Daffodil, Bell Pepper, and Hot Pepper Dissections

 My daffodils are blooming.  Next Tuesday, we’re doing the dissections, labeling, and taking loads of photos.  We are voting on whether or not to do the Botany Module next.  Regardless, flowers are expensive.  I bought the daffodils two years ago for dissection.  We planted the bulbs in the back garden; they are blooming, now.  Hence we are dissecting them now.  Here is an excellent daffodil dissection website.

Since we are dissecting flowers, we might as well dissect fruit: Pepper Anatomy, Bell Pepper Anatomy, and Apple Dissection.  We might dissect the amaryllis flower pictured below.  It’s past its prime and seems willing to donate its body to science.

Make Zoetropes!

I’ve hosted any number of Science Camps for kids.  Many kids return every year for more fun.  Consequently, I need loads of different themes.  For the Joy of Toys theme, kids like making optical illusions, such as Exploratorium’s Flip Sticks with these templates.  The flip sticks are thaumatropes.  Here   Is another optical illusion, a Zoetrope.  Here is a simple zoetrope to make.  Here is a sturdier version with a template.  Here are blank templates.  Here is a zoetrope horse pattern.  Finally, here are several more template patterns.  (FYI, I use some of these ideas and adapt them for Religious Education and VBS.)

Science Subscription Kits

I haven’t purchased a science kit subscription; however, I have bought some kits from eBay and Good Will online.  One popular science and engineering subscription program is KiwiCo.  The subscription price is between $30-$35 monthly.  While I wouldn’t subscribe to a science kit program, I might buy individual kits.  Before you buy one of the kits, look over the KiwiCo website.  Next, look at the pictures for different used kits at eBay or Good Will.  Ask yourself if the kit is a good value.  Would your child enjoy making the toy or doing the experiment?  Could you improvise the experiment or toy yourself?  Lastly, any used kit should be priced with a minimum of a 50% discount.

TI 83/84 Graphing Calculators

 I use graphing calculators in Chemistry.  My husband, Rob, uses them in his Algebra classes, especially Algebra II.  I keep a caddy with a dozen graphing calculators.  I like the TI 84 because it comes loaded with software to connect with Vernier probes, such as EasyTemp.  Rob and I lend calculators to students.  I keep six or seven TI 83 models to lend.  Most of our calculators are used.  I’ve bought calculators from eBay and Amazon.  However I’ve had the best luck with Good Will online.  I look for calculators which work, not those sold ‘as is’—too much of a gamble.  I like to buy lots because it can save on shipping costs.  My target price for a TI 83 model is $15 each with shipping and $25–$35 each for a TI 84 model.  I have a rechargeable TI 84; it doesn’t hold a charge very well.  The battery life is good with standard TI 83/84 calculators.

Desmos Graphing Calculator

 Desmos is a free, online graphing calculator.  I learned about Desmos from Paul and our teen neighbor, Rahimah.  Desmos has a Help Center. Here is a ‘Getting Started’  page for newbies.  I played with the app and it works!  I’m used to using the TI 83/84 graphing calculators.  But free makes Desmos very attractive.  Apparently, you can use Desmos when taking the SAT.  Although, two young friends borrowed graphing calculators recently when they took the SAT.

Reliable Biology Websites

 It can be touch to find reliable websites, especially when planning a lesson.  Sometimes, no matter how many times you read a section in the textbook, the material doesn’t make sense.  In many cases, moms who home-school haven’t had Biology since tenth grade in high school.  Let me share a few reliable websites.  Khan Academy has an entire Biology Library.  Another popular website is the Biology Junction. Scroll down the home page to the teacher section for more help, such as Cornell Note-Taking.  A similar webpage is the Biology Corner.  When the Web was younger, Biology teaches flocked to the Biology Junction and the Biology Corner for resources because the hand-outs and slideshows were available from one central location.  I scan Texas Gateway regularly.  Here are the steps in Protein Synthesis.  The website was developed for Texas teaches.  There are videos and lessons for many topics.  Hope these sites are helpful for you! 

Fruit and Flower Dissections

 My Biology Co-op class is NOT ready for the Botany module.  The daffodils are already starting to bloom in our area.  Lilies are also good flowers to dissect.  Let me get ahead and share some fruit and flower dissection links:  Daffodil Flower Dissection, Exploratorium’s Flower Dissection, Flowers (with crafts), and Home Science Tools Flower Dissection Lab.  Next up are fruit dissection labs: Exploratorium’s Fruit Dissection, What Am I Eating?, Fruit Dissection (with an apple), and Fruit, Seeds, and Their Dispersal (all 27 pages).  

