How would you like to explain the Theory of Relativity? In seven minutes? On video? That’s the task Ryan Chester took up when entering the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. Not only did Ryan succeed in creating his video, but he won the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, earning a hefty college scholarship and a prize for his high … Continue reading
Which is denser, concentrated detergent or regular strength? Which fish swim more quickly, those with plants in their tank or a mechanical aerator? Which cleaner kills more bacteria on cafeteria tables? What would happen if we poured milk instead of water on bean plants? These are just a few of the questions from my elementary … Continue reading
Curating a museum of imaginary things could be an interesting challenge. What, of all that the human imagination can call forth, would be included? For Deirdre Loughridge and Thomas Patteson, the answer was a museum of imaginary instruments. The co-curators’ collection is not all light-hearted fantasy. The Museum of Imaginary Musical Instruments is a serious examination … Continue reading
Teaching students to “think like a scientist” is a tricky thing. Many of us have experienced science classes that required memorizing seemingly irrelevant from ancient textbooks. On the other hand, other activities include spectacular demonstrations or hands-on activities, but do not lead students to scientific understanding, operating more than a magic show than a lesson. … Continue reading
I had a lot of fun this summer, but one of the most delightful mornings was spent with five young friends and a 25-foot long solar balloon. Take a look. We had a grand time watching the balloon expand and contract, rise and fall, with changing temperatures (and, OK, having the occasional giant balloon wrestling … Continue reading
I was going to start my blog vacation today, but I couldn’t resist one more post to share this: Camp Google. How’s this for problem finding? Camp Google is a free online camp, focused on children ages 7-10–and it starts July 13. While activities (obviously) start online, they are designed to get kids up and … Continue reading
I’ve always loved Rube Goldberg machines. So when I discovered a book designed to help make “Chain Reaction” machines out of LEGOs, I jumped at the chance. Together with a 10-year-old friend, we built the first contraption in just a few minutes. It looked almost identical to the photo at the left, and was made … Continue reading
It’s time to eat broccoli! Or apples. Or pineapple. And you (and your students) can help make it happen. Recently, First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated the fifth anniversary of her “Let’s Move” campaign by announcing a full-fledged ad campaign designed to market (you guessed it) fruits and vegetables, newly branded as FNV. This is going … Continue reading
Where do creative kids get their dreams? Some of them look at the skies. And maybe some of them learn about others’ dreams and go looking for their own. One of the gifts we can give young people is the lesson that they can look for the thing that inspires them. And one way to … Continue reading
It is a strange phenomenon when your early days become the stuff of antique stores and history books. I’m occasionally startled in antique stores to see toys from my childhood. And when I talk to young friends about their studies of the Viet Nam War or the Civil Rights movement, it is clear that those … Continue reading
