Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
Tasty!
In the last post I mentioned that we were collecting sap from our maple trees. Well, that proved quite successful last week, and we ended up with many gallons of sap by Saturday. Since we had no more room ANYWHERE to store all that sap, we decided to boil it down into syrup. Little did we know how LOOOOOONG that would take! Because of our inexperience, we didn't start the process until the afternoon, and Chris was still manning the sap boiling late into the night.
When it was all said and done, we didn't have a lot to show for it, but what we did have was very, very tasty!!
Looking forward to the weather warming up again, so we can do it all over again!!
Something New
We get a little bored around here this time of year, so this year we are trying something new...
We have a couple large maple trees in the yard, and after talking to a friend at church on Sunday, we decided to tap our trees and make maple syrup!
So far, so good. The sap seems to be flowing, and we have over a gallon of it collected after just one day. Not sure how much syrup we'll get when it's all said and done, but it's a fun, new experience!
So far, so good. The sap seems to be flowing, and we have over a gallon of it collected after just one day. Not sure how much syrup we'll get when it's all said and done, but it's a fun, new experience!
More Science Geekiness
I know I have mentioned them once before in my blog, but it's been over a year since I've said anything about Zooniverse. Seriously, folks, if you lean at all towards science geekiness, you really should go check out their website.
What is Zooniverse? Glad you asked. It's a website that enlists normal people (I use that term loosely, btw) to assist in science research. Here's how they describe their purpose -
They have projects relating to space, climate, biology, nature, and humanities. My personal favorite is Snapshot Serengeti, where you view photos taken by motion-activated cameras on the Serengeti. You then identify what animals you see and what they are doing. I've seen such cool things out there, like lions eating dead zebras and things like that. How cool is that? I actually find it strangely addicting!
Anyway, if your looking for a way to kill a little time and see some really cool stuff....and assist in science research, you should head over to zooniverse.org right now!
What is Zooniverse? Glad you asked. It's a website that enlists normal people (I use that term loosely, btw) to assist in science research. Here's how they describe their purpose -
The Zooniverse is home to the internet's largest, most popular and most successful citizen science projects. Our current projects are here but plenty more are on the way. If you're new to the Zooniverse, we suggest picking a project and diving in - the same account will get you into all of our projects, and you can keep track of what you've contributed by watching 'My Zooniverse'.
They have projects relating to space, climate, biology, nature, and humanities. My personal favorite is Snapshot Serengeti, where you view photos taken by motion-activated cameras on the Serengeti. You then identify what animals you see and what they are doing. I've seen such cool things out there, like lions eating dead zebras and things like that. How cool is that? I actually find it strangely addicting!
Anyway, if your looking for a way to kill a little time and see some really cool stuff....and assist in science research, you should head over to zooniverse.org right now!
More Work To Do
Because, apparently, I think I have a lot of extra free time, I am now going to be teaching science at TWO co-ops this fall instead of just one.
I have been teaching 3rd-12th grade science at Minnehaha Christian Homeschool Co-op (MCHC) for the past two years and will continue to do so next year. Prior to that I taught 1st/2nd grade science at MCHC for a number of years, but took some time off when Marcus and Zoe arrived. I have found that I REALLY enjoy teaching, so I am excited to add more teaching into my week.
Starting in September I will be teaching high school science (biology) at the Rukavina Home School Academy. While my other co-op only meets twice a month, the new one meets weekly, so I will be a busy little beaver. I still have room in my class at the Rukavina co-op if you have high schoolers that are ready for biology - and me.
I have been teaching 3rd-12th grade science at Minnehaha Christian Homeschool Co-op (MCHC) for the past two years and will continue to do so next year. Prior to that I taught 1st/2nd grade science at MCHC for a number of years, but took some time off when Marcus and Zoe arrived. I have found that I REALLY enjoy teaching, so I am excited to add more teaching into my week.
Starting in September I will be teaching high school science (biology) at the Rukavina Home School Academy. While my other co-op only meets twice a month, the new one meets weekly, so I will be a busy little beaver. I still have room in my class at the Rukavina co-op if you have high schoolers that are ready for biology - and me.
At Long Last
Having to reschedule due to poor weather last Saturday, my Jr./Sr. High co-op students finally got to have their second annual end-of-co-op bonfire. As last year, fun was had by all.
Despite all the wood being wet from the never-ending rain, we were able to get the fire going well enough to cook hotdogs over it.
After eating, the kids opted for hanging out at the playground.
They especially liked the spinning things!