Fruit and Flower Dissections are good family projects, especially if younger children are studying Botany. Why not make a lapbook?  You might want to launch a unit on nutrition?  Compare nutritional information from The Sugar Association, Idaho Potato, Mayo Clinic  or Nutrition.gov, which has ‘My Plate’ activities.  Work as a family to select activities for the lapbook.  

What is the purpose of your blog if you aren’t making any money?

 I made a decision years ago not to monetize this blog.  I hate navigating around ads.  Moreover, my audience is quite limited, mainly homeschool moms or Co-op instructors.  In another life, I taught in both public or private schools.  I had to wear many, many hats.  Additionally, I taught many, many subjects with little in the way of resources.  Eventually, I had the opportunity to do some consulting. I led workshops teaching instructors how to incorporate hands-on labs and activities to improve science instruction.  My main reason for writing this blog is to help you with ideas—especially cheap and effective labs.  Here’s hoping this blog is helpful!

Clay, Felt, and 3D Dissections

 If you choose virtual dissections, treat the dissections seriously.  Start with Paper Dissections.  Use dissections guides.  Here is an Instructable to make a layered felt dissected frog.  Use these perch images to craft a layered felt version, similar to the felt frog.  Here is the idea for making a frog dissection with clay.  Use model images as inspiration for clay organs.  Here are the perch and here the fetal pig.  My kids in Anatomy and Physiology made clay organs with Sculpey Clay.  Invest in better polymer clay.  I have had mixed results with less expensive clay.  The Sculpey clay is easier to use than play dough.  I haven’t noticed any fumes when I baked the clay in my oven.

Here are the plans for a 3D printed earthworm.  Thingaverse has plans for a 3D printer frog dissection kit.  (These are small; it is hard to distinguish the organs.  3D printing is also as interesting as watching paint dry.  This is a great project to do as a group at the local library.  Likely this will be a one-time event.)  

Consider engaging the whole family in the project with a lapbook.  Document your dissections and models.  Include the manuals used.  Show you put in the work despite electing to do a synthetic or virtual dissection in lieu of using preserved specimens.

Virtual Dissections

 One more round-up!  This time let’s examine free virtual dissections, such as these from PBS.  Here is a virtual frog dissection.  The anatomy models are quite good.  You may want to combine paper or clay dissections with virtual models.  Here is a collection of perch organs.  The Science Bank has a lending library of specimens.  (I haven’t tried these yet.  I plan to see how hard it is to borrow specimens this spring.). They have this catalog of virtual dissections, such as bird and cat dissection guides and videos. Don’t apologize if you elect to do paper, clay, or virtual dissections.  Just make the most of your alternative dissection! 

Paper Dissections

 Is your teen squeamish?  Paul and my husband, Rob, barely made it through synthetic dissections.  Both were green cutting up toys.

Let me share alternatives to using specimens for dissection.  First, traditionally, the specimen set for dissection have a frog, perch, class, earthworm, starfish, grasshopper, and crayfish.   Getting Nerdy with Mel and Gerdy has top of the line paper dissection models.  They are pricey!  Here and here are complete packets for frogs to use with paper, vinyl, synthetic, virtual, or real dissections.  Here  is a free paper frog dissection.  Here is a free paper salmon dissection.  Here is a paper clam dissection.  Use this guide to create your own layers of an earthworm.  Here is a crayfish guide to use to make a paper dissection.  Make an origami cricket and use this grasshopper guide to label the legs.  Compare the crayfish and grasshopper structures.  Here is a sea star or starfish guide to use to create your own paper model.  

Coding Activities for Beginners

 We have software coders in our family.  What can you do to see if your child would like to learn how to code?  Here are ‘unplugged’ ideas to help kids understand coding: Binary Bracelets, Pre-school Coding Activities, and Coding a LEGO Maze.  Here are more unplugged lessons, such as Move it! Move it!  If you have teens, consider trying An Hour of Code; there are many apps on the site with simple instructions.   Khan Academy has its own Hour of Code.  This site has more structured lessons.  You might want to start learning html.  Look at Free Code Camp, Khan Academy HTML Basics,  See if you can make your own website.  Way back in the year 2000, my son made a classroom website for me with html which was easy for me to edit assignments.  He added a dragon I never figured out how to remove.  At the time I was just happy to have a place for parents to check homework assignments, deadlines, and upcoming tests.  If your teen or pre-teen is interested, let them try to do some coding,

Exploratorium Science Experiments

 Some of my favorite science camp experiments originate with Exploratorium: Pringles Pinhole camera obscura, Flip Sticks, and Roto-copters.  Similar experiments were published in two books: The Science Explorer and The Science Explorer Out and About.

