Q: Tell us a little about who you are… A: Let’s see… I’m definitely not a scientist, I’m not in a band, I’m not an ultra-creative graphic designer, I’m not on Ellen, I haven’t been featured on YouTube, I rarely blow things up. My life is pretty boring compared to some of the people I work with.
I’m a mom, wife, dog walker, former high school English teacher, volunteer, taxi driver, sports fan (especially my kids’ sports), non-profit fund raiser, Duke grad, music lover, golfer, and avid reader. I have lived in Colorado most of my life and am passionate about education and the outdoors. I serve as a Trustee on a non-profit Board (the John Austin Cheley Foundation) that raises money to provide summer camp experiences for kids around the country.
This is the perfect experiment for our motto, “Don’t do it at home, do it at a friend’s home.” Who wants to make a mess in their own microwave?
Ivory soap is one of the only soaps that float. Drop it in water and check for yourself. But how does Ivory float when most soaps sink?
For this experiment, take a new, fresh bar of Ivory soap (not one that has been sitting on the shelf for a long time). Cut it into smaller pieces and note that the bar does not have pockets of air. The air is pumped into the soap during the manufacturing process. Microwave for a minute or less and watch what happens. If you microwave the soap for a long time, it will start to turn brown and gross, so watch it while it cooks.
There is science behind every sound we hear. Sound is made from vibrations in the air. Different materials making different vibrations make different sounds based on the amplification and speed of the sound wave. Here are some of our favorite materials and experiments with sound - Screaming Cup (the stick and slide method), a Thunder Tube, Space Phone, Talking Strips, Singing Rod and Sound Hose. Another favorite is Boomwhackers.
Some people do crazy things to kick off the New Year, like jumping in a frozen lake or walking on hot coals. I celebrate the New Year with my own crazy stunt – walking on glass. This isn’t for the weak and not an activity for anyone to try at home. But with a little science know-how and a lot of sharp, broken glass, this is my way of ringing in the New Year.
Q: Tell us a little about who you are…
