We are honored to periodically host the Carnival of Education. Hats off to our good friend Jane Goodwin for all of her work on the latest Carnival. - editor

It’s time to put on our thinking caps and experience the 190th Carnival of Education, right here at Steve Spangler’s blog!

All learning is scientific, you know.  The world is a giant laboratory, and every day, we are all, regardless of our ages, making discoveries never before known to mankind.

Perhaps some of you will make some discoveries right here at the Carnival of Education!

Remember now, we don’t all necessarily have to agree on everything to appreciate it, or realize that it has a value.

Let’s begin with some Games for the Brain.  That will make us alert and ready for some educational action.

Over at Three Standard Deviations to the Left, there is some discussion about low expectations.  Mr. IB lets us know, in no uncertain terms, that HIS expectations are high. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 13% [?]

I remember a time when Halloween was nothing more than dressing up and running from house to house in search of the greatest candy bars. Fast-forward to 2008 and Halloween is a big deal… elaborate costumes, parties galore and merchandising second only to Christmas. Oh, did I mention that it’s a dream come true for the highly-motivated, somewhat neurotic science teacher who can’t wait to make things glow, ooze, pop, scream and gross out everyone who is willing to participate.

If you’re one of these teachers, please keep reading (because I need your help). This year, we’re compiling a list of the best Halloween Science Demos… so far. You’ll find some of my favorites in the list below, but this is just the starting point. I want to know your best Halloween Science Demos.

Just post a comment below and share what makes your students (or children) scream with excitement!

• Atomic Slime
  
• Dry Ice Experiments
  
• Halloween Recipes
  
• Dry Ice Crystal Ball Bubble
  
• Halloween Sounds
  
• Light Sticks
  
• VIDEO: Exploding Pumpkins

Popularity: 8% [?]

Every once in a while I stumble across a new resource or website and say, “Why didn’t I know about this before now?” If you’re a teacher and you don’t know about The Carnival of Education, check it out! As I understand it, the Carnival of Education is hosted on a new education site each week, and it has an amazing readership. Brew a second pot of coffee because once you start reading, you’ll get roped in for a few hours (each time you check it out).

Popularity: 22% [?]

I’m not sure if Halloween was better for me as a kid or right now as an adult… but it’s no secret that I make the most out of every Halloween. As a holiday, Halloween has changed so much over the years. I never remember my parents being invited to an “adult�? Halloween party, but now these parties are more popular than ever. When my family and I arrived at a neighbor’s Halloween party last year, we were greeted by ghosts and goblins on the driveway who lead us through an awesome maze, into their hanunted house on our way into the party. The whole garage had been transformed into a full-blown haunted mansion! Yes, Halloween has changed over the years and this is part of the inspiration behind a our Halloween Science Kit.

As a teacher, I could hardly wait for the first of October to roll around so I could start planning my Halloween Science demos and activities for my students. Every year my Halloween Science unit grew… and so did the storage space I needed to keep everything. Beakers, graduated cylinders, cauldrons, static electricity machine, growing body parts… you name it and we probably have it in storage. I also found this addiction to be quite contagious. It didn’t take long to get my fellow teachers hooked on the idea of using this “crazy�? time of the year to actually teach some cool science. Every year my fellow teachers and I would add new demos and activities until we were bursting at the seams with a great Halloween Science unit.

We’re very proud of our Halloween Science Kit. It’s filled with lots of great science and the fun-factor is at an all-time high. Take a look and tell me what else you would have added from your collection of eerie science favorites.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Just stick your head above the crowd and someone will shoot at it. One Colorado elementary teacher is getting hit in the head with flying film canisters powered by water and Alka-Seltzer… and the kids are being praised. Colorado Association of Science Teachers selected Shannon Koppenfafer as the Science Teacher of the Year for the state’s elementary school teachers. She was nominated by John McConnell, the Grand Valley’s version of Mr. Science who runs the Western Colorado Math and Science Center.

Here’s a secret that I learned years ago… constantly seek out amazing teachers. Read about them… watch them in action… study their writings… find out what makes them tick. As teachers, we all benefit when one of our own receives this type of well-deserved recognition. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 9% [?]