Exploratorium also has Science Snacks.  Here are some ‘sound snacks’, such as Bee Hummer.  My kids at Science Camp did Bee Hummer one year and really liked it.  I was afraid it was a little lame.  Secret Bells is another ‘snack’ which is also published in The Science Explorer.  Every time I’ve done ‘Secret Bells’ with younger kids, it’s been a huge hit.  Most of the science experiments published are available online at the Exploratorium website; the difficulty  is finding my favorite experiments.  I have to sift thought loads of ‘snacks’ to find them.  I recommend buying used copies of the books.

The Joy of Toys!

 One of my favorite themes for Science Camp is the Joy of Toys.  Here is a spreadsheet with links for several DIY science toys to make.  Educational Innovations is another source for Science Lessons with toys, such as Cartesian divers.  There are over 100 lessons which correlate to their products.  Compare prices for the toys and gadgets at Educational Innovations with Amazon, Walmart, Dollar Tree,  and Temu.  Nothing beats toys for fun lessons!  

Pedigree Activities

Pedigree and Karyotyping activities are NOT required in a general Biology course.  However, they are interesting.  My kids are finishing this Human Karyotyping Activity.  Next we’re starting pedigrees.  Two pedigrees which are especially interesting are Woody Guthrie’s and Queen Victoria’s.  Arlo Guthrie suffered from Huntington’s Disease.  Huntington’s Disease is autosomal dominant.  Here is a pedigree activity for Woody Guthrie.  (Here is the Guthrie pedigree.). Another pedigree is hemophilia and Queen Victoria.  Here is the hemophilia pedigree activity.  

I played the Woody Guthrie song, ‘This Land is Your Land’.  Tuesday, we’ll start working through the pedigree activities.  We did talk about Huntington’s Disease as autosomal dominant and did the Punnett Square.  Each child born from a parent with Huntington’s Disease has a 50:50 chance of inheriting the disease.  Keep in mind, the gene though dominant is rare, much like the gene for polydactyly.  Huntington’s Disease may not manifest until the patient is in his or her forties.  As a child, like Woody Guthrie’s son, Arlo Guthrie, would you want to know if you inherited the disease?  While the uncertainly would cast a shadow over your youth, the certainty may blight your youth.

Temu: More Science Equipment!

 Temu has some of the best prices I’ve seen in a long time.  Let me share potential labs or activities that coincide with the equipment.  Let’s start with plastic syringes, which are useful for Gas Law labs: Boyle’s Gas Law: Marshmallow Under Pressure and Charles’ Gas Law lab.

Temu has materials for Science Camp. Here is the lab and explanation about the science.  

 

Below are plastic dragonflies.   I bring out the plastic dragonflies or helicopters when we make and test paper helicopters at Science Camp.

 One more idea: Sound Tubes.  You can use them for this experiment, Stereo Sound. If you stretch the tube, try spinning it around to make interesting sounds.  The Exploratorium has lots of experiments with sound.  Try Head Harps.

I’m excited to find low prices, especially for materials for Science Camp that won’t break the budget.

Apps for Education

 I gave up Social Media for Lent.  No more scrolling Instagram for knitting ideas until after Easter.  Consequently, I have a lot more time to focus on my classes and write for my blog.  In another life, the school where I taught hosted Tech Week, which I attended several times.  Tech Week allowed me to try different apps, such as  Weebly.  What I learned was that I wanted one login and a way to manage loads of apps.  That’s one reason Google products or apps are so popular.  You have one login to access a suite of apps.

One Tech Week was devoted to Google.  The main Google apps I use regularly are Meet, Calendar, Drive, Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Classroom.  (One popular app, Jamboard is being discontinued.  Booo!!!  Jamboard is a virtual whiteboard.  I’m in the process of testing other free whiteboard apps to use when I have kids meet for class remotely.)  Here is a training website to help you learn about different Google apps.

