Volcanoes – Beyond baking soda and vinegar

Posted by sophicpursuits

Are you working on a volcano lesson plan? Want to do something more than just the traditional baking soda and vinegar eruption? How about exploring the properties of liquids?

When studying volcanoes, the topics of molten rock, lava flows, lahars, and pyroclastic flows are typically included. Depending upon your lesson plan, you might have a brief mention of how different materials “flow” at differing rates, or how different lavas have different flow properties based upon the silica content. This flow property is called viscosity – i.e. the property of a fluid that resists the forces causing the material to flow.

Everyone has some hands-on knowledge of viscosity. Think about the difference in the flow of water versus maple syrup or motor oil on a cold morning versus a hot day. Yet, we typically don’t do any hands-on science related to this physical property of fluids. An Earth Science – Volcano lesson is a wonderful place to add this hands-on activity.

Now for your recommendations.

From SEED – A laboratory on the Viscosity of Liquids

From the Royal Society of Chemistry – Viscosity

Or, from Sophic Pursuits – Viscosity Explorations

Some safety precautions. Know the materials you are using. The Viscosity Exploration uses dish soap, vegetable oil, corn syrup and water. It also looks at the change in viscosity with temperature. So children need to work with an adult to make sure there are no burns. But, the experiment can be done using ice water, cold water and hot tap water.

Just remember to be safe!

February is Snack Food Month

Posted by sophicpursuits

Besides Valentines Day and Presidents Day – February is Snack Food Month. Makes sense in the month leading up to Lent, the month of the Super Bowl, and a day focused on chocolates (Valentines Day) – that February would be dedicated to the ever present snack food.

There are lots of activities that can demonstrate science principles using food – so it seems appropriate for snack food month to highlight some food related science. Penn State has a great food science website that points to a number of other sites that focus on various science activities.

So – explore how molecule handedness changes how it smells.

Find the speed of light using a marshmallows.

Measure the “energy” in food.

Test for glucose and starch.

And have some fun! – But be safe!

January 20 – A busy day in the US

Posted by sophicpursuits

January 20 is usually Inauguration Day in the United States – but it is an off year. So, what cool things happened today in science history? Well, in 1974, the US Post Office honored Elizabeth Blackwell, America’s MD, with a stamp. Astronomers announced the first optical pulsar in 1969. And in 1885, the first patent for a roller coaster structure was issued to La Marcus Thompson of Coney Island, NY. So, how about some roller coaster science?

The best site, I have found is on Science Buddies – http://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/2012/06/roller-coaster-science-marbles-tubes-and-loops.php. Enjoy!

Time to Heat Things Up

Posted by sophicpursuits

The Polar Vortex has been in the news lately and many of you have experienced some very cold temperatures. But, just as the weather is warming; we can do a bit of hands-on science to look at the properties of heat. Thus, we can heat things up a bit!

On Jan. 13, 1864, Wilhelm Wien a German Physicist who received the 1911 Nobel Prize in Physics was born. His work on the theoretical nature of heat allowed Max Planck to resolve the problem of radiation in thermal equilibrium and allowed for the development of techniques to measure high temperatures. This makes it a perfect week to focus on “heating” things up a bit.

Heat can be transferred three ways: conduction, convection and radiation. Here are a few resources to help you explore the heat transfer.

From the University of Wisconsin – Here is an animated activity.

Science Games from Science Kids

From NeoK12 – Heat Transfer Games, Activities and Lessons

And finally from Discovery Education and Siemens Science Day – An Downloadable Experiment.

Have fun exploring how things heat up or cool down as the case may be.

The Holiday’s are Almost Over – Back to Normal?

Posted by sophicpursuits

On Monday, January 8; most of the United States will return to a “normal” work/school week. For us the holidays are over and we must return to that hectic existence we have built for ourselves. Social and sport groups are resuming full swing, and just look at that in box for the email. (It is enough to make your head spin.)

For homeschoolers, we have a bit of a choice. We can return to that hectic existence on a more reasonable pace. We can choose to focus a bit, put a bit more quality into our curriculum and not have to throw ourselves headlong back into the U.S. interstate speed culture.

So, from a science perspective; why not take a bit of time to reflect just how fast science can change our perspective and fundamentally our lives. On January 8, 1642 Galileo Galilei died. On the same date in 1980, John William Mauchly (with Presper Eckert – the co-inventor of the ENIAC – Electron Numerical Integrator and Computer – the first general purpose computer) died. And, in 1997 – Melvin Calvin died, a Nobel Prize winning chemist and discoverer for the Calvin Cycle, carbon fixing in plants.

All three of these individuals radically changed our lives. So, here are some suggestions based on these three individuals:

Make a telescope (There are several internet how to’s – youtube videos, plans and kits available. Because, every home has a different set of materials, I am not posting a particular one as it may not fit your specific resources.)
Visit the ENIAC Museum Online
Learn more about the Calvin Cycle from National Geographic Education

Boston Tea Party

Posted by sophicpursuits

Two hundred and forty years ago on December 16, 1773, there was an event in Boston. It was a protest over taxes and triggered a number of cultural differences between England and what is now the United States. In the US we have a coffee break – not a “Tea Time.”

For many – this time of year is the beginning of a winter break – so how about starting another tradition? Celebrating the Boston Tea Party – but having a Science Tea Party!

Here are some suggestions:

Want to keep everyone around the dinner table a bit longer? How about a Tea Bag that floats in air? (Note this demonstration uses fire – so needs to be done by an adult – but it is really cool!)

