Archive for the ‘Science Fun’ Category
Art School | Bleaching
Wednesday, December 26th, 2012
Today we are back in the kitchen for our art lesson, but it’s more to do with science than cooking for today’s cool project. We will learn natural ways to lighten color. Lemons, oranges, limes and other citrus fruits have high concentrations of citric acid. Citric acid is used for many things, it’s not only in food, but it can be added to foods for flavoring, it’s used in soaps, detergents, and also used to dye things. We will be using lemon juice as our alternative to bleach. Bleach is a chemical that can remove color or lighten something. But it’s not safe for kids, so we are substituting bleach with good old lemons. (more…)
Posted in Art School, Science Fun | 1 Comment »
Kids DIY | Summer Sun Art
Monday, July 23rd, 2012
Looking for an interesting way to display your child’s treasures found while beach combing or a summer hike? Have them try this super simple sun art project that combines outdoor recreation, science and doodling. (more…)
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Kids DIY, Science Fun | 7 Comments »
Geode Smashing | Camp Classic Play!
Monday, July 16th, 2012
Posted in Science Fun | 3 Comments »
Mega Marble Run
Monday, May 14th, 2012
We hacked a Melissa & Doug easel to create a double-sided mega marble run that stood the test of 100s of kids at the USA Science + Engineering Festival.
Want to make a mega marble run for your kids? Let’s get to it!
(more…)
Posted in Games & Creative Play, Science Fun | 2 Comments »
Weekending in Pictures
Monday, April 30th, 2012
picture from the USA Science + Engineering Festival
lessons in salt + sugar dough circuitry
Homopolar Motors
We had a great time in DC this weekend at the USA Science and Engineering Festival. It was pretty much non-stop people at the booth the entire time of the festival. (more…)
Posted in Features, Science Fun | 2 Comments »
Attend the USA Science + Engineering Festival?
Saturday, April 28th, 2012
Hi there and thanks for stopping by our table. We hope you and your kids had fun learning how to make their own toys using marbles, magnets and batteries.
Here are some helpful links so you can try out the activities at home, in the classroom or at your next hands-on learning event:
Salt + Sugar Dough Circuits
For recipes and instructions click here. To buy kits, click here.
Thaumatrope
Check out this link for the science behind this optical illusion toy.
Homopolar Motor
This little motor is quite clever. Click here to see how you can make one at home.
Magnetic Marble Run
Sadly I don’t have a link, but am working on a tutorial. So stay tuned…
Posted in Science Fun | No Comments »
USA Science + Engineering Festival
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
My Mom, sister and I are gearing up for a mega weekend in Washington, DC at the USA Science and Engineering Festival. We’ll spend two days showing kids how to make simple circuits and thaumatropes.
I’m nervous because it’s an entire weekend. And there will be thousands and thousands of people. And I have to drive into DC. I hate driving in DC. And I have to organize all the stuff we’re taking. I’m terrible at organizing.
GAH!
Deep breaths.
Actually, I more excited than nervous. Bill Nye the Science Guy is hosting a star gazing party (less intimate than our family one but with way more celebrity power, Woo Hoo!) and the Myth Busters are there again this year. My kids’ heads are going to explode. They’re huge fans. They’ve come up with all sorts of ideas for Adam and Jamie’s new Unchained Reaction show.
And of course, I’m absolutely swooning over all the psychology presentations. Honestly, I know I should try to maintain some air of mystery, element of maturity or glamor about myself, but forgive me as I totally go all kid in a candy shop on you for a moment: OMG I AM SO EXCITED!
The brain is such a fascinating machine. Did you know that by simply teaching children how the brain works, they can improve how they approach learning? And how we, as adults, can apply these same methods to keep our brains nimble and strong? This is quite reductionist, but by simply exposing yourself to new experiences, you create new neural connections. It’s why living in a different country increases our creativity, and taking on new hobbies throughout our lives reduces our risk for developing Alzheimers.
And also why it’s critical to maintain a lifestyle of play throughout our years. It’s not just a cute thing for kids. It’s a necessary exercise for the lifespan.
But I digress…
I told you I was excited. *wink*
Anyway, if you can, check out the Festival this weekend. If you can’t, get the kids to create their very own Science + Engineering Festival. Just click here for a link to projects pictured below.
Posted in Science Fun | 1 Comment »
Balloon Cars
Monday, April 16th, 2012
The USA Science and Engineering Festival is coming to DC later this month*. To celebrate, the kids and I put together a Balloon Car tutorial for (cool)progeny.
Apparently, our little DIY is making the rounds on pinterest. Go science + engineering! We had a great time with it and hope you and your kids have fun with it too. Check it out!
*I’ll be manning the EBK/Classic Play table there so if you’re attending, swing by and say hi!
Posted in Science Fun | 1 Comment »
