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Topic - Informal Science Education
September 19, 2011
Ann Bridgewater, a teacher who traveled to Denver all the way from Hong Kong to attend Science in the Rockies this year, shared a very cool project with us. She uses UV Color Changing Beads to craft Mixed Up Chameleons for a little craft/science/literacy lesson all rolled into one.
Ann weaves embroidery thread in and around the beads to make a chameleon shape. (You can Google this if you need a pattern.) She used black pony beads for the nose, eyes, and feet. Then she reads The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle. Her students then take their chameleons out into the sunlight to detect UV rays with their beads. The once white and black chameleon is now colorfully mixed up.
What a fun idea to bring a character to life while mixing a little science and literacy.
September 9, 2011
Local mom and science fan, Vicki Soriano, knows how to get her kids and all of the families in her neighborhood excited about back to school time. They hold a Back to School Bash to say goodbye to summer and get back into learning mode.
How does a party stimulate the mind ? It’s simple, this block party is all about learning and engaging through educational games and activities.
Vicki is an oncology nurse who not only gets everyone excited about school, but she also raises money for charity. The neighbors donate money to help
Brent’s Place, a place that supports families and children battling cancer. This year, she raised $800 – the largest amount collected in the 5 years that she has been throwing the bash.
This is no simple block party. Vicki made school bus cutouts and decorates the street with a back to school theme.
The bash includes an Opening Ceremony. The kids
participate in fun activities like roaming scavenger hunts, magic
shows and water games.
One of the favorite games is the “Go To School”
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August 2, 2011
By Blog Editor Susan Wells
Our customers are always coming up with unique and creative uses for our science toy products. Marilyn Daggett from Arizona designed duck necklaces with sun energy beads to trade on an upcoming Quacker Factory cruise in October.
Marilyn purchased a pack of our Color Changing UV Beads a few years ago to monitor her sun exposure at the urging of her dermatologist. She had about 500 left over and decided to create necklaces to trade with friends during the cruise. She mixed the UV Beads with crystal and plastic beads along with the duck lamp work beads.
The cruise sets sail in October to several ports of call including the Bahamas, St, Thomas and St. Martin. Quacker Factory is a very popular brand of clothing that sells exclusively on QVC and offers cruises for about 500 of their most dedicated fans. The ladies (and some of their husbands) bring ducky-related items to trade and share during the cruise. Marilyn has made about four dozen necklaces to trade.
She thought they’d be perfect for monitoring sun exposure and fun to wear. (We agree.) Only a few of
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Tags: Color Changing UV Beads, crystal beads, managing sun exposure, plastic beads, pony beads, quacker factory cruise, sun exposure, sun exposure dangers, Sunscreen, uv bead necklaces, UV Beads
Filed under: Cool Products, Informal Science Education
June 7, 2011
By Blog Editor Susan Wells
I am frustrated. As our children grow up, they want to experiment. Explore. Discover. The internet is a wonderful tool to use in their education and growing independence. Growing up, I had to use encyclopedias, libraries, books. Now, everything is at our children’s fingertips. We all know dangers exist on the internet. Today’s kids have to learn how to navigate through the dangers and decipher the pitfalls. But what about when they are researching and learning? What if they are on a website aimed at children and their education? Will they recognize the dangers?
We get numerous requests to share how Steve does the Exploding Pumpkin demonstration. He is very clear that it is a demonstration, not an experiment, and does not give the chemicals or the instructions on how to do it yourself at home. It isn’t a magic trick or a secret. It is dangerous for children.
With knowledge comes power and with power comes responsibility.
Chemistry can be dangerous… and explosive. Mixing chemicals, discovering the flammable elements, and playing with fire; no wonder chemistry also involves safety goggles, hot pads,
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April 4, 2011
NASA is looking for high school students across the country who want to participate in their INSPIRE program – Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience.
The year-round program is for students entering 9th through 12th grade for the 2011/2012 school year in good academic standing and an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM, education and careers. Students accepted into the program are given -
| “…the opportunity to interact with their peers, NASA experts, and education specialists twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Members of the OLC Discover new knowledge while exploring their interests through unique activities and challenges; Connect with subject matters experts through weekly chats and blogs, as well as their peers on an exclusive discussion board; and Equip themselves through access to resources designed to help students prepare for their future as well as information about other NASA competitions/opportunities. Even parents/guardians have a unique opportunity when their student is accepted into the INSPIRE project by providing them with resources designed to help champion their child’s education and career goals.” |
Students will also be able to compete for special experiences during the 2012 summer at NASA facilities and participating
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