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Science Quote of the Week: "The subject matter of the 'liquid state of matter' is the liquid state of matter, and we had better sometimes have some of it in the classroom. Along with aprons and mops as needed!" -David Hawkins, The Informed VisionSPECIAL EVENTS SCIENCE TV!! (New Class, Wednesdays at 12:35) Join Mr. Steve as we create the first-ever SCIENCE-TV show from the LINX Science Center. Each week we will plan out, setup, and film a small Science Segment to put together into a show that will be broadcast on the LINX Website, possible on the Wellesley Cable TV channel, and in the future, who knows?!?! We will draw on all the cumulative resources of the Science Center and Mr. Steve?s vast experience in developing and presenting entertaining and educational science experiences for children as we develop skits, routines, songs, experiments, inventions, and just plain fun to teach and reinforce intriguing science concepts. So grab your microphone, put on your safety goggles, dust off your lab coat, and come on down! SCIENCE SPECIAL EVENT: SNOWY-ICY-SCIENCE! (Friday, February 25, 2011; 6:00-8:00pm) LINX- Winterfest Performances (Saturday, January 22, 2011; from 2:00 on) MassHort's Festival of Trees at Elm Bank (November 20-December 4, 2010) LINX is once again proud to be a participant in the Festival of Trees, sponsored by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at the Elm Bank Reservation (the site of the LINX Summer Day Camps). The LINX tree, created by our talented staff of LINX Leaders,is quite unique, and although I don't want to give away the secret of our success, let me just say one word....SQUASHER! Each of our staff members was given a pie tin to create an ornament to adorn our tree, and the results truly show off the collective talents and skills of our staff. If you go, see if you can discover which ornament I created...If you do and tell me in class, it is worth an extra 10 LINX Bucks for you!Potions Night: Friday November 12, 2010 Potions night was a BIG success! We had a very busy night, with our...
Veteran's Day: Thursday November 11, 2010 Children who attended our Veteran's Day Vacation Day Camp reunion Program were treated to a MAGIC SHOW presented by Mr. Steve and his trusty new assistant, Mr. Rabbit (Whose voice bore a strange resemblance to Mr. Todd...but don't give it away to the children!) This was our second collaboration on a performance, combining our talents to create an all-new show featuring Magic, Juggling, Puppetry, and lots of funny-business. Objects were floating, appearing, disappearing, and flying about before the very eyes of the audience, and we even turned a child into a rabbit at the end of the show!I am not really keeping track, but I do have to say that every child I have talked to has stated that the Rabbit was VERY funny, and even funnier than me! We are hoping to make this a tradition, so if you saw the show and have any comments of feedback, be sure to let Myself or Mr. Todd know. CLASS UPDATES Thursday, February 10, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35 and 2:35) -We are concluding our explorations of all-things-cold by creating our own Ice Cream today! The recipe we are working from is: Inside of Plastic Zip-Loc bag: 1/2 c. milk, 1/2 c. cream, 3 spoons chocolate syrup, 1 spoon sugar, and 1/4 tsp. vanilla Inside of Coffee Can: Ziploc bag from above, 2 c. ice cubes, 1 c. rock salt Directions: Shake or roll can for 20 minutes. Open, wash off bag, and enjoy! NEXT WEEK: We will move on to an exploration of all-things-Dinosaur! Potions (3:35) - NEXT WEEK: Potions (4:35) - NEXT WEEK:
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 Science TV (12:35) -Our class has officially switched over, and we are making big plans. We have designed and started to build the Gadgetorium, and there are many more ideas to come! Stay tuned! NEXT WEEK: Building the Gadgetorium, and mapping out our show. Lego Mania! (1:35) -We did some straight building this week, trying to make Lego-City bigger and stronger. it is a roughly 14" cube of Lego Structures right now, ans still growing! NEXT WEEK: Planning...a Lego Movie or Lego Comic Book? Potions (2:35) -We have begun to experiment with Density this week, as we began to see just what it means to have liquids that are more-dense than others! Some of our results have been surprising, but we have started to place certain liquids in order as we have layered them on top of each other. I'll send the completed results along soon, as other classes are still working on them. We did set up two experiments to look at for next week. Rubbing alcohol, which has a lower density than oil, is mostly made up of water, which has a higher density than oil When you layer them you get water on the bottom, oil in the center, and rubbing alcohol on top. As they sit, however, the alcohol evaporates faster than the water in that top layer. What will happen when the alcohol is all evaporated? We have set up the experiment...we will find out. Our second experiment is slightly different...what happens when you soak an egg in Vinegar? We'll find out next week! NEXT WEEK: Experiment results. Green Energy (3:35) -Our classroom turtles like their food, but we have been wondering if they would rather eat something else. So we set up a buffet for them today with Tuna, Ham, Lettuce, Onion, Celery, Carrot, Raisin, Broccoli, and More. What did they eat? Absolutely nothing. It may have been a bit too stressful for them to be out of their tank and in a small box full of bits of food, but they didn't nibble on anything. So I guess we'll stick to turtle food for now! NEXT WEEK:The Solar Powered Car and House Projects! Tuesday, February 8, 2011 Mega Machines!