Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics: Periodic Table Cookies

Arrrrrgggggghhhhhh!  I do not like making sugar cookies, especially cut-out cookies.  Paul was very excited to make these cookies.  They are uneven and shaped more like Florida than squares.  We glazed the cookies and let them dry before writing the symbols.  We made mole cookies, too.  (They look like little moles popping their heads out of a hole.). These are not going on Pinterest.  

Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics: Compounds and Molecules

I’m a Chemistry teacher.  Guess what?  I take nomenclature seriously and have loads of supplies.  We spent twenty minutes making, naming, and identifying simple compounds and molecules.  Paul, ten, built five compounds and wrote the names and formulas.  We used Molymod sets.  Gumdrop or marshmallows and toothpicks would work, too.  Have a look.

Mad Science Camp: Blow up Ivory Soap

Today’s camp activity is to make a Soap Soufflé or watch soap blow up in the microwave.  We had two bars of Ivory soap I saved for this activity.  We followed Spangler’s directions and the instructions for a whole bar. Had I had more bars, I would have done more trials.  It has been difficult to order soap.  We also microwaved popcorn in a paper bag to explain how popcorn pops, Below are the pix.

Mad Science Camp: Watersheds, Groundwater, and Nature Camp

When I do a Nature Camp, I may add a Watershed lesson, especially if I invite an educator from the local DEP or Soil and Water Conservation group.  Usually, the kids test the water quality.  I borrow an Enviroscape Watershed Model and explain what a watershed is.  Now, my emphasis is on issues and solutions—not a harangue or a propaganda lecture.  Issues include dog poop and solutions, such as cleaning up after your pet.  We talk about stewardship of God’s creation. Kids love the Watershed Model, especially, when we add little plastic animals or large Clifford dogs to talk about dog poop.  I teach these lessons with the Enviroscape model myself.  I let the educator focus on water testing.  Here is the classic diy watershed model, a ball of crumpled paper.

 Another model I like a lot is a Groundwater Model.  Usually, the educator from Soil and Water has to spend most of the time explaining an what an aquifer is, not a long pollution harangue.  The Groundwater Model looks like a giant ant farm.  Kids are fascinated.  You can make your own Groundwater Model or this simple model.  Here and here are simple groundwater models.  Yes, this is verging on School, not Camp.  If you are hosting a cousins camp with a Nature theme, it’s worthwhile to contact Soil and Water to see if they have the models and could lead a session for your kids.

Mad Science Camp: Soda Pop Science

Good Will has a listing for this kit, Soda Pop Science.  I am just as much enamored of kits as you are.  Let’s look at some experiments.  First is Invisible Soda.  The solid at the bottom is a precipitate.  Warning, the solid is a bit nauseating.  The  Edible Chemistry kit has a soda experiment.  Here is a soda recipe.  Here is a little Chemistry.  Sink and Float Science uses cans of diet and regular soda.  It’s a discrepant event, too!  (Make sure the water is cold.  Add some ice.  You want the density of water to be as close to 1g/mL.). One more idea—Dancing Raisins.  Fun!

Star Wars Jedi Force Levitator

Good Will has a listing for the Star Wars Jedi Force Levitator.  Here is a review.  This looks like a cool toy.  The Good Will listing with shipping is a tad high.  I bought one on eBay for $13.00.  When the toy arrives, we will do our own review.  

Good Will has textbooks

Good Will has a bunch of textbooks.  The prices for used textbooks has been rising.  Are more families home-schooling?  Take a look here—these look beat up.  But, our little household likes used books.  Yes, I shop eBay, Amazon, Abebooks, and ThriftBooks, too.  But, some of the best deals, such as these Young Explorer textbooks are great deals.  

How does your garden grow?

Quick update!  I am experimenting with container gardening.  I have one felt grow bag, a mix of plastic plant pots, and shopping bags.  So far, so good. Yes, those are grocery bags.   Take a look.

Mad Science Camp: Poly Density Kit

I ordered the Poly Density Kit back in March for Science Camp from Educational Innovations.  Paul is doing Camp activities all summer.  The density bottle is one of my favorite discrepant event; the bottle makes kids thinks.  Why do the blue beads sink and the white beads float on top?  Even teens who assemble the bottle from the kit struggle with understanding how the beads float. Kids will shake the bottle and watch the beads over and over.   Here are pix.

