Samples for Science Camp….

 My husband, Rob, insists on samples for every activity.  Happily, my young friend, Sofia, needs hours for American Heritage Girls.  She plans to come to camp, too.  We’re just getting started.  Next up are pine cone bird feeders.

Let’s plan a bit more for Science Camp!

 I’m in the final stages of planning for science camp.  We’ll do just three days—I have to have time for VBS planning, too.  There will be eight to ten kids in my basement.  A young friend is coming to help make samples.  My husband, Rob, wants samples for every project.  He is not a fan of winging it.  So, I’m pulling supplies. Yes, the schedule needs work, I have to gather pine cones, and buy more supplies.  Take a look!

What are some 9V labs?

 My husband, Rob, treats me like some type of lab data base.  He’s a light sleeper; one of the smoke alarms started beeping at 11:00 pm—just after he fell asleep.  He changed all of the smoke alarms in the house.  Now we have a stack of lightly used 9V batteries.   Rob was asking which labs require 9V batteries.  I can think of a few—mainly electrolysis or conductivity labs.  (Yes, I’ve taught a ridiculous variety of science courses.)  

1. Chemistry: Make a Simple Portable Conductivity Maker. Look at the Exploratorium Conductivity Meter, too, for images.  This lab uses household solutions: salt water, sugar solution, alcohol, vinegar, ammonia, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.  

2. Electrify Steel Wool does catch steel wool on fire.  Be sure to closely supervise this experiment!

3. Creat a Graphite Circuit.  Warning!  Rob has used all manner of tools to make greeting card circuits in Physics with mixed results.

4.  Split water with Pencil Electrolysis.  (Here is another version.)

5. Flinn’s Petri Dish Electrolysis is similar to MEL’s Tin Dendrites, which is a cool kit containing a battery holder and alligator clips in place of a 9V battery and graphite rods.   

What can I use to heat substances in lab if I don’t have a Bunsen burner?

 I taught in both private and public schools.  Guess what?  Not every school has a fully equipped lab.  Moreover, I didn’t trust my teens to use Bunsen burners safely.  You have options!  Sometimes, you just need a hot water bath.  I use an electric kettle or heat water on an electric burner.  In Chemistry, we heat substances using Sterno, alcohol burners, and camp stoves.  I try tea candles; they usually generate enough heat when combined with a miniature camp stove.  We tried pellets with the camp stoves; the amount of heat was tremendous—almost too hot!  My recommendation is to buy a folding camp stove and use tea candles to heat substances on a baking stone.  I like Sterno for Flame tests and Hydrate labs.  I’ve used alcohol burners; however, they must be supervised closely.  I always worry about some kid knocking over the lamp. Below are some options.

Let’s finish well!

 I first started this blog to document our labs for the home-school Co-op.  We needed to document the labs completed for MODG.  I like to be accountable.  I can imagine many of you asking yourselves whether of not we really do the assigned work.  Yes!  Today, the last Biology class, the kids are completing the comparison charts for their mega-labs.  Two students are completing the last two dissections. Next week, a few may be returning for make-up sessions to complete the work.

Just add candy!

 Want to make your science labs sweeter?  Just add candy!  Yes, I do!  If fact, I’m modifying my Summer Science Camp and adding some candy geology.

1. Candium (or Beanium if you teach a large, Co-op class) This Chemistry lab examines isotopes in elements.

2. Edible Igneous Rocks, Sedimentary Rocks, Metamorphic, and Edible Rock Cycle is a delicious introduction to geology.  On a related note, make an Edible Aquifer or run through NASA’s Candy Bar Geology.

3. Here are a few Biology ideas: Candy DNA, Oreo Mitosis, and Gummy Bear Dissection.

Last week of Co-op…finishing dissecting!

 We’re nearly finished Co-op Biology.  This week we’re completing the dissections, reports, and last tests.  (One student used the synthetic kits.)  We had something weird—one of the frogs swallowed a mouse.  Take a look!