March 26, 2019 Physics is Fun!: Simple Machines

Our focus today was on the simple machines:  wedges, ramps and inclined planes.  We used a wedge and a pair of scissors to cut play dough.  We used a ramp to move a heavy basket full of water bottles onto a shelf.  We moved an egg down a ramp very slowly to understand that the slope of a ramp affects the speed at which something moves.  We made an art project with screws and screw drivers.  And we played with cars and ramps to end our day.  Hard to believe that a wedge, a ramp and an inclined plane can be so much fun! (Pictures will be posted soon - having technical difficulty.)

March 19, 2019 Physics is Fun!: Lesson 1 Fun With Forces

Today we had fun  with forces!  We learned that a force involves a push or a pull.  It takes a  big force to move heavy things like the a basket with a concrete block in it.  (Good thing the students all had strong muscles! :) When you use a big force such as from a vacum,  light things like pompoms,  move fast!   Playing with parachutes taught us about gravity, a force that pulls things to the ground and drag,  a force that pushes back against gravity.  And our final activity -stomp rockets- had us use the force of air pressure to counteract gravity.  Lots of concepts - lots of fun!  Pictures are below. 

February 12, 2019 Can Do Chemistry Lesson 6: Chemistry in the Kitchen

Our last session of Can Do Chemistry had the students mixing solids, liquids and gasses to create rolls, butter and root beer floats.   We had some extra time while waiting for the bread to rise....and challenged the students to balance a graduated cylinder on their hands, heads, feet, or where ever else  they wanted - crazy fun for everyone!  Pictures are below.  Enjoy!

February 5, 2019 Can Do Chemistry Session 5: Chemical Reactions!

Today's lesson was all about Chemical Reactions!  We used colored vinegar and baking soda to make an art project on a plate.  We used vinegar and baking soda a second time to make a floating glove.  We made a "snow storm" in a glass with oil, water mixed with white paint and an alka seltzer tablet.  And we made a small explosion in a film canister with water and an alka seltzer tablet.  I tried to take as many pictures as possible but some experiences will have to just be captured in our memories - they happened so fast and we ALL needed to focus!  Pictures are below.  Enjoy!

January 29, 2019 Can Do Chemistry Session 4: Mixtures

Our 4th session of Can Do Chemistry focused on mixtures, allowing us to use concepts learned in previous lessons about elements, measurement, and states of matter.   We mixed oil, water, food coloring and dish soap.  We mixed cornstarch and water for ooblek.  And we mixed glue, water, shaving cream and contact solution to make fluffy slime. A great time was had by all!   Pictures are below!  Enjoy!

 

January 24, 2019 Can Do Chemistry Session 3: States of Matter

Seems appropriate to focus on states of matter when Mother Nature is giving us so many examples!

Here is what we did in class: played inside with snow, learned the "States of Matter" song,  read a story, went on a states of matter scavenger hunt, used pipettes to transfer colored water onto wax paper and then tilted the paper to connect the drops, recovered pennies from a cube of ice, painted a block of ice, and filled balloons with air to take home.

It was much more fun experiencing the states of matter in the classroom than outside on the roads!  Pictures are below.  Enjoy!