Mad Science Camp: Mentos and Coke

Okay, everyone has seen or tried the Mentos and Coke experiment.  We ordered Spangler’s Geyser Tube to try.  I didn’t expect such as good result or I wouldn’t have loaded three Mentos tablets at once.  Here are instructions for a homemade geyser tube.  Below is our video.

Apologia Science: Hotplates

Good Will has a listing for a Fisher hotplate.  Hotplates can retail for over $200.  If you are teaching one child, the stove is generally sufficient.  Co-ops have larger groups.  I would love a smooth ceramic surface to heat beakers.  I have never had the budget for expensive Hotplates. Instead,  I bought several electric burners.  I adapt labs whenever possible to use electric burners rather than gas because they are much safer—and cheaper!  Try to find a burner for around $10.  The beakers are stable on a burner.  Pyrex glass beakers are heat resistant. We use wire gauze to make the surface more stable.  You may want a wire gauze for your stove.

Apologia Biology: Use the textbook you can afford.

When I teach Co-op classes, we use Apologia textbooks.  I want to use books I trust—especially for Biology.  (Here is a position statement about Evolution.  Here  is an article about sex education in schools.) I firmly believe human reproduction education should be a family discussion at home.  My classes read the chapter about evolution in Apologia Biology to discuss with their families at home.  

Okay, now on to textbooks.  Our classes use any version of Apologia Biology (or Chemistry).  I am test-driving the new Apologia Biology edition.  But my kids often have many siblings.  My kids use the textbook their families can afford.  Happily our little household can afford extra copies of the textbooks.  I keep all of the editions out and match up assignments.  Here are schedules for the first and second editions of Apologia Biology.  Here is the table of contents for the newest edition of Apologia Biology.  As we move along with Biology, I will check all three editions for the changes.  Stop worrying that your kids are missing out on the subject if they read an older textbook.  All the Biology textbooks are obsolete before they are published.  Do any mention COVID-19?  Many new developments in our understanding of DNA replication or transcription and translation are outside the scope of a high school course.  Instead, have your kids look for new developments in Biology, such as Cytokine Storms.  If you can find a used textbook for $5, grab it.

Apologia Biology: Flower Dissection

Yesterday, Lacie and Paul did the Flower Dissection.  (Here is the recent blog post recommending the assignment.). Right now, tiger lilies and asters are in bloom in our area.  Lilies have large stamen, making them ideal for a flower dissection.  Asters, such as daisies are composite flowers.   Lacie and Paul followed the directions step by step in the textbook.  (BTW the instructions are the same in the all three editions.  The first edition does not have instructions to repeat all of the steps with a composite, such as a daisy.). Be sure to use a magnifier to look at the flower parts carefully.  The kids used a digital microscope which connects by USB to the laptop.  This microscope is a lens which clips on to a cell phone.  You can get decent results with a cell phone camera.  We use a digital microscope because the kids can focus and take screen shots.  The kids can sketch from the laptop screen. Lacie really liked using the digital microscope.  She took several photos to make over into art projects—quite a bonus.   Here are a few pix.

  

Science Textbooks

Like you, I am planning for Fall.  I have several Chemistry and Biology textbooks and won’t need more.   It looks as though there will be a huge increase in the number of home-schoolers this Fall.  It’s time to order your textbooks. The prices on eBay and Amazon are rising—even for used books.  I have been bidding and ordering Young Explorers science textbooks for Paul, ten.  The textbooks and notebooking journal used prices are all rising from increased demand.  Stalk Good Will and Facebook Marketplace for the science books you’ll need this fall.  BTW, Apologia has a 25% discount until July 7th.

Good Will for the win!

My order for three Young Explorers textbooks just arrived.  Did you know Good Will has its own store?  Individual stores post listings on Amazon and eBay, too.  I have had tremendous luck with Good Will online.  Be sure to check the shipping!  Often, they have book bargains.  Below are the Young Explorer books which just arrived.  Good Will ships promptly, too.  The books are pristine!  Our little household is ready for any school situation that arises this fall.

Summer Science: Logs

Our little household likes science. Here is an excellent guide and introduction to backyard habitats.  Do you keep logs?  Cornell has eBird life lists.  Here are Spotting Sheets.  Try using guides such as this Wisconsin Wildlife Survey, this Alaskan Wildlife Survey, or this overview of wildlife surveys.  The lists do not have to be fancy.  Note the date and location for each siting.  Take a photo with your phone when you spot a turtle or egret outside.  Let your child take the lead.  If you have a budding naturalist, let her identify backyard projects to try.