In addition to attending Tech Week, I took part in a number of Science programs every summer, typically hosted by colleges or universities.  Two science apps to consider are Fieldscope and The GLOBE Program. Colleges seemed to think teachers had an infinite amount of time to incorporate Remote Sensing.  Guess what?  I didn’t. I needed to teach kids how to balance equations.  However, I did have a large club and forced all of my students to do science fair.  Additionally, I worked with local home-schoolers to introduce programs.  Among these groups, we did use these programs, especially some of the GLOBE training protocols.  The GLOBE website is a nightmare to navigate.   Here are the Atmosphere training modules.   I used the Clouds Elementary Unit.  Here is the Clouds Protocol, or detailed teacher instructions and background. Here is the Cloud data sheet.  Here and here are cloud charts.  GLOBE is great. I kept a battery of links saved in order to use the program.  The Clouds unit is the one I used most often. Here’s the thing.  Don’t be afraid to sample new tech or to use tech to ease your workload.

I’m testing in an unusual way.

I’m trying something different this year in my Genetics unit.  Each student is doing a different test according to his or her interests: poultry, horses, or humans.  Each student has different problems.  I asked the teens to give all of us some background on equine genetic factors, or topics such as Achrondoplastic dwarfism.  I’ve advised homeschool families to let their children’s interests help shape their education.  Now, I need to apply my own advise.

HHMI: Viruses and Epidemiology

 HHMI or Howard Hughes Medical Institute has an educator resource called Biointeractive with lessons.  These resources are used for IB, AP, or college-level courses, and supposedly General Biology.  Look at Patterns of Zoonotic Disease.  This lesson is directed to General Biology at the high school level.  I think my current Co-op Biology class will be interested;  many teens would find the material daunting.  Look at the file of resources for Teaching Viruses and Epidemiology.  Here is the student worksheet.  Click on Virus Explorer for 3D models of different viruses.  The models and fact sheets are useful for any level of Biology.  HHMI has excellent free resources.  Examine these topics and videos carefully.  For example, I do NOT teach about sexually-transmitted viruses or diseases.  I do NOT think these are appropriate topics for a General Biology class.  Sensitive topics should be taught by parents, when the parents feel the teen is ready for the information.

Blood Test Kits

 Let me apologize right now.  Blood test kits are becoming an obsession of mine—just like microscopes and microscope slides.  Sorry.  If you are homeschooling one teen, buy an Eldoncard kit and skip doing simulated blood typing tests.  The Eldoncards are a little less expensive if you buy three.  Donate blood.  The Red Cross will tell you your blood type.

I teach Co-op classes; some classes are larger with 15 teens.  The kids do simulated ABO and rH blood tests before we use the expensive Eldoncard tests.  I made up Fake Blood for simulated tests.  Truthfully, it’s nice to just order a kit.  Read the details to be sure the kit has enough reagents for ten groups.  The best price I found was about $45.  Order from a company which clearly states the kit contains enough reagents for ten groups or a class of 30 students.

Forensic Blood Test Kit

 Let me apologize.  I forgot to take a photo when the kids did the lab this morning.  I bought this kit from Amazon.  Look below at the second photo.  I thought I was getting a class set.  Nope. It was fine.  There is enough reagents to perform the tests twice.  It’s a crime scene or forensics lab, which are fun.  Sorry for the lack of pix.

I thought I was getting this kit.  So, the kit was NOT the bargain I thought I was getting.

Biology on a Budget: Human Karyotyping Lesson

 My Biology Co-op class is doing Human Karyotyping.  This lab exercise takes some time.  I started with this slideshow.  We used the slides, Typical Female Karyotype and Typical Male Karyotype as we sorted chromosomes.  We cut out and organized the pairs of chromosomes on to a separate piece of paper.  It helps to put the pairs side by side to see if they match.  The Lab has two normal Karyotype and four sets of karyotypes with issues.  This lab takes quite a bit of time to cut, sort, and glue.  However, it’s the best way to show kids how geneticists take micrographs of chromosomes to sort and identify any genetic abnormality.  Here is an article from Nature explaining the process of karyotyping.  This lab is a good example of providing high quality labs on a budget.  

Calorimetry Lab

 Calorimetry is one of those labs useful for Biology or Chemistry.  You don’t need a kit or to buy a calorimeter.  ( Do a Google search to get an idea about prices.)  Calorimetry measures calories.  Essentially, in this lab, teens burn food to see the change in temperature in a cup of water.  Make your own Soda Can Calorimeter.  Here is a lab to use. Here are more directions.  (I have to read several sources before I completely understand both the instructions and the mechanics of a lab, especially one I haven’t performed previously.). Have several soda cans available.  I change out the can and the cold water with each test to let the can cool.  

