| Fall
- Natural, Non-solar Energy |
Pre-K
Water, Water Everywhere
Look at the physical properties of water. What floats? What
sinks? When is water not a liquid? What's a meniscus? Explore
surface tension, solutions and erosion. Count how many drops
of water a sponge will absorb and dissolve a capsule to reveal
a surprise.
|
Grades
K-1
Motion Commotion
What energy makes the jumping bug jump and that toy boat zip
across the water? How can particles dance in a static tube?
What keeps a paper towel dry under water? Balance a gravity
fighter and make a cellophane fish curl. You'll be really
attracted to magnetism.
|
Grades
2-3
Action Attraction
You're in the power seat. Control your "springer."
Turn a full cup of water upside down without a spill. Have
you ever used static electricity to separate salt and pepper?
Use water power to spin a turbine. Go with the flow of air
pressure.
|
Grades
4-6
Earth
Power
Take home samples of volcanic rocks and ash after modeling
a volcano and watching it blow. Find your own real microfossils.
Move continents on your tectonocycle. Will you help save the
earth from strip mining? Or an oil spill? Where's your power?
|
| Winter
- Mechanical Energy |
Pre-K
Machinery in Me
How is your body like a machine? How do backbones help you
bend? What do your muscles do? Rib cages resemble bird cages;
jaws are hinges and the heart is a pump. Play games, sing
songs and do projects that emphasize how your body parts work
together.
|
Grades
K-1
Spinners
What does friction have to do with how quickly a marble or
button races through a maze? How is a spinner like a wheel
and axle? How does the size of a wheel change the distance
it covers? Sing a song of friction. Join us for lots of "well-rounded
fun."
|
Grades
2-3
The Toymaker
How can you make a pulley to send messages? Jiggle a bear
up a string if you're so inclined. How far can you send a
cotton ball with your catapult? Construct toys and games using
simple materials to explore wheels, levers, wedges, inclined
planes, pulleys and screws.
|
Grades
4-6
Bright Ideas
Be an inventor! Make your own version of a flashlight, an
electric circuitry game, a simple motor, a steady hand tester
and Jefferson's cipher. Try your hand at copper plating and
a device that looks as if it's defying gravity. Use your talents
in the science of inventing.
|
| Spring
- Solar Energy |
Pre-K
Here Comes the Sun
How do we make shadows and rainbows? Can you make a rainbow
bounce? Can you see a rainbow in bubbles? How can you use
the sun and special paper to make prints? Which colors heat
up most quickly in the sun? What things can we do to help
keep us safe?
|
Grades
K-1
Bubbles to Rainbows
Create your own sun print pictures with light sensitive paper.
How does a sundial work? Put on a food chain puppet show.
Find rainbows in your very own sun bouncer. How can you make
your ultraviolet beads change colors? Check out the heat keepers.
|
Grades
2-3
Hot Stuff
Split light with your own crystal prism and rainbow glasses.
Use shadows to tell time. Dehydrate food and heat water with
the sun's help. Use your thermometer to see which material
heats up most quickly. Will your plant respond phototropically
through a maze?
|
Grades
4-6
Solarific
Fracture sun light through a crystal and spectroscope. Create
solar art with sun print paper and explore the world through
your periscope. Use the sun to see how fast the earth spins.
Prepare for star gazing with a constellation finder and luminosity
tester.
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