(3:35 and 4:35) -We worked this week to create a pulley-operated Door-Closing System, and we were successful. This system only uses 4 single pulleys and 1 double pulley, as it has a shorter distance to travel. But now we can open and shut the door from across the room! NEXT WEEK: Can we integrate our two systems into one? Creating an elaborate-back-and-forth-clothesline effect! Monday, February 7, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35) -We are concluding our explorations of all-things-cold by creating our own Ice Cream today! The recipe we are working from is: Inside of Plastic Zip-Loc bag: 1/2 c. milk, 1/2 c. cream, 3 spoons chocolate syrup, 1 spoon sugar, and 1/4 tsp. vanilla Inside of Coffee Can: Ziploc bag from above, 2 c. ice cubes, 1 c. rock salt Directions: Shake or roll can for 20 minutes. Open, wash off bag, and enjoy! NEXT WEEK: We will move on to an exploration of all-things-Dinosaur! Design Technology (2:45) - NEXT WEEK: Inventor's Workshop (3:35) - NEXT WEEK: Robotics Workshop (4:35) - NEXT WEEK: Thursday, February 3, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35 and 2:35) -In anticipation of our Ice Cream Experiment, we experimented with Rock-Salt and Ice this week, to see how long the ice would take to melt and if there is a difference between Rock Salt and Regular Salt. NEXT WEEK: ice Cream! Potions (3:35 and 4:35) -We have begun to experiment with Density this week, as we began to see just what it means to have liquids that are more-dense than others! Some of our results have been surprising, but we have started to place certain liquids in order as we have layered them on top of each other. I'll send the completed results along soon, as other classes are still working on them. We did set up two experiments to look at for next week. Rubbing alcohol, which has a lower density than oil, is mostly made up of water, which has a higher density than oil When you layer them you get water on the bottom, oil in the center, and rubbing alcohol on top. As they sit, however, the alcohol evaporates faster than the water in that top layer. What will happen when the alcohol is all evaporated? We have set up the experiment...we will find out. Our second experiment is slightly different...what happens when you soak an egg in Vinegar? We'll find out next week! NEXT WEEK: Experiment results.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011 SNOW DAY!Tuesday, February 1, 2011 Mega Machines!(3:35 and 4:35) -Pulleys have been sprouting up all over the Science Center, and now we have a complete-Automatic Door Opener that uses pulleys (six singles and one-double) to open the door from across the room. the next question...how do we close it? NEXT WEEK: We will figure out how to CLOSE the door. Monday, January 31, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35) -In anticipation of our Ice Cream Experiment, we experimented with Rock-Salt and Ice this week, to see how long the ice would take to melt and if there is a difference between Rock Salt and Regular Salt. NEXT WEEK: ice Cream! Design Technology (2:45) - NEXT WEEK: Inventor's Workshop (3:35) - NEXT WEEK: Robotics Workshop (4:35) - NEXT WEEK: Thursday, January 27, 2011 SNIOW DAY!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011 The Magician's Apprentice (12:35) - NEXT WEEK: Lego Mania! (1:35) - NEXT WEEK: Potions (2:35) -More experiments NEXT WEEK: Green Energy (3:35) - NEXT WEEK: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 Mega Machines!(3:35) - NEXT WEEK: Mega Machines!(4:35) - NEXT WEEK: Monday, January 24, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35) -What do you get when you add a large bucket of snow to a class of young scientists? A need for mops and buckets, of course! We weighed it, measured it, melted it, re-froze it, examined it with Magnifying Glasses and the Video Microscope, watched it melt under 100X magnification, and even built a small igloo and snowman out of it! These last two are in the freezer until spring...we'll see what they look like then! No snow-ball fights, but still a big mess at the end with a need for buckets, mops, etc. This brings to mind my Science Quote of the Week (see above!). NEXT WEEK: Preparing for ice Cream! Design Technology (2:45) -Well, Winterfest is Over, and the shows were a big success. Everyone loved the Ring of Fire with smoke spilling over the front in Anastasia, and the Tree with the Vines that came out and trapped the doubt in Mr. Todd's production of Anne and Alice We are now looking ahead to the Spring Performances, which will include the Laudable Lizard of Oz (Platinum Players), Professor Treesongs Earthshaking Discoveries (Center Stage), The