MEL Chemistry Kits at Good Will

 Hey! Good Will online has a listing for a large lot of MEL Chemistry kits, including the starter kit.  Search ‘MEL kit’ for all of the MEL kits.  Yes, a ton of enamel listings will pop up, too.  Don’t forget to check the shipping to your location before making a bid. No, I’m not bidding this time.  I’m tempted!  However, I already have several kits.  I need to step away from more MEL kits.

Intro to Chem Labs

 Nearly everyone, including other science teachers are intimidated by Chemistry labs.  I was, too, when I first taught Chemistry.  If you use, Apologia Chemistry, try the labs in the Modules.  Flinn Scientific developed a series of experiments for students at home during the COVID quarantine. These activities include, slime, red cabbage indicator, ‘quick freeze’, and density of soda.  Branch out a bit.  Try Crush Cans.  Here is the lab description.  

Another good topic is Density.  Examine the density of sodas.  Now, you are ready for the ACS Middle School Chemistry.  Take a look at Chapter 1: Matter—Solids, Liquids, and Gases.  There are lessons, simulations,  reading materials, teacher notes, and videos.  All of the ACS material offers excellent support for teachers.  While these resources are intended for Middle School, the material contains sound Chemistry principles.  I used Chapter 6  the year I taught Chemistry remotely.  I had to send home safe labs for the teens.  Many of their families did not have strong science backgrounds.  I stuck with Apologia Chemistry and safe experiments.  Another good resource is Beyond Benign. (The link has the Flame test lab with colorful, birthday candles.)  Try Mystery Powders.  Your teen will feel like a scientist!

Intro to Bio Labs

 I’ve been working with homeschool families for awhile.  Many folks are uncomfortable doing lab.  It’s February.  Have you done any experiments?  Where to start?  If you use Apologia, start with the experiments in the Modules.  Many families do those experiments exclusively.  Fine.  Let’s branch out just a bit.  Try some candy labs: M&M Genetics, Gummy Bear Osmosis, or Reading DNA.  I’m betting your kids will love candy labs.  Now, what about a few labs for squeamish people?  Try Cell Membrane Bubble Lab, Create a Baby Lab, or The Lynx eats the Hare.  Yes, these are legitimate labs.  Be sure to use a microscope and sketch slides.  Ideally, you should dissect a frog, too.  However, dissecting might be a bridge too far if you are intimidated by labs in general.  Ask me how I know.  In that case do a paper frog dissection.  Try a few labs!  They enrich your teen’s science experiment.

Adopt a Disease Project

 Soon, my Biology class is going to create posters about their favorite disease.  Here is the assignment.  No, we are NOT studying COVID.  All of us have learned as much as we want to learn about COVID.  Here is a similar disease project.  Lastly, here is Infographic Maker.  My Co-op class this year isn’t wild about AI tools. They loathe Prezi.  Likely, they will make posters using cardstock.  

Biology: Punnett Squares

 My Co-op Biology class is finishing Genetics.  It just occurred to me you might struggle with Punnett Squares—especially if you haven’t done any since high school.  Texas Gateway has a step by step lesson on Punnett Squares.  When you complete the Square, you are predicting the probability for each offspring to have a specific trait.  Just as a reminder, take a look at Khan Academy, too.  This video is directed towards AP Bio, and is more in-depth than General Biology.  Here is a slideshow which explains the basics of genetics and terms.  This is an excellent review before the test.

Thames & Kosmos Kits

 Are you familiar with Thames & Kosmos kits? These are excellent Science kits.  I bought a stack for my husband to use for his Physics class when they do individual projects.  I bought those kits used at Good Will online.  Be sure to compare prices online with Amazon or eBay before you bid.  Don’t forget to check the shipping.  My target for a Thames & Kosmos kit is $20 total, including shipping.  Below is a screenshot with some of the kits available at Good Will today.  (Yes,the kit might be missing a part.  Thames and Kosmos  offers replacement parts.)  Good Will frequently have a number of kits available.  Science kits make great birthday presents!

Bioethics Links

 I’m preparing myself psychologically for this blog to be buffered again.  Below is the Bioethics presentation we had today.  My son, Fr. Josh, provided these references.  Keep in mind, the Bioethics webinar is from a Catholic world-view.  Here is the video link for the webinar.  I have one more outline to post when I receive it.

