Archive for the ‘Science Experiments’ Category
Many of the concepts and lessons taught in school can seem mundane because it is difficult to draw parallels in the “real world.” With all of the seismic activity that has been making headlines around the globe as of late, it is a perfect opportunity to teach your children about plate tectonics theory. There are obviously many facets and nuances to the theory, but here is a quick primer.
According to the theory, the lithosphere is composed of several plates that are constantly in motion. The reason that these plates are able to move is that the lithosphere has a higher strength and lower density than the strata that it is sitting on. When these plates move, they build up friction at the plate lines, and when this friction is released, we feel it in the form of an earthquake.
I am always fascinated by the atmosphere and how it works. A twister or tornadoes as they are also referred to are formed when hot air in the atmosphere rises and cold air from above descends. As these to forces of air fight against each other you create wind shear which creates an updraft causing a tornado.
There are many cool science fair projects that you can do which can really bring home and demonstrate how these tornadoes or twisters are formed. Science today is still working on learning more about these tornadoes and how and when they are formed so they can detect a better warning system. Thanks Moorescience
While growing up I was always more of a hands on person who learned more from doing an experiment. This year we have decided to home school my two daughters and have been looking for ways to back up the learning she is getting with real life applications.
Science kits have a lot of activities you can do that will help teach why things work the way they do. There are plenty of activities in earth science, engineering, chemistry. If its science you can be sure there will be a science kit your home school science topic. Thanks Moorescience
Although my devotion to my studies wavered when I hit high school, throughout my early years of education I was an exemplary student. I admittedly had a good deal of help from my parents, but my projects and assignments were always sure to receive an A. One of my most memorable experiments was one of the science fair projects for kids that I conducted for my second grade class.
For the project, my mom and I endeavored to hatch our own chickens. For over a month, the eggs sat in an incubator in my bedroom, and during the day, I would rotate them to ensure that they were properly heated. At the end of the experiment, I was ecstatic when almost all of the eggs actually hatched and I was able to bring in baby chicks to my class.
Oh how much fun it is to go to the visitor center at your state or national park on your vacation. Before you plan your trip make sure to plan some time at the visitor center where there are plenty of kids science activities.
If your going hiking or have been hiking in the hot or cold weather come inside, and watch a movie about the area. If you have young kids ask if they have a junior rangers program and if they have ideas for kids science activities . Thanks Moorescience
One of the signs that geologists use to predict a volcanic eruption is when a dormant volcano begins to experience more earthquakes on a frequent basis. Before the quiet Mount Saint Hellens blew there was a significant increase is earthquakes from the previous years. This could be an indication that magma is rising to the surface causing shallow quakes just below the surface of the earth.
For me earthquakes and volcanoes are just another sign that this is a living breathing planet that is in a constant state of change. A volcano science kit is a great way to learn about these changes in the earth. Though it may seem like an eruption causes great devastation the fascinating tale of regrowth after an eruption is truly inspiring. Thanks Moorescience
Oh you say you did not know you have a seismograph near you, we all have seismographs near us. Most are not consider like your scientific model that measures the magnitude of a quake by how much the graph moves when the ground shakes. have you ever fixed your picture on the wall and then come back a few days or weeks later and noticed its crooked again. This is most likely caused by miner quakes that happen daily but you most likely would not feel them.
Just like your picture in the house a seismograph remains steady and does not move until the ground shakes. At that moment the needle attached like a pendulum swings and records the data in lines. The stronger the quake the bigger the lines. For more information on seismographs look for science books on earthquakes. Thanks Moorescience
One of the most iconic science fair mainstays is the volcano kit. Volcano science projects continue to be a favorite among school children and serve as a valuable learning tool. While the kit will not entirely why Mount Vesuvius or Mount St. Helens erupts, it will give your child an introduction to chemical reactions.
The eruption in the experiment is caused by combining baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) to create a chemical reaction. Today you can buy kits that offer a more state-of-the-art effect, though the general idea remains the same. When conducting the experiment with your children, it is important to explain the scientific aspect of the experiment and not just use it as entertainment.
There are numerous reports out there on the data that children learn allot of there skills and influence before the age of five. My greatest desire is that as you start your new family don’t be afraid to explore the world of science with them. You do not need to be an expert science teacher. You do not even need to be good at math in order to have good clean kids science activities starting at such a young age. My most precious moments as a father was when my girls were in there quote unquote “terrible twos” it seemed as though life was truly coming alive for them and they wanted to know every thing that happens and how it works.
We have an amazing array of resource for us online to find out about how things work and our made through the use of the Internet and your local library. I was out trimming roses a few years back and my daughter asked why they have thorns? Most of them have thorns to protect them from other bugs or animals. You can choose to tailor your science activities with the question they ask you. You are raising the next generations of the world that will one day take care of our aging bodies. One activity you can do is find a new form of life in your back yard for there are many more we do not even see and then find a science activity online. There are many preschool science activities like the Magic School bus and National Geographic For Kids. Thanks Moorescience
It was a calm day on Sunday may 18Th 1980 when suddenly a landscape of pristine old forrest was destroyed in just a moments time. Mt St Hellens volcano erupted with such force that a bulge of magma building in the volcano on the north side of the mountain triggered a 5.1 magnitude quake and caused the north side of the volcano to erupt.
Do some research of the Mount St Hellens volcano and if you ever plan on bringing the eruption to life, going there is a once in a lifetime event. After you have done your research why not back that research up by choosing one of the many volcano science projects that will excite the kid in all of us, why because I sure got excited when we did our project together. Thanks Moorescience