Phantom Tollbooth (Acting Troop, Camp Rock (Interactors), and Alice and Wonderland (Production Troop). We have already had discussions and drawn up preliminary plans for some of our bigger design-technology challenges, including a Crystal Ball filled with smoke, a 10 foot Giant Spider, and a House that literally falls from the sky! We worked this week to discuss some of those challenges, how we could make them work, and what materials and supplies we would need. NEXT WEEK: More planning! Inventor's Workshop (3:35) -We had a small discussion on what it means to be a Fame and Fortune Inventor this week NEXT WEEK: Robotics Workshop (4:35) - NEXT WEEK: Thursday, January 20, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35 and 2:35) -What do you get when you add a large bucket of snow to a class of young scientists? A need for mops and buckets, of course! We weighed it, measured it, melted it, re-froze it, examined it with Magnifying Glasses and the Video Microscope, watched it melt under 100X magnification, and even bullt a small igloo and snowman out of it! These last two are in the freezer until spring...we'll see what they look like then! No snow-ball fights, but still a big mess at the end with a need for buckets, mops, etc. This brings to mind my Science Quote of the Week (see above!). NEXT WEEK: Preparing for ice Cream! Potions (3:35) -Our Disappearing Pepper experiment has led to investigations into soap and water, as we have been experimenting into how to move a boat across the surface of water using Soap as a propellant. NEXT WEEK: Potions (4:35) - NEXT WEEK:
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 The Magician's Apprentice (12:35) - NEXT WEEK: Lego Mania! (1:35) - NEXT WEEK: Potions (2:35) -We kept on with our Kitchen Science Potions this week...using Salt and Pepper. I don't want to give away any secrets here, but our two experiments were the Mysterious Disappearing Pepper, and the Penny-Washing-Machine! NEXT WEEK: More Kitchen Science Potions, Green Energy (3:35) - NEXT WEEK: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 SNOW DAy!Monday, January 17, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35) -This cold weather has brought snow...and Mr. Steve's SNOW Collection! He spent all year collecting show...did he get it right? Ask your children what was in it and you will see! In addition we looked at Mr. Steve's Snowman he built last winter (to save in his bedroom closet) and finally looked at some REAL snow, and even made a small snowman and igloo to experiment with next week. In addition, we filled up one small cup to the top with snows to see how much water is left when the snow all melts. We'll discover the answer next week! NEXT WEEK: More Explorations with Snow! Design Technology (2:45) -We finalized our pieces for the LINX Winterfest Program, including the Ring of Smoke and Fire, and the Tree with the Clinging-Vines that grow out of it. NEXT WEEK: We will begin discussion for the Spring Shows at Linx! Inventor's Workshop (3:35) - NEXT WEEK: Robotics Workshop (4:35) -We have begun to work on creating segmented arms that can be controlled with motors, and fingers for picking up small delicate objects. We would also like to have the option for picking up larger more unwieldy objects, but those can not be managed with straw-fingers. NEXT WEEK: What other accessories will our robot need? Thursday, January 13, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35 and 2:35) -This cold weather has brought snow...and Mr. Steve's SNOW Collection! He spent all year collecting show...did he get it right? Ask your children what was in it and you will see! In addition we looked at Mr. Steve's Snowman he built last winter (to save in his bedroom closet) and finally looked at some REAL snow, and even made a small snowman and igloo to experiment with next week. In addition, we filled up one small cup to the top with snows to see how much water is left when the snow all melts. We'll discover the answer next week! NEXT WEEK: Experimenting with something a little colder than snow...Dyy Ice! Potions (3:35 and 4:35) -We kept on with our Kitchen Science Potions this week...using Salt and Pepper. I don't want to give away any secrets here, but our two experiments were the Mysterious Disappearing Pepper, and the Penny-Washing-Machine! NEXT WEEK: More Kitchen Science Potions, Wednesday, January 12, 2011 SNOW DAY!Tuesday, January 11, 2011 Mega Machines!