I love science. I love watching a reaction unfold. I love the feel of holding an Erlenmeyer flask in my hand. I love using pipettes - especially the ones you can dial in to a specific measurement which is so much more fun than a teaspoon measurement. I also secretly enjoy putting on safety glasses. There's just something about them that makes you really feel like a scientist. Now … [Read more...]
Homeschool Science Corner ~ 3 Types of Fossils
This week's homeschool science corner is all about the three main types of fossils. Scientists categorize fossils into three main groups - impression fossils, trace fossils, and replacement fossils. Amber is also often looked at as a fourth type of fossil. Although a chunk of amber can contain insects that were trapped in resin long ago, technically it is still categorized as a … [Read more...]
Homeschool Science Corner ~ Glacier Study
It is the middle of summer and you are no doubt dying for a respite from the heat. To help you out today I am sharing a cool topic - a glacier study. These amazing frozen rivers are rare to find in your backyard, but that doesn't mean you should share them with your students. In this week's homeschool science corner you will find an explanation, and a tasty activity for you to use with your … [Read more...]
How to Skip an Experiment
So, you are staring at this week's experiment and you realize that you don't have the materials you need. Your week is jam-packed. You can't make it to the store. You have no substitute materials. You can't swap out the experiment because you don't have the materials for the only other one that will work. So what do you do? Do you toss the book aside and resign to the fact that you … [Read more...]
Homeschool Science Corner ~ Habitat or Biome
Is it a habit or biome? And for that matter, how do you tell the difference? The two appear to be similar concepts and the terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference. In a nutshell, a habitat refers to the local environment, while a biome refers to a larger global ecosystem. In today's homeschool science corner, we are going to look at the difference between a … [Read more...]
How to make your own experiment kits
There is nothing worse than opening up your guide to find out that today is experiment day and you don't have the materials you need. As I shared in 5 tips for experiment success, I keep a well-stocked science supplies cabinet to prevent these problems. But what if you don't want to keep an entire cabinet full of science stuff? What if you want just the supplies you need for that year on … [Read more...]