They found this cute little caterpillar. I refrained from turning it into a science lesson - it was difficult though! (Yes, that is my extremely dry skin that the little guy is crawling on)
The night is barely over, and they are already planning a mid-summer event!
This Stuff Fascinates Me
It is well-known that moving to the United States can be detrimental to one’s health in general — an effect mainly attributed to a Western diet. But in the narrower realm of allergy and asthma, the risk has been less clear, he says. - Doug Brugge, Science News 5/18/2013
It's a great time to be alive and studying the human body! Looking for an interesting read? Here's an article for you.
Peacock Spiders
Because you never know WHAT you're going to find out on my blog, today I present to you a very amusing look at peacock spiders.
Now wasn't that amusing!
Now wasn't that amusing!
Happy Spring!!
I wanted to be the first person to wish you all a happy spring!
I learned something new (maybe you knew this already), that spring arrives at a specific time, not just a specific day! Who knew? Also, the arrival of spring can vary anywhere from March 19 to March 21 (earliest in a leap year).
Now, for those of us living in Minnesota, this is all quite irrelevant, as we all know that spring weather won't arrive here for another three or four weeks....if we're lucky. In the meantime, here are some lovely flowers to look at. They sure beat the several feet of snow that are outside my window!
I learned something new (maybe you knew this already), that spring arrives at a specific time, not just a specific day! Who knew? Also, the arrival of spring can vary anywhere from March 19 to March 21 (earliest in a leap year).
Now, for those of us living in Minnesota, this is all quite irrelevant, as we all know that spring weather won't arrive here for another three or four weeks....if we're lucky. In the meantime, here are some lovely flowers to look at. They sure beat the several feet of snow that are outside my window!
Thursday Thrills
Thursdays mean teaching co-op science. Teaching co-op science means spending the day getting people excited about science...which subsequently spills over into home-life.
This results in.....Fun With Tuning Forks!
Evan & Erin experimenting with hearing sound through your skull
And hearing sounds through your mouth
And seeing how many places you can stick a tuning fork and still hear the note. Just look at how much fun they're having!
But that's not all...oh no! As you are aware, it's Brain Awareness Week! In honor of this momentous week, I made brain cupcakes for the co-op kids! Mmm, mmm, mmmmmm! You wish I was YOUR science teacher, don't you?!
Don't Forget!
I thought I better give you a heads up that Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is just around the corner! I informed you of this important holiday many months ago, but I know many of you didn't put it on your calendars.
BAW runs from March 11-17. If you can't think of some fun and amazing way to celebrate BAW, at least spend a minute or two being thankful for your amazing brain.
BAW runs from March 11-17. If you can't think of some fun and amazing way to celebrate BAW, at least spend a minute or two being thankful for your amazing brain.
A New Game
Raelea: "Mom, I've invented a new game!"
Mom: "Really?!"
Raelea: "Yes! It's called science teacher, so can I borrow your science worksheets?"
Mom: "Really?!"
Raelea: "Yes! It's called science teacher, so can I borrow your science worksheets?"
All Before Lunch
Time to prep for co-op tomorrow!
Presenting...my cow heart. Let's call her Bessie, shall we?
After identifying Bessie's various openings, it was time to make some preliminary incisions. Each class tomorrow is only 45 minutes long which does not leave us a lot of time for dissecting, so I thought I would start a little of it today. (Mostly because I couldn't wait to get my hands on, and in, this little specimen. Notice the gleeful smile on my face!)
My children's reactions were varied. Molly fled the room and refused to take any pictures for me. Aidan took the pictures and wanted to see it but not touch it (those are my hands holding Bessie).
Emily, well....Emily was disgusted by the whole thing!
Start Planning Now!
Once again, I am fulfilling my duty of keeping you informed of all the important holidays and events of which you might otherwise be unaware. Today, I introduce to you Brain Awareness Week (BAW)! While some things only need a day of appreciation (like Christopher Columbus), apparently it will take a whole week for us to unite "families, schools, and communities in a worldwide celebration of the brain." Yay Brain!!
If you are really ambitious and excited about BAW, you can make an educational video about the brain and enter a video contest in attempt to win cash, prizes and a trip to San Diego for Neuroscience 2013. Science AND California - hard to go wrong there!
Okay, if you go out to the Society for Neuroscience website there is a plethora of fun things out there! Ever heard of a Brain Bee? Me neither! But apparently it's sort of like a spelling bee....only different! Oh! And let's not forget the National Science Olympiad! Oh my!
If you haven't already guessed, our topic for co-op science this week will be......the brain! This is going to be FUN!