(3:35 and 4:35) -Both classes this week worked on planning out the Mega-Machine Elevator, which will carry marbles up to the top. We also experimented with Pulleys for the first time, brainstorming on the many different ways they can be used and applications we can use them for. NEXT WEEK: Starting to build a Pulley Machine! Monday, January 10, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35) -Now that we are in the heart of winter, our Science Fun Zone Class has moved into all things cold, starting with the coldest of all....Dry ice. We will be warming it up with air and warm water, to see what happens if we add food coloring, soap, soda, and more. NEXT WEEK: Steve's Snow Collection, and the snowman he made LAST year! Design Technology (2:45) -We will be working on our Fire Pit today, experimenting with Dry Ice to see the best combination of containers and water to create the look of a ring of firs! (or smoke). NEXT WEEK: Finishing up the Vine Grabber for the Theater Show, and final setup of the Ring of Fire. Inventor's Workshop (3:35) -As we have a collection of Dry Ice int he Science Center Today, we will be experimenting and inventing with that to see what inventive ideas our young inventors can come up with for experiments and inventions. NEXT WEEK: A Dry-Ice Smoke Launcher? Can it be made? We will find out! Plus, more work on Individual Inventions. Robotics Workshop (4:35) -Our Computer Robot needs a body, arms that can move, legs or wheels that can help IT to move, a way to "see" or in someway interact with its environment, and a brain to keep it all together. We sketched out our blueprints this week of all these parts, and how to assemble them all into a cohesive unit. NEXT WEEK: Putting the Arms together, hopefully with fingers, that can be controlled by servo-motors from the Lego Robotics kit. Thursday, January 7, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35 and 2:35) -We are starting the new year off with explorations in Snow and Ice, as we examine and experiment with Mr. Steve's Snow Collection! NEXT WEEK: Mr. Steve's Snow Collection, the Snowy Day, and the all-year long snow man! Potions (3:35 and 4:35) -This month we will be working on Kitchen Science Potions, and we started this week with Vinegar and Baking Soda Potions. We blew up a balloon, made popcorn swim, and even createda volcano that erupted all over Mr. Steve! (this was the favorite, of course). NEXT WEEK: Kitchen Science Potions: Salt and Pepper. Wednesday, January 6, 2011 The Magician's Apprentice (12:35) -We worked on Card Tricks this week, as our Magicians Apprentice Class discovered how to read the mind of an audience member who chooses a card at random from the deck. NEXT WEEK: More card tricks, including the Card that Talks! Lego Mania! (1:35) -Our Lego-Maniacs have been building lego-marble-mazes, and they are just about done. We have bases to mount them on and are a lot of fun to play with! NEXT WEEK: Lego mazes, and Movie-Making Plans. Potions (2:35) -This month we will be working on Kitchen Science Potions, and we started this week with Vinegar and Baking Soda Potions. We blew up a balloon, made popcorn swim, and even created a volcano that erupted all over Mr. Steve! (this was the favorite, of course). NEXT WEEK: Kitchen Science Potions: Salt and Pepper. Green Energy (3:35) -After checking on our S.C.E. (Self-Contained-Environment), and preparing the water for a new batch of Sea Monkeys, we began the construction of a prototype Wind-Vane that we are hoping to build and use as a source of Energy here at Linx. NEXT WEEK: Finishing up our Wind-Vane Prototype,and planning for a larger one! Tuesday, January 5, 2011 Mega Machines!(3:35 and 4:35) -Both of our Mega machines classes worked on how to get a marble to the TOP of our Giant Marble track this week, and we have come up with a plan involving a programmable motor that will operate a pulley-elevator. This will move us along to our next machine in the list of simple-Mega-Machines...the Pulley! NEXT WEEK: Pulleys! Monday, January 4, 2011 Science Fun Zone (1:35) -We are starting the new year off with explorations in Snow and Ice, as we examine and experiment with Mr. Steve's Snow Collection! NEXT WEEK: Mr. Steve's Snow Collection, the Snowy Day, and the all-year long snow man! Design Technology (2:45) -With only two seeks to go, our Design Technology Class is coming down to the wire in our theater design and construction. We have been testing out different ways to create a Ring of Fire for the Anastasia show coming up on January 22, using fans and lights to create the illusion of a fire rising up out of the stone ring. This is why we test and experiment with different methods, as this one hasn't provided the effect that we were looking for. We will be experimenting with Dry Ice next week to see if that fog will create the right prop for that scene. We also worked on the Life-Choking Vines that will appear in Anne and Alice. With pulleys, green ropes, and vine-y leaves, we think we have created the effect we want. You will have to some to the shows to see it in action! NEXT WEEK: Dry Ice experiments to create the smoke for our Fire Pit, and finishing up the Vines. Inventor's Workshop (3:35) -Our young inventors were working on their individual projects this week, as they start thinking ahead to our Invention Convention Display to be held this spring. We will keep you posted on the date! NEXT WEEK: We will examine a different type of inventor this week...the Fame and Fortune Seeker. What motivates them, and what types of inventions do they produce? We will try some inventing and planning around this theme today. Robotics Workshop (4:35) -Our Robotics Inventors are continuing with their robot assembled out of Computer Parts, and this week we worked on creating gears for eyes that will turn and revolve on command. NEXT WEEK: We will attach a motor to our mechanical eyes to make them move, and keep working on our arms and the mechanics of how to make them move.
