Adventures in Science!!!!

As I mentioned we are in deschool mode for DN and KM is on break this week since it is Thanksgiving, so we spent a lot of time doing Science.

We start off the week by using the downloaded copy of Janice VanCleave's Biology For Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work that I had on my kindle and let me tell you this is the first FULLY successful set of experiments that we have EVER done!!! Every single one was successful, easy to understand, follow and explain! LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!

Scientists at work - 

Growth Rate - this one will take a while, but we are going to measure the difference in rate from sunny to dark spot! 

Freezing Tissue - Which do you think froze first? Leave your guess in the comments section!

 

Hard to Freeze - 

Fluffy Raisins -

Before

After

Stand Up - 

wilted leaves

12 hours later - crisp, firm 

 and blue leaves! 

Sugary Leaves - what do you think the outcome of this one was? Leave your guess in the comments section!

We also took a trip into the Boston Museum of Science and here is a video KM pasted together of some highlights - The best part is at 4:40!!!

Rather Unique Experiences - PART 2

Today we got to be part of another rather interesting and unique experience at the Museum of Science. We were lucky enough to attend their Space Day program where they had two incredible astronauts discussing what it takes to become a NASA employ, as well as the many people in varying positions that are needed to get the astronauts into space! Astronaut Nicholas Patrick did an incredible job explaining all aspects of space flight and had some incredible pics and video from his recent trips to the International Space Station.

We also heard from Retired Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman, who is now a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, about the ZERO robotics program - a close relative of the FIRST Lego League programs.

Hearing from these two gentlemen about the incredible opportunities available, now and in the future, in these programs and with NASA was fantastic.

As always, we had a great time during the rest of our visit...

3 Days Til Halloween...

so went to see the MOS to see the Harry Potter: The Exhibition! We weren't allowed to take pics put you have to check this out if you are in the area or it comes to your area! It was FANTASTIC! We of course then came home and immediately started watching the movies to try to spot all the things we saw in the exhibit!

Astronomy Mural Completed

Though we are still working on our Astronomy unit, KM has finished the mural.


If you click on the photo it will open up in a bigger window and you can see it with more detail.

Here are some more pics from our trip to the MOS last week from the planetarium area -

we checked out the scale model of the planets.

analyzed the stars lights

sent and decoded messages with extraterrestrial life
and discovered her weight on the moon would be 14lbs.
but on Jupiter it would be 148!

Human Body Study - update

I have mentioned several times ~ starting way back when ~ how much KM has been enjoying her Human Body study.

First I have to mention the new subscription that we got to Adaptive Curriculum through Homeschool Buyer's Co-op group buy. OH MY GOSH!!! It is fantastic, I was so impressed with the 10-day trial that we did get the year subscription and it is such an incredible supplement. Science is one of KM's favorite subjects, whereas for me it is one of the most daunting because I feel like I know the least in this area. Therefore it is far and away the one area that I spend the most money on, but I am also so super careful that the things that I get are secular, accurate, engaging, entertaining and WORTH THE COST! This program so is!!! KM has been asking each day to redo the experiments and activities that are on it and since it is interactive she is really understanding the concepts and can work through the situations and experiments on her own. WE LOVE IT! Here is a screen shot of the DNA building model -




You had to build the DNA strand and then it showed you what you animal you would have built based on the given combination that you picked! VERY COOL!

We also did some exploring at the Museum of Science last week. Of course it was their busiest field trip day of the year - just our luck! - but we did manage to get to most of the exhibits that we wanted to -

Explored the different mechanical solutions to bone repair and zapped tumors.

Hmmm...that eye looks familiar, she got it together in a snap and the giant ear was a cinch as well!

She had a very lengthy and informative conversation with a MOS volunteer who explained how infrared lighting works and how the different levels of light can be scene by the eye.

Her FAVORITE exhibit though was a new one on Nano technology

It was amazing to see all the things that they can do with these TINY little particles! I think this will be next weeks research project!

One strand has sprouted...

Here is Mr. Grass Headz - we got him a few months ago at the MOS and totally forgot about him until we got the spring bug bite a few weeks ago and stumbled across him.

KM can't wait until it grows enough to be able to style his hair!!!

Prehistoric Study - Final Exam

We went to the Museum of Science in Boston today to do a "final exam" for our prehistoric and evolution unit!

We observed the Tamarins for quite a while and discovered that the female was predominately left handed while her father was right handed! We also learned they really like the light fixtures at the top of the trees for some reason!

We guessed and made faces to match the chimpanzees!

KM was amazed to discover how genetically similar we are to mice!

She did a fantastic job identifying the skulls and remembering facts from the Ape to Man History Channel feature that we watched on Netflix.
She matched all the skulls up correctly in order as well!



Then we sat and watched the chickens for a while - we have never seen one pop out before cause this exhibit is usually swarming and we don't have the patience, but we just happened to pick the right time and there were 4 little ones trying to get out!


We then headed over to the fish tank - again at JUST the right time to have the whole place to ourselves!!! We both made fish, but neither of them lasted for more than a minute before they were gobbled up by the big meanies!

Finally we ended our "final exam" in the dinosaur exhibit where we examined lots of different fossils and played a few more interesting games. We didn't take any pics in this area cause my batteries died and I forgot to recharge the second set ----oopsie!

All and all it was a really good day!
KM said it was the best "test" she has every taken!
Whoever said tests aren't fun -
just needs to meet more homeschoolers!