If you are really ambitious and excited about BAW, you can make an educational video about the brain and enter a video contest in attempt to win cash, prizes and a trip to San Diego for Neuroscience 2013. Science AND California - hard to go wrong there!
Okay, if you go out to the Society for Neuroscience website there is a plethora of fun things out there! Ever heard of a Brain Bee? Me neither! But apparently it's sort of like a spelling bee....only different! Oh! And let's not forget the National Science Olympiad! Oh my!
If you haven't already guessed, our topic for co-op science this week will be......the brain! This is going to be FUN!
Science Tastes Good
Why, yes, that is an edible model of DNA!
It was our first co-op for the year, and once again I am teaching science for the 3rd through 12th graders. No astronomy this year, though. It's all about the human body for the next nine months. It should be a fun, exciting, and TASTY year!
Science Geek Alert
I just received the following e-mail and I was so excited about it, I had to share it with you all!
If you're not familiar with the Milky Way Project you should go check it out. It's a great science geek opportunity to be a part of mapping the known galaxy, AND you get to see photos from space that very few, if any, have ever seen. How cool is that?
Here's all the information you'll need....
If you're not familiar with the Milky Way Project you should go check it out. It's a great science geek opportunity to be a part of mapping the known galaxy, AND you get to see photos from space that very few, if any, have ever seen. How cool is that?
Here's all the information you'll need....
Hello,
This autumn we have some fun new things coming up for the Milky Way Project. There's going to be a whole new way that you can help map the galaxy! But more on all that nearer the time.
We still have data that needs your eyes over on http://www.milkywayproject.org - we want to go through as much of that as possible before we try and publish our next big catalogue of bubbles. We're looking for more measurements of all the beautiful infrared bubbles that you see, as well as any star clusters, galaxies or yellow balls that you spot along the way.
We're also looking for beta testers for two of our new citizen science projects. If you're interested in helping us test our new medical project, or our new weather-based project then please get in touch on team@zooniverse.org with the subject line MEDICAL BETA or WEATHER BETA.
Meanwhile visit http://www.milkywayproject.org and help us to measure and map the Milky Way!
Thanks,
Rob and the Milky Way Project Team
I Thought She'd Never Ask
What every science-geek mom wants to hear from her seven year old -
Raelea: "Mom, will teach me chemistry sometime?"
I love that girl! Yesterday she learned all there is to know about prisms, and now her brain has apparently moved on to chemistry.
Raelea: "Mom, will teach me chemistry sometime?"
I love that girl! Yesterday she learned all there is to know about prisms, and now her brain has apparently moved on to chemistry.
I Almost Forgot!
How did that happen? I almost forgot that NASA is landing a rover on Mars TONIGHT! NASA is landing the Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars at 1:31 AM EDT in what they describe as "Seven minutes of terror."
They are trying a totally new approach to landing the rover which involves a giant parachute and going from 13,000 mph to a stop in seven minutes. This will be interesting!
The rover is tweeting as MarsCuriosity, so you can follow the excitement on Twitter.
They are trying a totally new approach to landing the rover which involves a giant parachute and going from 13,000 mph to a stop in seven minutes. This will be interesting!
The rover is tweeting as MarsCuriosity, so you can follow the excitement on Twitter.
Awe Inspiring
I really think you should take the next eight minutes of your life to watch this!
Why?
Well, it's really, really cool, but that's not the main reason. The main reason is that eight minutes is a really short amount of time to ponder how amazing God is.
Why?
Well, it's really, really cool, but that's not the main reason. The main reason is that eight minutes is a really short amount of time to ponder how amazing God is.
He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is the Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. Psalm 147:4-5He knows their names! Each of them! Now that is amazing!
Happy Birthday, Nikola!!
I know I reminded you several weeks ago, that July 10th was Nikola Tesla Day. Yet now that it is July 10, I had completely forgotten the event myself! Thanks to Josh for reminding me of this noteworthy event.
So, let's see....today, I used a blow dryer, a radio, lights...I drove the car around a lot...I'm always using the wi-fi...All fitting ways to celebrate this genius of a man.
How have you celebrated Tesla Day????
So, let's see....today, I used a blow dryer, a radio, lights...I drove the car around a lot...I'm always using the wi-fi...All fitting ways to celebrate this genius of a man.
How have you celebrated Tesla Day????
Happy birthday, Mr. Tesla.
Thanks for being super smart!
You know, I don't think he had anything to do with ice cream, but I'm thinking that I will go out for some ice cream to celebrate anyway!
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