Experimenting with Gravity

Our morning started with a discussion about gravity, what it is, how it works, and what would happen if there was no gravity on Earth. We then conducted an experiment to see how items fall. We concluded that items falling from the same height land at the same time, regardless of size or weight. We then explored parachute toys and figured out how they work (and how they didn't work).

During snack, we began to brainstorm how to build our own parachutes. The challenge was to create a parachute that could be dropped from a 7-ft height without cracking the egg attached to it. After trying out the parachutes and troubleshooting as needed, all our young scientists successfully created a parachute that (a) slowed down the descent of the egg, (b) kept the egg inside the cup, and (c) kept the egg completely intact. Our young scientists were provided with the tools and support necessary to apply innovation, engineering, and critical thinking skills to their unique creation.

Kiddie Science is coming to LARK!

Science at LARK begins on November 12th! Sessions are available for the Little Scientists, age 2-3, and for the Young Scientists, age 3-7. You can sign up for one, two, or all sessions.

LARK is located at 1007 Church Avenue and is accessible via public transport.

Science for 2's and 3's "Little Scientists"

Thursdays, 10am-10:45am

November 14th: "Slimology"
November 21st: Dinosaurs
December 5th: Simple Chemistry
December 12th: Wild & Wacky Liquids

Science for 3-7 yr olds "Young Scientists"

Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm

November 12th: Liquid Science
November 26th: All About Me
December 10th: Dinosaur Discoverers 
December 17th: "Slimology"

Space is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. To register, visit our website at http://www.kiddiescience.com/LARKRegister.html

Light & Sound

We had a great morning exploring light and sound at Science Saturdays! We began our exploration with some optical illusions, which the young scientists found to be quite fun. After learning a bit about how white light isn't actually white, we explored refraction via the use of prisms, CDs, and refraction glasses. It was quite fun to create rainbows throughout the classroom.

During our study of sound, we explored various ways to amplify sound via the use of balloons and cups. We created different sounds with straws and then we were able to see vibrations via the use of rubber bands. We learned that by placing our fingers along different places on the rubber bands, we were able to create new sounds.

Nature Science

We had a wonderful time learning about Nature Science this morning! Our young scientists were able to explore solar energy through the use of some solar toys and by creating sun prints. We discussed the water cycle and the fact that all the rain on Earth is recycled time and time again. Its just one of many things that makes our planet unique. We also explored the tornado-in-a-bottle, which the young scientists had a lot of fun with.

We created terrariums to help observe the water cycle in an enclosed system. As the sun heats up the terrarium, the water will start to evaporate and condense along the side of the cup and the bag. Once enough water accumulates, it will become heavy and will ultimately fall back down into the cup. This is a simple example of how clouds work.

Geology Rocks!

Our young geologists explored various rocks and minerals. We sorted the items using different categories and discussed the three main types of rocks that exist on our planet: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Each student chose their favorite rock and drew a picture to take home. Some students chose their favorite rock based on color, texture, size, weight, and/or how shiny it was. 

There were two highlights to our morning: first was drawing with the graphite. We learned about pencils and the mineral that is used to make the writing visible (graphite). We also enjoyed getting hands-on with the cultural items on loan from the Brooklyn Children's Museum. We learned that throughout history, humans have used rocks and minerals for tools, jewelry, or decorations.

It's Electric!

This morning's Science Saturdays session was truly electrifying! We explored circuits by coming up with hypotheses on which items were conductors of electricity and which were not. We learned that in order for electricity to flow through a circuit it needed to be a closed system, meaning it must start and end at the same location. This was demonstrated via the use of an energy stick which functions via the electricity that exists within our own bodies. We learned that if we all held hands this creates a closed circuit, which caused the energy stick to glow and make noise.

We also explored static electricity and performed an experiment where we separated salt and pepper by using a balloon. It was a lot of fun to see your young scientist come up with ways to charge the balloon in order to help it attract the pepper away from the salt.

Food Science

What a deliciously fun time we had this morning! Our young scientists made butter using the "shakin' butter" technique. We simply used heavy cream and shook it for about 20 minutes while we sang "Shake, shake, and butter we shall make!".