Mad Science Camp: Virtual STEM Camps

There are several Virtual Camps this summer in addition to Steve Spangler’s STEM Camp Online.  Best Buy’s Geek Squad has ideas—all free!  I could use a lesson in photography with Picture Perfect.  (Our little household does a bit of tech.  Lacie and Paul take photos and use iPhone apps and Google Drive to edit photos.  The kids use the photos to make Artsy Canvases.) How about San Diego Zoo Camp?  The Zoo has crafts, such as Swinging Monkey.  (This is like the Exploratorium Flipsticks.  Optical illusions are definitely science.). Many Zoos have live animal cams. ( Here and here are school guides with activities, such as making food webs.  Here are excellent observation data sheets to use with Zoo Cams.). How do you make Zoo Cams Camp?  What about a scavenger hunt?  I like Creature Features.  Do you have a few boxes?  Design your own zoo.  Print or draw animal pictures for the displays.  If I Built a Zoo is another source for inspiration.  The zoo can be real or imaginary.  Make it fun!  Here are 50 Zoo Animal crafts if your kids like crafts.  Get on it!

Apologia Biology: Summer Projects

Want to get a head start for Biology in the Fall?  Do these labs this summer: Experiment 11.1 Flower Anatomy and Experiment 11.2 Fruit Classification. (These are in the new, third edition.  Similar experiments are in Modules 14 and 15 of the second edition.). I usually teach the Botany modules in the spring, just when flowers and fruits are expensive—especially for a large Co-op class.  Let’s do these two labs this summer, when flowers and fruits are cheap.  The last time I did Flower Anatomy, the class had fake flowers because they were much cheaper.  Right now, there are lilies in bloom—perfect for stamen and carpels.  Examine fruit from the garden: tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, and strawberries.  Take loads of pictures, notes, and label everything.  Look at you!  Two experiments done!

Fruit Mummies

Keep in mind, I’m a high school science teacher.  I am a huge advocate for experimental design: null hypothesis, alternate hypothesis, indecent variable, dependent variable, controlled variables, and confounding variables.  One method I use is Apple Mummies.  Here is a bit of information about natron and chemical mummification.  Look at the chemicals: sodium carbonate (washing soda),  sodium bicarbonate (baking soda),  sodium chloride (table salt),  and sodium sulfate (Glauber’s salt).  Instead of Glauber’s salt, I use magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt).  Make your kids design the experiment.  What needs to be the same?  (Use the same size cups, amounts of chemicals, drying time, and same mass of apple pieces.)  Is it one salt or a combination of salts that dry the apple?  How can you tell which apple is driest? 

When I teach experimental design, I ask questions.  Should we use a whole apple or pieces?  (We used pieces because it was cheaper.). How will you remember which cup has which salt?  How many trials should we do for each type or combination of salt?  Which salt or combination of salts do you think works best?  (Alternate hypothesis). Will every salt or combination dry the pieces to the same extent?  (Null hypothesis).  How should we add the apple pieces to the salts?  How long should they dry?  The kids will need time to cut and weigh apple pieces, label cups, and measure salts.  Let the apple pieces dry 24 hours.  Record results over three or four days.  If you have a bumper crop of tomatoes, try to mummify whole tomatoes.  This is definitely school.  But, I helped at an Egyptian camp make orange mummies With a natron salt mixture: table salt, washing soda, and baking soda.  We made little Egyptian Canoptic jars from clay.  (Hey!  It wasn’t my camp.  My friend, Carla, a librarian, planned it. Yes, we painted hieroglyphs.)

Mad Science Camp: Discrepant Events

I love discrepant events.  What are they?  Usually, discrepant events are demos that make kids think.  I used to set out discrepant toys in my classroom.  My favorite is the Poly Density Kit.  Even the kids who put the kit together have difficulty explaining the phenomena.  (Spoiler is here.). Another discrepant event is the Shrinking Coin Bank.   (Here is a micro-bank opened to show the mirrors.). Have you tried the Disappearing Beaker?  (The link has the underlying optical science.  Basically, light canola oil has the same index of refraction as the Pyrex beaker.)  Here are nine pages of discrepant events for science.  You’re welcome.

