Science Week

We started out the school year using Thames and Kosmos kits for our science.   I’ve changed things up a bit, not because the T&K kits aren’t working, but because they required a bit more planning than I can dedicate to science right now.   Since I had used Rainbow Science with great success with my oldest child, I went back to Rainbow Science.   It is a great program that is easy to utilize.    So the T&K kits are still in the garage, and most likely will be enjoyed next year.   This season of life calls for something a little bit different.
 

So we’ve been working our way through the physics section of Rainbow Science.  

Topics covered :

how basic concepts of physics (classic mechanics) apply to all forces

Protons and electrons are the basis for electric charges

Static electricity

electric currents

magnetism

number of protons is the defining characteristic of an element

nuclear force is the force holding protons together in the nucleus

Labs:



We completed quite a few labs this past week starting out with the classic balloon/hair static electric lab.   E-R’s hair provided lots of electrical charge and the balloons stuck to the ceiling for almost an entire day.
  
After learning about electricity, we had fun with our Enviro Battery Kits.

Borrowing electrical charge from everyday items. 

Skills Learned.

This week we learned how to study for and take tests.   After reading this excellent article,  E-R and I-E practiced taking notes, studying for tests, and predicting what information would be on the unit tests as well as taking those unit tests!

Games Played:

We played ElementO while eating my new favorite food—turnips and dip.

E-R and I-E will indulge me with a turnip slice or two, but much prefer the Utz potato chips Uncle Roger and Aunt Jeanine were kind enough to send our way.  Both were super yummy!

I-E started out the game in good spirits, but soon lost enough protons 

to bring this frown around!

E-R had fun with this science kit that was hiding in the garage. 

I have no idea when or where it happened into my stash of science stuff.

But E-R had a great time with this classic make a face activity

and the included magnetic sculpture garden.

Virtual Field Trips

Power Plant Tour

Nuclear Power Plant Tour

We virtually toured several power plants.   Many years ago my dear husband, MrBatTan, worked on a nuclear powered submarine, so he was very helpful in explaining our tour through the Nuclear Power Plant.

Science Week was a great way to get back in the swing of things after our spring break.

Solar Science Week, Day Three

It appears the fog is here to stay

So the solar ovens had to wait.

If it is foggy tomorrow, we plan to drive to the sun!

Edited:  Comparison paragraphs.

I-E's paragraph:

Many people use solar energy today.  There are two kinds of ways to heat houses with solar power, active and passive solar systems.  Active solar system heat houses using solar collectors that are flat black boxes that act like a greenhouse. The sun light gathers into heat then it heats the water. Then the water heats the air which is pushed into the house.  Passive solar systems heat house using non- moving parts such as windows that face south, so they catch the sunlight that heats walls or rocks in bins or pillars of water.  Some differences of active and passive solar systems are that active solar system can be put in every house, but passive solar systems can only be put in when you a are building the house. Some similarities are they both use sun light to heat houses, and they both release heat when it gets cold.  Both active and passive solar systems are efficient  and don’t pollute the earth.

 Designed: Houses with both Passive and Active Solar Heating Systems.

Researched: the cost and value of home solar system. A system for our home (which we couldn't technically install because of our shared roof) would cost $35,000. Currently we would qualify for a federal tax credit of about $9400 and a state refund of $2900, bringing the price of the system down to $22,700. At the level of usage we are currently utilizing, it would take 24 years for us to realize the cost of the system. So although the value of solar energy is high, the cost keeps most people from investing in it.

We also found this company, Sungevity, which leases solar systems so the upfront cost is not a prohibitive. We are waiting to hear back about the cost of leasing.


Creating: Started a Mosaic sundial.

Solar Science Week, Day 1

Solar Science Week, Day 2

Solar Science Week, Day 4

Day Two of Solar Science Week

This morning we woke to this:

Lots of fog.

   Although we are in a coastal area prone to fog, this is usually our sunniest time of the year.

So book work it was-- at least for the morning time until that fog burned off.  

Graphing:   We worked on graphing the average temperature's and distances of the planets in our solar systems.  Not surprising the further away the planets are from the sun the cooler they get.  Except for Venus and the furthest planets Uranus and Neptune, Venus suffers from a bad case of greenhouse effect bringing its average temperature to 482 degrees Celsius.  Temperatures level off around Uranus and Neptune at -193 degrees Celsius because the sun's heat is no longer affecting their temperature.

Hands On:  Next we moved on to learning about how to read an utility bill and figure out the different calculations one finds on  their bill.    Comparing our water bill to an average home of six, we found we love our hot baths and showers.

