Squishy Circuits Website

This is my new favorite demo, but I still have a lot to learn.  Thanks so much to AnnMarie Thomas and all her creative work.  So glad I found this activity.

http://courseweb.stthomas.edu/apthomas/SquishyCircuits/

The demo was hard to see on TV yesterday, but it does work!  I didn't have time to show the sushi circuit with both types of playdough...salt and sugar.  We are having fun with it!  Try it out!

Another visit to KMVT this morning!

Well, they asked me back to talk about Science Camp that is next week in TF.  I have a great staff and some really fun activities planned so let your friends and neighbors know about it.  Have a super weekend!

http://www.kmvt.com/features/riseandshine/Science-experiments-on-live-TV-126321198.html

Project Learning Tree Workshop in Twin Falls

I just heard from Michelle in Boise and there is room in the Wildfires and Weeds PLT Workshop next week.  I love the PLT program and I wish I could go, but I will be in the middle of Science Camp.  The workshop is Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30-4 both days, at Magic Valley HS in TF.  The cost is $30 + graduate credit fee.  Here is the link to register online, then she will be in touch to give you more details.

http://www.idahoforests.org/plt1.htm

These workshops are always fun!  And who doesn't need advice on weeds?

School Supply Sale for teachers!

So I ran into Shopko today to get supplies for the Science Camp in Twin Falls.  While I was there, I decided to get some school supplies...even though it is JULY!  Anyway, Shopko is having a special sale just for teachers this Wednesday, the 27th.  Teachers with an ID or paystub can get 15% additional off their purchases.  With crayons and folders at 15 cents, it would be a good day to get an even better deal!  Happy Shopping!

Summer School Visit

Today I had a fun visit with these local kids.  As part of their chemistry week, they made tye-dye shirts and I had to get their picture.  Since we weren't sure about photo waivers...here is how we got around it!  Thanks teachers for doing a great job with these smart kids!

STAR PARTY at City of Rocks

Families...here is our chance to get out there and look UP!  Even though Atlantis has landed, there is plenty to see both day and night.  This Friday and Saturday, travel to City of Rocks near Almo for their annual star party.  Activities start at 2:00 for solar viewing, and 9:30 PM for nighttime viewing.  The event is free, but Park Day use fees still apply.   Contact Castle Rocks State Park for more information.  Have fun!

iSTEM Conference at CSI

What a great time we had at the iSTEM Conference this week!  I got the chance to present at one of the strands, and those teachers are awesome!  Here are a few pictures from our class...I presented my Black Box Inquiry Experiment, and the teachers also built hoverscrafts and did chromatography.  Thanks for coming!!  Keep in touch!

Science Buddies Blog: Science Mom Archives

So I love this site...and the blog is like my mother ship. No pun intended. Science Buddies links students to working scientists for projects, advice, and plain old inspiration. Look around and get some great ideas!

Science Buddies Blog: Science Mom Archives

American Girls Sweep Google’s First Science Fair - NYTimes.com

American Girls Sweep Google’s First Science Fair - NYTimes.com

I just had to share this article! It is not about dolls...it is about a Ft. Worth girl winning the first ever Google Science Fair! Awesome!!

SOI Teacher Workshop Pictures

We had such a fun time building rockets and just learning about all the great NASA resources out there for us to explore.  Here are a few pictures...

14 Teachers from 7 Cassia Schools!  Awesome~

Pop Can Hero Engine

Rocket Racers

Heavy Lifting....Rockets with Boosters

Black Box Design/Build

And of course...the High Powered Rocket Launching!  Woohoo!

Summer of Innovation Teacher Workshop

Today and tomorrow I get to explore space science and rocketry with some great Cassia Teachers!  I will post pictures after we get done.  This workshop is provided by the Idaho Space Grant Consortium, which is connected to NASA.  This is a very good group to know about...great resources and events!  The team is based out of the Univ of Idaho.

http://id.spacegrant.org/

There are about 65 kids signed up for a free rocketry camp all week also.  They were having a great time!
Thank you ISGC for coming to Burley, and to Marta for getting them here!!!

PLT Greenworks Grant

This post is for teachers who have always wanted to do an outdoor project for their school or community...with students of course.   A few years ago I was trained as a Project Learning Tree Presenter, and I really love this group.  The workshops are fun and interesting, and their resources are great!  Well, the National PLT awards Greenworks Grants to teachers and schools, and another application deadline is coming up in September.  So I thought I would share the link.

http://www.plt.org/greenworks

Our state coordinator is Michelle Youngquist and she can help you with the process.  Contact me for more information.

The VOICE article

Here is a link to the article that ran today in The Voice, another local paper.  I wish she would have included the comments from campers, but I am grateful for any chance to "Cell-ebrate Science!"  That's what Bill's shirt says in the picture.  The story behind those shirts is nothing short of amazing.  I saw them online from a group called "Science Wear", during camp week.  They happen to be based in Fort Worth.  I mentioned to my mom how I wish I had found them a week earlier.  That was on Tuesday morning.  I had a box of shirts at my house by Wednesday afternoon.  She had found them, called them, ordered shirts, called my cousin to pick them up, met my cousin at Fedex, and had the box shipped by 6 PM that day.  I love my mom!


http://minicassiavoice.com/community/education/an-%e2%80%98egg%e2%80%99cellent-adventure/

Today I did a little show at a summer school for migrant students.  They were so great!  I get to go back next week and do some chemistry with them.  Can't wait! 