How on earth have you tried so many types of experiments and science ideas?

I bet you don’t believe I’ve actually tried most of the experiments I write about.  I have—really!  I taught in both private and public schools before tackling Co-op.  Over my career, I have taught Earth Science, Biology, Physical Science, Anatomy, Environmental Science, Chemistry....and several AP sciences.  My goal is 50 labs each year.  There is some of my experience.  Each year, my kids hosted kindergarten science outreach events.  Now, add in some science consulting.  I did seminars for teachers on hands-on science.  

I led Camp.  Initially, I led Camp at private schools.  When parents pay big bucks, the camp had better rock.  Friends at my church asked me to do Camp.  Our pastor agreed.  We held VBS and followed up with a week of Science Camp.  Here is where I honed my background.  We had different themes every year.  Many of my kids were part of large families; the same kids returned.  Consequently, we needed loads of different science themes.  Camp requires loads of activities, too.  Imagine 40 or 50 kids, aged 4-14, with short attention spans.  I needed 40-50 activities, labs, experiments, and fun games to engage the kids for 15-20 hours of annual Camp.  Here’s the other problem; when an idea tanks, you need back-up plans with more ideas.  Oh!  There were kids who arrived at 7:30 am, when I arrived, and stayed until 2:00 pm, when I departed.  I had to plan extra for those kids—especially when the kids want to help.  So, yes, I really have had experience trying looooaaaaddds of science experiments.

Mad Science Camp: Art and Chemistry

I love Art and Chemistry.  Are they compatible?  Yes!  Start with tie dye.  I use Dharma dyes—even kits.  Use 100 % cotton t-shirts and soak them in a mordant for 20 minutes; mordants allows the dyes to adhere to the cotton shirts.  (Here is a little chemistry of dyes.). After the kids dye their shirts, I double or triple bag each shirt and send them home.  My husband helped with tie-dye once at Camp and flipped out.  He has agreed to do Radial Chromatography with alcohol and sharpies.  

Want another really messy artsy chemistry project?  Colorful Lather Printing is perfect.  We use plain index cards.  But, it’s fun to try any paper.  Here is the post with chromatography, colorful leather prints, and nail polish marbling rocks.  As a bonus, our little household is doing Art for the Art Explosion Badge.

MIT Full STEAM Ahead!

MIT has several weeks of STEM weekly packages available.  Take a look at the music packages.  These activities are more School than Camp.

How does your garden grow?

Our little household is still under strict quarantine indefinitely, owing to two high-risk members.  I ordered mainly seeds—I prefer to buy plants.  I bought a huge variety of seeds.  Our raised bed is subject to attack from the local wildlife.  This summer we are trying container gardening.  We have one felt grow bag and several planters.  We are also trying woven and plastic shopping bags.  This experiment is NOT scientific.  But it’s fun to see how tomato plants grow in different containers.  Here’s a photo.

  

Apologia Chemistry: Thermodynamics And Reaction Rate

The American Chemical Society has an Energy Series which includes entropy, enthalpy, and thermodynamics—with labs and activities.  Here are Alka-Seltzer labs for reaction rate.  Nope, my kids did not get that far this year.  If I ever get that far with a general chemistry class, I will post a video.

EScience Kit at Good Will.

Good Will has an eScience listing.  This is a chemistry lab box.  The shipping and bid price are fair in terms of the contents.  It has a mortar and pestle, some plastic lab ware, a reaction plate and some chemicals.  Don’t count on using the chemicals.  Who knows how old the kit is.  I do not see a thermometer or digital balance in the photos.  Otherwise it’s a fair deal for basic equipment.

Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics: Periodic Table

As a high school Chemistry teacher, I am adamant kids learn the Periodic Table.   The first lesson is to color-code a Blank Periodic Table using the same colors as the Periodic Table in the book. I want kids to learn the names of key elements and groups of elements. The next step is a poster project, Adopt an Element or Element Trading Cards.  Here is a photo of color-coding the Table.

Mad Science Camp: What can you do with bottles?

