Declo Science Fair Kick-Off

I had a fun time with the 4th and 5th grade classes yesterday.  Here are a few of the points we talked about:  the project guides and the display boards are free this year for all the students.  The teachers are passing those materials out to the students.  The teachers are in charge of grading the projects as class assignments.  The projects are due on April 9th and will be displayed at the Community Dinner on April 10th.  Check with your child's teacher about doing projects with a partner. 

Most importantly, have FUN with your project!  Choose a topic that interests you and check the websites that are in the packet or on this blog.  Start soon by choosing a topic this month, and starting your experiment by March.  Projects are not reports and are not models.  Students were reminded they had to test something...compare objects...do an experiment.  We are here to help so good luck and discover something new!

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!

INBRE Grant at CSI...Article in Times-News

This article summarizes all the great opportunities that the Biology Department has pursued with the INBRE Grant money. I have been personally so grateful for these funds because the Burley Lab now has most of the same equipment that is available to students on the main campus.   For instance, after we make and run our gels through the electrophoresis chambers, we have a new UV light box to see the stained bands.  Woohoo!

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Here is a link to the INBRE website, and they talk a little about the outreach that we do at CSI.  Because of INBRE funds, we have been able to visit schools throughout Magic Valley and bring science experiences to students of all ages.

http://inbre.uidaho.edu/outreach/idaho_outreach_network/

Junior High visits CSI Mini Cassia Center

Yesterday I hosted a 7th grade class from BJH in the MCC lab.  We did a microscope activity and they were able to see their own cheek cells, stained and 400x bigger than normal!  It was a great morning, and I am grateful for their teacher, Mrs. G, for having a passion for teaching science.  Keep it up!

Another great teacher getting materials through donors...

I read this article over the weekend and I am encouraged by willing and motivated teachers.  They are solving their needs by reaching out online.  Try it for yourself...I know it works, especially for smaller quantities of materials. 

http://desne.ws/qIuA2n

I spent yesterday with some great kids at Cassia High School.  We did activities about magnetism, chemical reactions, and engineering.  I appreciate all the opportunities I have to visit classrooms and see students who are motivated to learn.

St Nicholas Science Outreach

What a fun afternoon at St Nicholas School!  The students and teachers were so excited for our visit.  Thanks to Vangie for the invite, and Mr. Bill for always blowing their minds while crushing cans.

Mr. Bill demonstrating Rutherford's experiment about the nucleus...ping pong balls were thrown toward the silver plates, and the children counted how many hits occurred.

I focused on states of matter and properties of water.  That lava lamp never gets old!

Tomorrow is also a great adventure to INL...pictures to come!