DECEMBER 2010: This holiday season is busier than ever, and the Science Center Newsletter will be taking a short break until the first of the year. Come see us again in 2011!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 Mega Machines!(3:35 and 4:35) -Both classes continued to work with the inclined-planes of our Super Marble Track this week, as we added a curved roller-coaster track for the balls to roll on top of, and a lever that only releases the balls when 7 have landed onto it. NEXT WEEK: Attaching the two large sections together to see how well both sections work. Monday, November 29, 2010 Science Fun Zone (1:35) -Our Giant Machine is moving along, with the first section completed and the second section being worked on. The children in the Science Fun Zone class are having a great time not only testing out the machine, but adding pieces and parts to it as it grows. It is fun to see them reasoning out the size of tubes and ramps needed, the angles they need to set in order to have the ball go fast enough to make it to the next level, but not so fast that it overshoots and flies off the track. NEXT WEEK: More work on our track, and some time monitoring the turtle, fish and new plants that have made it into the Science Center. Design Technology (2:45) -We have begun to put our props together, and this week we tested out the fan and lights that will make up our Fire Pit. We have a large circular donut-shaped gym mat that we will put a plywood cover on. This will provide a strong enough base for dancers to walk on, but will also have a center secion that will hold the fan and flying "flames". We have found it is taking some trial and error to find a fan that is strong enough to blow up the streamer "flames", but not so strong that it will drown out the music of the show. Also, setting up the light so that it illuminates the fire in a way hat the audience can see. We are hoping to have that piece for the show ready before the Winder Break. NEXT WEEK: Inventor's Workshop (3:35) -In the Inventor's Workshop this week, we are showcasing....Fame and Fortune Inventions! There are many different types of inventors, and one type is the Fame and Fortune Inventor, who invents new products and items to make him /herself Rich and Famous. We brainstormed as a class to think of inventions they would like to make, or that they think would fit this model. As usual in this activity, the Homework Machine was at the top of the list! NEXT WEEK: Back to inventing, and a look at some of the prucets currently being worked on in the Science Center. Robotics Workshop (4:35) -We returned to the Vexplorere Robot this week, trying to get the robotic claw/arm working. We were able to attach it so it would go up and down, but were no successful making the claw open and close. This will be an ongoing project this year, s we get it fully operational. NEXT WEEK: A look at some new Micro-Bug robots, that move with remote controls! Wednesday, November 24, 2010 The Magician's Apprentice (12:35) -What would it be like to stand next to a Life-Size Triceratops? Thanks to the Movie-Making Magic of Mr. Todd, our class discovered how and were able to have that feeling this week! NEXT WEEK: More Movie-Making Magic, and some Holiday Magic! Lego Mania! (1:35) -Our Lego Class started to put together the storyboard for a Little-Lego Movie this week, with the heroes working on freeing the prisoners from the castle dungeon. All Lego, of course! NEXT WEEK: We will continue planning out the storyline, in anticipation of our first Lego Movie. Potions (2:35) This weeks class involved a further attempt to melt our Giant Block of Ice, using a potion consisting of Oil, Hot Water, Salt, Vinegar, Food Coloring, and Soap. This potion made more of a dent into the ice cube, but has not totally melted it yet! Once we have found our perfect Melting Ice Potion, we will test it on a brand NEW block of ice, made specifically for the occasion. NEXT WEEK: More experimentation with Freezing and NON-Freezing Potions, as we melt deeper into the giant block of ice. Green Energy (3:35) Weren't able to introduce any critters into our class this week, with the long holiday weekend, but we are hoping to bring a new visitor in next week. NEXT WEEK: We will continue to work on our Solar Powered Projects, follow up on our Plant Experiments, and out fit our Terrarium with new plants and possibly a critter or two. We are hoping to bring a Reptile into the Science Center as a new guest as well.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 Mega Machines!