If you are doing The Joy of Toys Camp, you probably are saving bottles.  What other science projects can you do with bottles?  Make a Soda Bottle Bird Feeder.  Make Ecosystems in 2-L bottles.  The systems look like this.  Let your kids use plastic bottles to flip bottles. (Here is a scientific explanation for bottle flipping.). You know how to crush Crush Cans?  You can Crush Plastic Bottles, too.  Here is Drip Drop Bottle—save all kinds of bottles.  Do you have hundreds of bottles?  Make a Plastic Bottle Greenhouse.  The issues with a plastic bottle greenhouse are bottle collection and storage.  Wash out the bottles before storing!!! Ask me how I know.   My kids have built plastic bottle greenhouses twice.  Yes, you need hundreds of bottles—the same size.

Mad Science Camp: What can you do with craft sticks?

What can you do with craft sticks?  At Camp we have thousands of craft sticks on hand.  Kids like to make Popsicle Bombs.  What else?  Catapults!  We experiment with large and small craft sticks.  Have you tried Bee Hummer or a Sound Snadwich?  Set up targets for Launchers.  Look at Center of Gravity!  It’s going to be a long summer.  We are going to need lots of ideas.

Mad Science Camp: Lab Kits

Update: Here is another example of an overpriced lab kit.  $50??  Really?

Okay, you already know, I do not like most Lab Science Kits.  ($51???).  Is your Camp still on?  Do you have a large family or cousin group?  Great!  After you scrounge through your house, stock up on basic materials: craft sticks, pipettes, and plastic cylinders and beakers.  Make funnels from water bottles.  Save yogurt cups to use as beakers.  Here are ideas to build your own science equipment.  Use coins as weights for the balance.  Save bottles, soda cans, egg cartons, and Pringle cans.  If it looks useful, save it.  You can always recycle it later.

Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics: Lesson 2 Surface Tension

In Lesson 2, p.33, is a Try-This demonstrating surface tension of water.  Paul started with a penny and plastic pipette to see how many Water Drops on a Penny.  We switched to a piece of parchment paper and moved the drops around with a finger.  I had Paul write a quick note in his note-booking journal: the date, page number of the Tey-This, and a brief summary.  I take loads of photos to document activities for a digital portfolio.  Some states, such as West Virginia, require annual reviews.  Home-school families pay a licensed teacher to certify their portfolios.  The greater the documentation, the easier it is for the licensed teacher to write a favorable review.  Start your own blog and get your kid in the habit of recording all of the activities.  Take a quick photo or scan of the work, too.  Here are the photos.

Apologia Science: Electricity

One topic that arises in Physics, Physical Science, and Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics is
Electricity.  Electricity lends itself to hands-on activities.  We use snap circuit sets initially.  (If you buy used sets, you may need replacement parts.). This guide and and the instruction manual projects introduce basic circuitry.  My husband, Rob, uses one Physics class for Snap Circuits.  Rob moves on to Squishy Circuits in Physics.

I teach Physical Science frequently.  After an introduction to circuits, I bring out TOPS Science Electricity and a box of materials: bulbs, batteries, aluminum foil, tape, LEDs, etc.  Here is Electricity for younger students.  I have a lesson on drawing circuits and include practice drawing circuits.

This summer, Paul, ten, will learn about electricity.  Our little household will use the snap circuits, draw circuit diagrams, and probably do squishy circuits.  We will have to gauge his interest.  When I teach electricity, I check on the students’ prior knowledge.  Some of my Co-op classes have used the TOPS Science program extensively.  Instead of a lengthy unit, I ask the kids to show me a few circuits and explain the components.  Then we move on.  Really.

What are we going to do?  Paul has used Snap Circuits and Makey-Makey, and Little Bits.  Paul’s daddy is a software engineer and brings new kits all the time.

Mad Science Camp: Lava Lamp

Okay, Mad Science Camp is officially on at our house.  (We are coordinating with Chemistry and Physics.)  Today’s project is a Lava Lamp.  (Here are five ways.)  Here is how we did the experiment.  I told Paul to fill 1/4 of the bottle with water and 3/4 with oil.  (I like to add a little math.  Paul had to determine the volume of the bottle to measure the correct amounts of water and oil.  I had him remove the label, too.  Paul had to fill the bottle with water to measure the volume.). He used both Alk-seltzer tablets and citric acid and baking soda, the chemicals in Alka-seltzer.  Paul tried different ratios of the two chemicals to see which combination produced the most bubbles.  This activity takes about ten minutes altogether.  Photos and a short video  are below.