More Science Camp Pictures

As we gear up for Science Camp in Twin Falls, I wanted to share a few more pictures of my campers in Burley.  What a great week we had!  Thanks to Dr. Steve Shropshire from ISU and his team for bringing such an awesome physics and laser show to our campers and our community.  I know it was a favorite event for everyone.  The team is returning for the TF camp so I am excited for that opportunity.

Science Camp Information for Twin Falls, Gooding, and Hailey

I still have room for teachers to help.  They receive a free credit from NNU, access to materials and support from CSI, and their kids attend camp free if they are in elementary school.  Contact me if you are interested.   To register kids, just use their online registration process.  So EASY!

Take a free visit to the Bingham Copper Mine this month!

Thanks Vicki for sharing this information on FB.  I have always wanted to visit the Mine, and this might be the time to go. 
http://www.kennecott.com/visitors-center/

I just returned from a quick trip to Bountiful, so I thought it was worth mentioning that the Hill Air Force  Base Aerospace Museum is also free.  My kids love to see all the cool planes.

http://www.hill.af.mil/library/museum/

Had to share this great quote...

I found this in the preface to one of my YNP geology guide books this weekend...

"I am convinced that, at it's best, science is simple - that the simplest arrangement of facts that sets forth the truth best deserves the term science.  So the [geology] I plead for is that which states facts in plain words - in language understood by the many rather than by the few."
George Otis Smith, Director of USGS 1907-1930

I liked this because I am trying to share science with many, to get beyond this language barrier that can be intimidating.  So go have fun exploring the world this summer with your kids.

News from Yellowstone National Park

We just returned from a great weekend to one of my family's favorite places...Island Park and YNP!  I have fun news for families and teachers.  The Junior Ranger Program is free this year to celebrate it's 20th Anniversary.  We have our kids do it every year, and it is a fun way to explore the park.  They can also sign up for Young Scientist, which costs $5.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/forkids/beajuniorranger

I am also including a few pictures from the new Visitor's Center at Old Faithful.  It is a great addition to the Park, and it is worth a stop if you are lucky enough to visit this summer.

We always visit a new area of the Park, and after 18 years (OK, Don has spent his lifetime visiting the park), there are still lots of places we haven't been.  This year, we went to Cave Falls in the far southwest corner of the Park.  This corner is known for Waterfalls and Bears, and most of the visitors take horses into the backcountry to see the big waterfalls.  Maybe we will do that someday, but you can drive to Cave Falls.  On the way there, you can stop at Mesa Falls, a favorite stop for us.  On the way back to Island Park, we stopped at Horseshoe Lake.  That was a great little spot to discover and get out the fishing poles for a minute.  So feel free to ask me about YNP...I am always willing to share our favorite hikes and experiences.

Camp Pictures and another link

Here is a link to the article from the Times-News this week.  We should have another article/picture in the Voice next week.

http://magicvalley.com/news/local/mini-cassia/article_0c2d7014-a20e-11e0-b8b7-001cc4c002e0.html.

I think it is great that these kids can be recognized for their interest in science.  I will post more pictures after a much-needed Holiday weekend!

Here is the AWESOME and FREE NASA Camp information! Local Junior High Teachers and Students are invited to participate.

Dear Educator,

I am writing to inform you that the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium has a great opportunity headed your way! Through the Summer of Innovation grant that we received last year, we are offering a FREE two day teacher workshop to teachers within the state of Idaho. The workshops, which will focus on NASA STEM material and are targeted toward rural/low-income and minority based communities. The workshop will provide you with hands on activities, resources and the materials needed to implement fun and exciting new STEM curriculum in your classroom. Lunch is provided for participants each day and we will also provide one professional development credit to anyone who would like to partake. The workshop will run from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM each day. The workshop in your area is set to be held July 18 & 19 in Burley, ID. To register for the workshop, please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/soiteacher 

BUT WAIT.... THAT'S NOT ALL!.....

We will also be holding a FREE five day camp for the students in your area July 18-22. The camp will allow students to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics in ways that they never have before. They will engage in hands on activities featuring robotics and aerodynamics. They will learn about food in space and have the chance to add rocket launches and constellation stories to their list of summer activities. Lunch will be provided each day and a community dinner will be held on the last day (Friday, July 22nd) of camp to give the students an opportunity to show off their projects to friends, family and the community. Students can register at http://www.surveymonkey.com/SOIstudent   

The camp will be held in Burley, but students from the surrounding areas are more than welcome! 

We understand that not everyone has access to a computer or the internet, but don't let that stand in your way. Participants can register over the phone as well, just give us a call at (208) 885-6030. 

We encourage you to attend the teacher workshop and ask that you encourage your students to add innovation to their summer as well! 

I have attached flyers for both the student camp and teacher workshop.

Thank you,

Shandy Lam
NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium
Summer of Innovation

Grant Coordinator 
(208) 885-6030

nasacomm@uidaho.edu

(208) 669-0026
slam@vandals.uidaho.edu