Experiment!  Using these nifty little beads:

That change from white to colors in the sun

 we tested the validity of waiting for waterproof sunscreen to dry before getting in the water.

First we applied sunscreen and let dry 15 minutes as instructed on the back of the bottle.

Beads with freshly applied sunscreen.

Next our beads took a 30 second swim.

Fifteen and Thirty minutes later we compared our sun-screened  beads to beads without any sunscreen.  

Turns out sunscreen doesn't stay put--waterproof or not. 

Reading:  While we were waiting for our experiment, we finished reading The Kids' Solar Energy Book learning about Active and Passive Solar Systems as well as Solar Cells.

Construction:   Wanting to build something new with their Solar Power Kits, E-R and I-E went to work.

The models they built yesterday didn't move very quickly so they hoped that building one model and using two solar cells with it would speed things up. 

Mission Accomplished.  

Writing:  Compare Active Solar Systems to Passive Solar Systems

Be sure to check out Day One of Solar Science Week as well as Day Three and Day Four

and cross your fingers that tomorrow will bring sunny weather our way.

Free Nature Study Resources

ArtbyJean

Nature Study has become my new passion.  And as always my passions has to start with lots of research.   What's the best way to start?   How should I introduce it to my kids?   Do I need to be an expert?  

Of course, I'm sure anyone could answer my ?s--experts in nature study or not!

Just start by doing something!

Say, Hey let's go outside and look at some nature!

No need for an expert--learn with the kids!

How about resources?   Do I need to spend a hefty sum on my new hobby?   

Turns out that answer was also easy to find.  

No money (other than for ink and paper) needed.   

An awesome resource to get one started is Anna Botsford Comstock's Hand Book of Nature Study.

Written in 1911,  it is available as a free download.  

As a full 900 + page download, I have not printed out all the pages, but rather read some of it online and printed out specific sections to take outside with us during Nature Study time.  

And at 900+ pages, this book is overwhelming!

So to the rescue  is

http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/

by Barb-Harmony Art Mom.   

Guiding step-by-step, page-by-page through nature study challenges 

this blog 

provides specific pages numbers, additional printables, and numerous examples of actual studies by lots of different families

making nature study possible for anyone,

All for Free!  

In the spirit of free 

I went searching in my favorite library,

Google Books. 

and discovered Nature Study books galore!

Want something a wee bit less intimidating than Anna Botsford Comstock's book?

How about

Nature Study by Months?

Written directly to the teacher, it takes one through four full years of nature study that builds year upon year on the knowledge studied the year before.  Leaves, insects, minerals, weather are just a few of the topics covered.   Poems are suggested.  And (my favorite part) numerous line drawings are incorporated throughout the text.   These line drawings would be easy to follow and teach ones self how to sketch or even could be traced.   

This book is labeled as Part 1.  I haven't found Part 2 yet.  Let me know if you happen upon it!

Nature Study by Grades 

follows the same idea as Nature Study by the Month, but has a specific course of study set-up  for grades 4 and 5.   Again this book is marked as a first in a series.   And again I haven't found the remaining parts of the series.   Do let me know if you find more of these awesome books.

  Outdoor Studies 

is a bit different as it is written to for the student and not as a teaching guide.

James George Needham writes, "I have written of things I would have the pupils see and do and think about, and I trust no teacher will undertake to do all the seeing and doing and thinking for them."   

Well Mr. Needham--if I must, I will let the pupils do their own seeing and doing and thinking!   I suppose I will just need to become a pupil myself!

I really like this book because it is written to the older student.   I have noticed that many nature study readers tend to be geared towards younger students.   So this is a great find. 

Animals at Home

is a wonderful book all about animals written for the mid-grammar aged child.   Each chapter focuses on a different animal, their habitat, and habits.    This book has charming illustrations and innumerable facts that any young animal lover will enjoy.  

Plants and Their Children is another charmer.   Frances Theodore Parsons claims to write directly to children in order to secure three things, "practice in the art of reading, amusement, and instruction."   She does all three things beautifully in this book.  Composed to follow the seasons, Ms. Parsons' wit shines throughout this book providing an enjoyable read for young and old alike.

Our Birds and Their Nestlings 

Is written directly to younger students and includes much to capture their attention and foster a love of the birds that are around us every day.   Filled with stories, legends from different cultures, illustrations, poetry, and countless facts about birds, it delighted the socks off this adult.   I can't wait to share it with my almost teenagers as I'm sure they will enjoy it as much as any fresh reader is sure too.  

Enjoy these finds and your time outside learning about nature

And

Be sure to let me know of other free Nature Study resources you utilize!