Or a diffusion demonstration with a tea bag – or make a supersaturated solution – Southern Sweet Tea.

How about making a dye for paper or fabric? (For the paper you can make a treasure map.)

Finally – you can explore all five senses with this fun activity.

Have fun and be safe!

A gift that continues to enhance a life

Posted by sophicpursuits

As the holiday season is in full swing – many of us are looking for that special something to give. For me it has always been books. I love to read.

Reading enhances many aspects of life – it opens doors, it expands curiosity, it activates the imagination, it stimulates thinking, and it promotes communication. For many of us – reading is second nature – but for some – it is a luxury. For example in a recent interview with David Risher on NPR he tells of an experience in Ecuador where the library was locked and children did not have access to the books. This experience has inspired him to work with tools that are available in developing countries to get books into the hands of children. While it may seem counter intuitive – eReaders and cell phones – seem to be a great solution.

There is a meme going around on Facebook – showing a child sitting on Santa’s lap saying that the toys wanted for Christmas included space travel, rocket ships, jungles, animals, etc. Santa gives him a library card.

As a child we moved all the time (I am from a military family) – one of the first places I went in our new hometown was the library as it opened the doors to the community and that is where the books were. My home is filled with books (my husband made the mistake when we first were married saying he would never question my expenditures on books – not sure he still shares that sentiment as we now have more books than many small town libraries).

So the gift of reading to me is invaluable – reading to children is a way of spreading that gift. Books allow people to explore without every leaving the comfort of their favorite chair. We have gotten away from reading due to the television and video on demand – but reading, at least to me, is much more expanding and thought provoking.

Reading teaches, reading shares life stories, reading opens opportunities, and creates visions.

So – this holiday season – or anytime – give the gift that expands a person’s world – a book.

For you science lovers – here is a link to the podcast from the AAAS describing this year’s science book recommendations for young readers. My particular favorite is Rosie Revere, Engineer.

It is December already…..

Posted by sophicpursuits

You are probably in the throws of a busy holiday week – family, food, traditions, football, fun. And – on Monday you will think – I can’t believe that it is December already.

If you are like most people – you try not to decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. If that is the case – then you can do some fun science to help decorate around the house –

Have you thought of a “Chemist” Tree? You can do pretzel and gumdrop molecules. Or do paper chromatography to create beautiful ornaments for the tree.

You can do some crystallization experiments – growing sugar crystals or growing Epsom salt crystals (NOTE: Parental supervision will be required.) You can also make a solution of Epsom salt in water and “paint” on heavy card stock and let it dry – to form crystals on the paper – this is particularly good on red card stock as you make white crystal images. (NOTE: you should not let children get the Epsom salt solution in eyes or drink the solution. Goggles are recommended.)

Have Fun.

November 18 Inspiration for Hands-On Science Fun

Posted by sophicpursuits

For most people – if you ask what happened this day in history on November 18 – not much comes to mind. It is not as famous as Veteran’s Day. But, there are events which occurred on this day – that can spur a flurry of fun science activities – particularly in the area of photography. Nov. 18, 1928 – was Mickey Mouse’s debut on the big screen as “Steamboat Willie”. In 1929 on this day – Dr. Vladimir K. Zworykin demonstrated the Kinescope – a forerunner of the video tape machine. And, in 1787, Louis-Jacques Daguerre was born – the namesake for the daguerreotype – an early type of photograph.

So here are some fun hands-on activities to help explore concepts of photography and moving pictures:

* Pinhole Camera – Instructions from Kodak

* Flip Book from Wikihow – also if you do a quick search on flip books – you can find out how to do them online.

* Using lenses and prisms to bend light – here is one with a magnifying glass – you can

* Fiber optic demonstrations -from the University of Rochester

One other “cool” event for this day in history is the discovery by US Navy Capt. Nathaniel B. Palmer – Antartica

Have fun and stay safe with your hands-on activities.

Remembering and honoring

Posted by sophicpursuits

On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – World War I came to an end. This day is celebrated today as Veteran’s day in the United States. A Monday in November is set aside as a federal holiday to allow communities to honor those who have served and those who serve.

As homeschool families, this day provides an opportunity to integrate our various curriculum activities with what is happening in the community. There is an opportunity to explore history, and conduct interviews with individuals who witnessed events first hand. There is an opportunity to participate in community activities such as parades, concerts, flag raising and lowering ceremonies, and visiting cemeteries.

While we think primarily of history, writing, poetry, and literature for activities related to Veteran’s day – there are some science related topics that can be incorporated as well.

Weather influences history – a wind sock (you can find several craft ideas for making a wind sock) may be an excellent way to show a bit of patriotism as well as incorporating how weather may impact world events.

Technology – while it may have been developed for defense – there are a number of peace time applications of various technologies. Infrared detection is a great example. The infrared cameras can see flaws in metals, and help detect with early detection of equipment failures. Medicine and medical treatments have been influenced by events on the battlefield. Even how goods are transported to your local big box store – is the result of solving a problem during the Berlin Airlift.

Science can be reflected in a number of ways as you celebrate this holiday. You can see it right in front of you in the form of medical devices, architecture, and the overall health of some of those participating in the parade. Just take a quick second to recognize it.

But, don’t forget to thank that veteran for his/her service. It is their dedication to our values that allow us to have the freedoms we hold dear.