After exploring the characteristics of fruits and vegetables, we did a candy chromatography experiment to separate the dyes commonly used in candy. Chromatography is a simple laboratory technique to separate mixtures or, in our case, colors. We learned that even though a candy is one color, multiple artificial dyes are usually used to make that color.

Wild & Wacky Liquids

What a great morning! We learned about buoyancy and what that means in relation to items sinking or floating in water. We conducted an experiment with whole fat milk and were able to observe how soap repels, or pushes away, the fat in the milk. Our best experiment was the liquid sandwich  the directions for which can be found below:

In a clear cup, pour the following items IN THIS EXACT ORDER:

1. Honey

2. Corn syrup

3. Milk

4. Dish soap

5. Water

6. Vegetable oil

7. Rubbing alcohol

 

"Slimology"

Not all slime is created equal. We learned about the properties of slime and how different mixtures can create such different variations of this fun semi-solid. 

Green Thumb Gardeners

We had a wonderful morning with your little botanists! We learned about capillary action and took part in two experiments. We learned about botany, the science of plants, and create a terrarium to take home. One of our experiments was exploring capillary action. We placed a white carnation in colored water and were able to create a visual representation on how plants "suck up" water.

We also learned a song to help us identify the basic parts of a flowering plant:

(sung to the tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes)
Flower, stem, leaves and roots
leaves and roots

Flower, stem, leaves and roots

leaves and roots

Plants need sunlight and water to make them grow

Flower, stem, leaves and roots
leaves and roots.

There's a Zoo in Here!

At least ten different species of animals visited the classroom today! We learned about the unique adaptations of living things while getting hands-on with some furry, and not so furry, friends. 

Simple Chemistry

Our young scientists learned about not just what happens when two items mix, but why. We incorporated the scientific method and engaged students in applying critical thinking skills to various experiments. 

Thank you so much for making this very first month of Science Saturdays such a wonderful experience. Today, we focused on asking "what if" questions and coming up with a hypothesis. Below is a quick and easy science activity that you can try at home (we did a modified version of this in class today). 

Materials:

2 new Ziplock-type sandwich bags  

Measuring spoons  

Measuring cup  

Drinking glass

2 paper towels    

Vinegar   

Clear cups

Baking soda    

Warm water   

Food color

Liquid soap      

Latex (or non-latex) glove

Instructions:

Tear a sheet of paper towel into a square measuring approximately 6” by 6”. Pour the baking soda into the center of the paper towel then fold the towel into an envelope with the power inside it. Pour ½ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of warm water into the sandwich bag. Then, carefully but quickly, add the paper towel envelope to the bag and seal it. Shake the bag a little bit, then place it on the ground and stand back. The bag will inflate and then pop! t.

Next, in one cup, place ½ cup of baking soda. In another cup, place ¼ cup of vinegar. Add food color if desired. Pour the vinegar (the liquid) into the baking soda and observe what happens. Kids can play with this mixture.

As an extension to the above experiment, pour ½ cup of baking soda in a clear cup. In another cup, place ¼ cup of vinegar and a few of drops of liquid soap. Hypothesize what will happen when the vinegar and soap is poured into the baking soda. Conduct the experiment and compare what changed when the liquid soap was added.

Another idea is to pour ½ cup of vinegar into a drinking glass. Add ¼ cup of baking soda to the inside of the glove. Hold the glove by its wrist and shake the powder into the fingers. Carefully attach the glove to the top of the glass so that there is no gap (use tape if needed). Pull the glove upright by its fingers and shake gently, allowing the baking soda to drop into the glass. Stand back and watch as the glove begins to fill up.

Why did that happen?:

When mixed, vinegar and baking soda react to create carbon dioxide, which is a gas. In the first experiment, the carbon filled the bag, causing it to pop. In the last experiment, the carbon gas filled the latex glove much like the air from your lungs would fill it. Vinegar is an acid and the baking soda is a base. When the two are mixed, they create a chemical reaction.

Anatomy Explorers

Through hands-on exploration, our young scientists learned what makes living things unique. We explored the anatomy of a fish and compared it to how our own body works. We also compared the anatomy of an octopus to that of a squid. Each young scientist got their own octopus to explore and dissect.