What is Science?

Yesterday I was reminded of several things.   First,  technology had made this world very small.  A HS classmate of mine from TX posted a cute video clip of a dad singing with his daughter.   Well,  I told her that he was the brother of my daughter's ballet teacher.     But the blog worthy part of that story is that he is also the first winner, in 2012, of a science challenge that asked scientists to explain complex topics to 11 year Olds.   The children actually voted on the submissions, and Ben Ames, singing dad and doctoral student at University of Innsbrook,  won by explaining best "What is a Flame."

http://www.centerforcommunicatingscience.org/the-flame-challenge-2/meet-last-years-winner/

This year the question is "What is color?"  The submissions are in and children all over the world have been asked to judge.   This is such a cool idea!
  Thanks Alan Alda!
http://www.centerforcommunicatingscience.org/the-flame-challenge-2/what-is-color/

COSMOS is back with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Last night I enjoyed the new COSMOS show hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson.  There were poignant moments and interesting stories.  I am not sure how I feel about the animated segments, but I understand why it is part of the show.  With Seth McFarlane as a producer, I knew to expect something in his favorite genre.  I hope there is plenty of discovery and great footage of the universe as we now understand it, and the opportunity to discuss a variety of theories in a civil way.  I was happy with the first show, because in the end, it was about the passion and compassion of Carl Sagan and how his legacy is worth sharing with a new generation.

http://www.cosmosontv.com/?gclid=CL3OyuGUiL0CFexcMgodFnIAig

CSI Herrett Center Science Camp-In

Explore Herrett: Science Camp In

The Herrett Center for Arts and Science is hosting a Science Camp-in on April 4 & 5, 2014 for grades 3^rd – 5^th . We hope  to encourage children in science by having fun with it.  This Science Camp-in is available to students from far and wide.  The hands-on workshops are taught by professionals in chemistry, archaeology,  health science, physics, astronomy, and more.  See attached registration form for list of workshops.

Campers will have the opportunity to participate in two workshops for more hands-on fun!  They will also attend a planetarium show in our new upgraded theater.  Campers will then have the chance to form social connections and gain team building skills with informal educational science activities.

Campers will then experience their own  “Night in the Museum” at the Herrett Center, under constant adult supervision. It will be a memorable night and an unique experience by spending the entire night in the museum where imaginations come to life!

It is first come, first served…so sign up now to ensure your child’s place for the classes of their choice.

Registration: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm  Friday, April 4^th

Parents will pick up their children 7:30 am - 8:00 am Saturday, April 5^th

The registration fee is $40 per camper and is limited to the first 72 campers who sign up. Participants are required to sign up before the registration deadline of Monday, March 24. Registration form is attached. No registrations can be taken at the door the night of the event. For more information or to sign up, contact Aaron Ursenbach at 732-6664 or at aursenbach@csi.edu

Fun Discovery from the Kitchen!

Thanks to my son, we went searching for a variety of answers about yeast tonight.  He didn't like my Biology 101 answers and he said I was overthinking it.  So I found a fun website and a kindred spirit in Minnesota.  There are science moms all over, and this one is the "Kitchen Pantry Scientist."  I love how she uses her talents in Art to better demonstrate and explain the topics she is sharing.  Enjoy!

http://kitchenpantryscientist.com/

Flag Day Science

So today is Flag Day and this is a fun activity to do with your kids.  We get out the construction paper and make a "negative image" of the American Flag.  Oh, that sentence may get the wrong kind of traffic on my blog, but I mean opposite color.  This is a science activity about light and color.   Stare at the image below for a few minutes, then look down at the white space below.

Why did you see a red, white and blue American flag? Those colors are the negative of the above black, blue and yellow image. The negative is what is left after you stop staring at the image. If you were to take the above image and open it in MS Photo Editor and select negative from the effects menu you would have a nice bright American flag.

Dr. Seuss Day tomorrow, March 2

This has been a fun week to celebrate science in my life!  Tomorrow, many schools will recognize the impact of Dr. Seuss on children's literacy through a variety of activities.  After school, you can take your kids to see The Lorax, a classic tale with environmental lessons.  (see PSA post)

For me, it is the perfect excuse to make oobleck with my kids and anyone else who brings me a box of cornstarch.  We have a school-wide reading night, and last year we made a big mess at my station, because kids love oobleck!  (Of course, you have to read Bartholomew and the Oobleck first...a book about weather.)  After that activity, we talk about microorgansims, and I use the book, Horton Hears a Who, to teach them that we haven't always known about things too small to see.

