Easter Eggs and Natural Dyes

There are so many ways to bring science into your homes, especially during holidays.  This fun graphic explains how you can color Easter eggs with natural dyes!   Hold the line by following guidelines about social distancing!

212 Movie...The Power of One Degree

I do like a good analogy, especially when it makes a connection between a scientific principle and a life lesson.  This youtube clip was shared with me at a recent PTO meeting at my kids' school.  The idea is that there is just one degree that separates hot water from boiling/steaming powerful water.  Since I just did an outreach lesson about how cool water is, I thought it was time to share this Monday morning motivational message.  Have a great week!  Make the effort to go the extra "degree!"

http://www.212movie.com/

Outreach at Dworshak Elementary

I had a good time with 2nd Graders today.  We started with water experiments, and moved on to other fun liquids like vinegar, oil, and corn syrup.  Of course I showed my lava lamp, and I wanted to show my readers how easy it is to make your own.  Thanks to Mrs. Troxel for the invitation, and I hope the teachers check my blog for fun ideas and teacher resources.

Science Mom Lava Lamp
clear 2 liter bottle, cleaned
vegetable oil
colored water
alka-selzer tablets

Fill the bottle one-third full of the water, then the rest with oil.  The oil is lighter (less dense) so it will float on top of the water...even if you put the oil in first.
Put an alka selzer tablet in the bottle, and keep the lid off.  The bubbles will carry the colored water to the top of the oil, pop, then the water drops back down. 
That's it!  It is a great way to discuss density, chemical reactions, gases, and how to change a demonstration into a science fair project.  Test different types of liquids or oils to see if the bubbles change!

Admiral Fitzroy Storm Glass

I received the coolest Christmas present from my in-laws.  I am now the proud owner of a Fitzroy Storm Glass.  It took me a minute to realize how cool this weather gadget was, because I had never heard of it...but Admiral Fitzroy's name was very familiar.  Well, of course he was the captain of the HMS Beagle, the ship that carried Charles Darwin around the world on his famous adventure.  While on this 5 year journey, the captain made detailed observations of this weather glass, which had been used since the 1700s, and refined the design and materials used.  I am thrilled to have a piece of Beagle history in my house!  But what is so much cooler , is that you can make your own...with a little help from friends with chemicals... (Megan, that's you!)  So here are your very own instructions to make a storm glass.  Happy Winter!!

 http://chemistry.about.com/od/weirdscience/a/fitzroy.htm

and here is a link to some good questions that came up from this article...
http://chemistry.about.com/b/2010/09/03/storm-glass-specifics.htm

Kool-Aid Chemistry and favorite Kool-Aid recipe for playdough

One of my goals for this blog is to make science fun for families to explore and understand together.  So I downloaded Popular Science for my new Kindle :), and I get daily science articles.  I am sharing the Kool-Aid link because I have been making homemade playdough for years thanks to my friend Natalie and this recipe.  Recently I have been using this basic recipe to explore a new experiment called Squishy Circuits that teaches children about circuitry using playdough.  Absolutely the coolest thing ever!

So here is the Popsci.com article and my recipe.  I will also link you to Squishy Circuits.  I am preparing demos to take to schools in 2012.  Very exciting!

http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2011-11/instant-kool-aid-eight-ounces-water-and-full-innovation

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

Kool-Aid Playdough:
MIX Together:  3.5 cups flour, 0.5 cup salt, and 1 TB cream of tartar
MIX together: 4 packages koolaid...same color and flavor
                        2.25 cups boiling water
                        3 TB oil

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and knead, first with a spoon since it will be hot, then with your hands!  The flour used is actually variable...I start with 3 cups and add until the dough is not sticky.  I store this playdough in the fridge in an airtight container for months.  It is great fun for all ages!
I usually half the recipe so that I can make 4-5 batches of different colors without using all the flour in the house!

Family Science Nights at CSI - TF and Burley

Christmas plus chemistry, EQUALS FUN! You will never think of Christmas the same way after you spend and evening performing holiday themed science projects.

Instructor: Bill Ebener               Fee: $20 (1-3 people),

$25 (4-5 people) $30 (6+ people)

Bill has some great activities planned so sign up today!



Contact:  Diane Gause   208-732-6442  dgause@csi.edu

How to celebrate Earth Science Week

I have some great events scheduled this week throughout the Magic Valley, so tonight I will post a few ideas to celebrate Earth Science.  On Tuesday, teachers and students can participate in "No Child Left Inside" Day.  Go outdoors and look at rocks, erosion, water, and anything else that can give us clues about the Earth.  On Wednesday, it is National Fossil Day, sponsored by the National Park Service.  For more ideas about activities, go to nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday
On Friday, we can focus on Chemistry and the Earth....a great idea since it is the International Year of Chemistry.  (chemistry2011.org)

Have a great week in all that you do.  I will share my adventures each day...I promise to bring back lots of pictures of STEM in Action!

Shoshone Falls, TF, Idaho

University of Utah Scientist Honored

This is for you Megan!  Chemistry Rocks!

http://desne.ws/nXA1Zx

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705391512/National-science-medalist-from-University-of-Utah-credits-freedom-and-opportunity-in-US-for-his.html?pg=1s