What else can the kids do when some are far ahead?

What are some other ideas for kids to do when they are far ahead of their classmates in Co-op?  What about fun labs you have no hope of doing as a class?  For example, Sparkvue or Spark Learning Systems have several Chemistry labs I will not have time to do.  I want the kids to use the the technology, too: the Spark Learning System , Sparklink Air (with an iPad and sensors), airlink 2 (with an iPad and sensors) and CBL 2.  Why?  I already have the technology.  All of the kids will eventually use these devices--or at least the Spark Learning System.  I want the kids to have as much exposure and as diversified exposure of different technology as possible.  I do not want to punish kids who work well and stay ahead.  Instead, they experience cool technology.  It motivates the kids who are behind to catch up.

What to do when some kids are far ahead?

I am certain my Co-op is just like yours.  Sometimes kids are absent or work more slowly than others.  There are three or four children far ahead.  What to do?  Give them something engaging and germane to do, such as filming a science video.  The same three kids who did the size of a molecule video made the Model of the Atom video. (This is the activity link.  The kids just did the calculations for the relative size of the nucleus and atom.)  I like videos because they are engaging.  The kids come away with a greater understanding of the material and are doing something meaningful.  Have a look.

Here are pictures of G. prepping for the video.

Ideas for Experiments

I am in the midst of planning summer camp.  It’s essential to plan now!  I need time to sort materials and look for bargains. We want experiments for the kids to do at home after camp. I bet you have a child who likes science.  Where do you find safe resources?  Start with the American Chemical Society, ACS: Adventures in Chemistry and Inquiry in Action.  These resources are free and tested for safety.  Try Kiwi Crate’s experiments or these from Education.com.  Want more ideas?  Search ‘Mad Science’ on Pinterest for loads of fun ideas.  My ‘Mad Science’ board is loaded with fun ideas for camp.  Now, I need to scroll through and organize them for camp.

Apologia Chemistry: White Powder Update

Two of the kids were able to finish The White Powder Lab and identify all ten unknowns correctly in two long class periods.  The others should be able to finish Thursday.  The two kids who have finished will do an extra lab and film it Thursday.  I am having the kids identify all ten before checking their answers.  I circle the incorrect unknowns.  They retest and correct.  It takes two or three corrections.  Usually, the kids mix up baking soda and baking powder.  Tell them to narrow down glucose and sucrose; then the kids can do the Benedict's test.  The two voltage probes were producing inconsistent results.  I brought out conductivity probes instead.  Here are more pix.

This is the Benedict's or copper reduction test for glucose.  The colors change to green and a rusty red.

                                 I used these conductivity meters instead of voltage meters.

Review: Magic Science for Wizards Only

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

What about Lego Education?

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

Teach STEM

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

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

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

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

STEM Kits

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

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

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

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

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

Magiscope Microscope

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

Lab equipment

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

Mad Science Camp: More tips

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

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