornado tubes often leak.  Build them outside or test them over the sink.  BTW, we had no luck with the washer and duct tape tornado—which is why I buy tornado tube connectors.

I decided to break out Water Wonders, too.  This kit is hard to find.  (I have no idea when or where I bought it.). Happily, the kit contains two pieces: a tornado tube and a fountain connector, both of which are easy to find.  The fountain connector has two straws; one end of each has small holes.  Jam the ends with small holes into the connector.  Adjust the two straws until the fountain spouts.

Guess what?  Our trials took about 20 minutes.  Here is a video of the tornados and fountain tests.

Mad Science: Foundation Chemistry Kit

One fun topic kids love to do at Camp is Chemistry.  I bet you are tempted by chemistry kits.  I am!  Take a look at Foundation Chemistry Kit.  Look at the contents; $49.99 is expensive for plastic safety glasses, three beakers, baking soda, citric acid, food coloring, a timer, color tablets, a thermometer, and odds and ends.  You are paying good money for the experiments.  Here and here are detailed instructions for What’s New, Co2?  Second Grade and Fifth Grade Inquiry in Action activities have simple labs with detailed explanations.  How about Adventures in Chemistry?  These activities are all safe and tested by the American Chemical Society.  You are getting top notch content.  I bet all of the materials won’t add up to $50.

Apologia Young Explorers: Zoology 1 Insect Quiz

Paul, 9, is studying insects in Zoology 1.  I decided he is overdue for a quiz.  As a Biology teacher, I have strong opinions about content.  I think kids should be able to identify and label organisms.  Paul took a labeling quiz.  Here is a labeling worksheet with a key.  Decide if you want to provide a word bank.  I made my quiz two part.  The first part, antennae, wings, head, thorax, and abdomen, there was no word bank.  The second part, Label the insect's leg, had a word bank.  I gave Paul time to study and quizzed him.  Here are photos.

Mad Science: Microscope and Slides

Last post, I explained how we use a digital microscope.  If you have a laptop, add a digital microscope.  Kids love to examine things under a microscope.  Why not set one up for Camp?  Look at money, especially new bills, or foreign currency under the microscope. The kids will want to look at their arms and other objects.  Where do you buy microscope slides?  This set of slides is tailored for kids.  The set retails for $12-$14.  Biologists draw sketches of microscope slide images to force students to examine slides carefully.  If you use the slides for a lesson, have your kids draw and color with colored pencils, like biologists.  Skip the sketches if your kids like Google Slides presentation or making PowerPoint slideshows.  I find kids like to change the backgrounds and annotate their presentations; this may seem more like School, not Camp.  Here is what I do at Camp.  If kids are having fun leave them alone.  Offer the slides if they seem a bit bored or want more exciting objects to observe.  Fun, right?

Let’s use tech! Try a digital microscope.

I love tech!  You should see my inventory.  Here’s the thing.  I use tech to teach, not in place of rigorous instruction.  One example is a digital microscope.  We use these for Zoology, Biology, and Anatomy.  The kids attach the microscope to a laptop, focus the microscope, snap a photo, and sketch the microscope slide.  Two or three kids can use the microscope together at the same time.  The digital USB microscope works well with a laptop; it MAY connect to a Chromebook.  I have had luck connecting the microscopes you a Thinkpad.  I think the digital microscope captures decent images.

Here is what we do.  First focus and snap a photo of the microscope slide.  Next, save the slide to Classroom or your files.  After, have your child sketch the slide from the photo on the laptop.  Upload both the microscope image and your child’s sketches to Drive or Google Classroom.  I like to include examples with assignments on Classroom to document our work.  This will simplify your portfolio submission at the end of the school year.  Look at you getting techie!

                                        Yes, we are working on hand-writing and sketching.