TI 83/84 Graphing Calculator

In another life, I was worried my students would be short-changed if they weren’t exposed to graphing calculators.  I went to exorbitant lengths both to learn how to use a graphing calculator and locate appropriate labs and activities.  I went to several conferences and bought videos.  Even now, I incorporate graphing exercises into my science classes.  I keep a set of graphing calculators.  My husband, Rob, teaches Math for the local Co-op.  He loathes the graphing calculators; I help his kids with graphing exercises in Algebra or Stats, too. My advice is to Google the graphing problem specifically.  Type of exact problem into the search.  Sometimes the video explains exactly how to calculate or input the problem.  I usually prefer the screenshots to videos.  Ironically, I’m sharing a few videos I made for the kids.  Rob maintains a video library in Google Classroom.

Here is how to clear the RAM.  I suggest clearing the RAM on the graphing calculator before starting a new exercise.  Sometimes an equation in y=, data in the STAT function, or a matrix can cause havoc.  Here is how to clear the RAM.

Below is a video of how to input a linear regression, one of the most common types of exercises.

Here is a video about graphing inequalities.

Foldscope Cardstock Microscope

Good Will online has Foldscope paper microscopes listed.  A new Fold-scope is about $40.  Yes, this microscope is made from cardstock.   Here is Fieldscope’s  backstory.   Practically speaking, you would be money ahead to buy a digital microscope for your laptop.  But I love the idea!

Elementary Science: Delta Science Textbooks and Readers

 In another life, I helped map elementary-level, science curriculum.  One of the best programs is Delta Education or FOSS, especially for Physical Science topics.  The textbooks or readers are widely available for around $5.  The investigation manuals are more expensive and designed for the program kits.  

Your Co-op may want to sponsor an elementary-level science class.  If your Co-op meets weekly, you could tackle two or three units or topics, such as Mixtures and Solutions or Solids and Liquids.  eBay often has the books, teacher guides and science supplies.  Start by studying the unit.  How many students are in the Co-op class?  What supplies are in the resource kit?  I usually, buy the books, guides, and supplies used.  You can do your own labs:  Mysterious Mixtures or Basic Chemistry.  Please note, buying used and selecting labs takes more time.  Many groups like to invest in a bundle of books and supplies to ensure they have everything they need and detailed instructions.  Below are ideas for textbooks with prices to get an idea of the budget for a Delta or FOSS program.

Elementary Science Curriculum: Apologia’s Young Explorer’s Series

During my academic career I taught mainly secondary students a variety of subjects, especially Chemistry.  However, as a secondary teacher, I helped select and shape the science program for the elementary grades.  Home-school families often keep their focus on the basics, especially younger children.  Consider adding elementary Science to your Co-op.  I like Apologia’s Young Explorer’s Series.  I taught Anatomy through the local Co-op for a group of kids aged six to eleven.  Young Explorer’s has two levels of ‘Notebooking Journals’.  I used both levels for the Anatomy course.  It can be a little tricky.  I had the older kids work in their journals, while I quizzed or scribed for the younger kids.  We did loads of ‘Try this!’ activities together.  The books in the Young Explorer’s series have excellent projects, labs, and exercises.  Additionally, the Notebooking Journals have syllabi.

Your Co-op may want to commit to three years and do the three Zoology books.  These books are excellent to introduce science to elementary students.  I recommend using the Notebooking Journals, but they aren’t essential to the program.  Donna Young has TOC planners.  (TOC is table of contents.). Hey, if you and your children just read the books side by side, everyone will learn a great deal of science. There are used copies available through Good Will online, eBay, ThriftBooks, and Amazon.  It will take an investment of time to track down a good price for the textbooks and journals.

Telegraphs and Morse Code

 I’ve been thinking about codes, such as Morse code.  Here is a military website with another explanation, alphabet, and numbers.  Here are instructions for making a simple telegraph.  Last spring I bought two FOSS Next Generation Energy and Electromagnet kits for less than $50 with shipping from Good Will online.  Note that I bought two drawers which are part of a year-long series of experiments for Grades 5-6. Rob and I used the kit for science camp last June.  We’ll use the circuits and telegraph kit for Physics.  The kit is intended for elementary-age students.  But, Rob has had trouble with circuit kits which work.  He’s using the kit for his module on electricity and magnetism because the kit works.  Here’s my point.  The FOSS kits have a tremendous number of materials.  New sets are cost prohibitive.  However, eBay often has kits available.  The electromagnetism sets are a good value under $50.  I took pix of the Delta textbook and the Energy Investigation Guide.  The FOSS drawers I bought did NOT have the Investigation guide, which has detailed instructions for circuits, electromagnets, and telegraphs.    The Delta and FOSS kits are written for teachers who might not have a science background: therefore these kits are also useful to home-school families.  Try to locate a bargain.