Oobleck is not an exact recipe, but all you need is cornstarch and water.  I have attached a link that discusses the chemistry of this non-newtonian liquid.  I always add green food coloring to simulate the gloppy oobleck that falls from the sky in Dr. Seuss' book.  The best part is that it cleans up with water, or dries out and turns back into powder cornstarch. 

http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/ht/oobleck.htm

Virtual Science Fair Contest...Magic Valley Parents Read this!!

OK...this is great! Since many families are already working on science fair projects at local schools, you can easily submit your child's project to this contest at Parenting.com by March 11, 2012. I know that is a little fast, but sometimes I don't find out about stuff as soon as I want! I am judging a fair on March 9 in Minidoka County, so those families could enter. And several TF schools are already done, so they could enter also. The prize is $5000, so let's get some of our great projects entered!!


Enter Parenting Magazine’s Virtual Science Fair and Win $5,000

The Science of Valentine's Day

This is a week late, but I wanted to post just the same so you have these ideas.  I am a poor man's Steve Spangler, since he sells products and workshops for hundreds of dollars a pop.  But I do love his blog because he shares experiments...hoping you will go to his website to buy the materials.  Many of his experiments can be replicated with household materials, and that's what I do.

Last week, I helped with my 1st grader's Valentine's Party.  Of course, I did a science station.  Of course, I colored carnations for the kids.  And I do have some of these hand boilers...and I will buy the friction pens as soon as I find some.  I will have to make a call for liquid nitrogen!  :)  So thanks Steve...you really are bringing science to the masses.  Someday I hope to be able to afford one of your workshops!  The cruise one sounds fun!

The Science of Valentine’s Day – Love Potions, Love Meters and Hidden Messages

Herrett Center Camp-In March 2-3

My kids had a great time last year at the Camp-In!  But fair warning....they get VERY little sleep.  Darcy keeps them moving with awesome activities!  My daughter took a greenhouse class with Treeman Dave, and Kenyon made bird crafts with Randy and Jan from the Biology Dept.  I helped Sarah in the microscope class.  My favorite was watching "Dr. Picklestein" from BSU.  Also, since I wasn't going to leave my kids that far from home...I camped at a hotel down the street!  It was a fun weekend for all of us. Sign up your kids soon...so they get into the workshops they want.

Students in third through fifth grades are urged to sign up soon for the Science Camp-In at the Herrett Center for Arts and Science the evening of Friday, March 2.

Event organizer and Herrett Center Education Coordinator Darcy Thornborrow has lined up hands-on workshops in chemistry, rocket science, archaeology, aquaculture, geology, astronomy, and more. Each session will be directed by scientists from the CSI faculty or an outside agency.

Students who sign up for the evening’s activities will list their top choices of workshops. The group will also see a show in the Faulkner Planetarium, view through telescopes in the Centennial Observatory, have snacks, get a Science Camp-In T-shirt, and then sleep overnight in the Herrett galleries, under constant adult supervision. Parents will pick up their children at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 3.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday, March 2. The registration fee is $40 per student and must be limited to the first 140 students who sign up. Participants are required to sign up before the registration deadline of Friday, Feb. 24. No registrations can be taken at the door the night of the event. For more information or to sign up, contact Thornborrow at 732-6664 or at dthornborrow@csi.edu.

Idaho Power sponsors Free Family Day at Birds of Prey

I saw this on FB yesterday, and the rain will keep me away today, but there is another date, February 18,  that I can finally travel to the Birds of Prey Center.  I have never been there with my family!

From Idaho Power
"We’re sponsoring Family Field Trip Saturday again this year at the World Center for Birds of Prey. The picture below has all the details, but here’s all you need to know: it’s tomorrow, it’s fun, it’s educational and it’s free!"

Remember that Idaho Power is also sponsoring Powering Tomorrow Grants and the deadline to apply and vote is Jan 31.   Vote for your favorite projects on Facebook.