(3:35 and 4:35) We continued our investigations with balls and ramps this week, working on the Mega-Ball Rolling Machine. There are three sections being worked on, and when they are finished we will stack them together to create a 15 foot tall giant Marble Rolling Machine! We will make a video once we test it out (which will only happen when we find a place tall enough to fit it!). NEXT WEEK: We will continue our exploration of Inclined Planes, and the work on our Mega-Ball-Rolling Machine. Monday, November 22, 2010 Science Fun Zone (1:35) We continued this week with our three-dimensional Ball Track, adding more tracks and features. We also experimented with Snap Circuits, making a circuit that would light up a bulb and send a flying saucer spinning into the air! (With proper safety-goggles on, of course!) NEXT WEEK: Hopefully by next week we will have three different sections that we can start to fit together, to make the Largest Marble Rolling Tube in the World! Design Technology (2:45) We focused this week on our Theater Show Props, planning out the Well/Fire Ring Set Piece. Mr. Steve has some shopping to do before next week so we can start building! NEXT WEEK: We will be Cutting and Sanding, and will start assembling the Fire Ring/Well. Inventor's Workshop (3:35) We continued to work on our:
NEXT WEEK: If there are special invention supplies that you might need, feel free to email anytime before Friday and I will see if I can have them on hand! Robotics Workshop (4:35) Our computer project is staring to evolve, and we are thinking of combining all of our ideas into one larger robot. We continued dismantling computers this week, and began planning for making arms that move (old keyboards with hinged connectors), and total mobility (motorized skateboard wheels on the bottom of legs). The center body section will hopefully be an old computer that has swinging open out sections inside (it is from an apple computer). It is amazing, once you start actually taking old computers and electronic devices apart, how many useful and utterly fascinating parts and pieces are used to build them! NEXT WEEK: More dismantling, and taking inventory of all the parts and pieces we have. Also, if we have enough, we will do an initial lay-out and start thinking about how to attach pieces so they can move in the ways we want them to. Thursday, November 18, 2010 Science Fun Zone (1:35 and 2:35) We experimented with rolling balls down inclined planes this week, as we set up tracks all over the Science Center. Our Super Ball track is starting to take shape as well. We have been attaching and mounting tracks and tubes to a ten-inch wide by five-feet tall piece of Sono-Tube. When the section that our class has been working on is finished, it will be assembled with other tubes to create a 20 foot tall Rolling Marble Tower. The only question now is, who will be tall enough to put the marbles in the top??? NEXT WEEK: No classes...enjoy your Thanksgiving! Potions (3:35) How do you create a potion to melt a giant block of ice? That is what our Potions Class was working on this week, as we testing out different recipes to make a Melting Ice Potion. We experimented with Oil, Water, Hot Water, Vinegar, and Salt Water, to see which one would melt a regular-sized ice-cube first. The winners were Salt Water and Hot Water, but at the end of the experiment the salt water was ready to melt more, while the hot water was pretty much out for the count (cold). From here we poured salt directly on to one part of our giant ice-cube (8" X 10" X 12") and salt water onto another part. Both made significant progress towards melting the cube. We drilled holes into the ice-cube to see what would happen when we poured water and food-coloring in the holes and then re-froze the ice, freezing the water within the cracks. We also put food-coloring onto the spots with the salt, and this allowed us to see where the melting was occurring and the rate of run-off. NEXT WEEK: Homework...Can you discover the perfect recipe for a Gravy Potion???? Feel free to email it along before Thanksgiving, so I can test it out! And remember, No class on Thanksgiving! Potions (4:35) How do you create a potion to melt a giant block of ice? That is what our Potions Class was working on this week, as we testing out different recipes to make a Melting Ice Potion. We experimented with Water, Hot Water, Salt Water, Sugar Water, and Soapy Water to see which one would melt a regular-sized ice-cube first. The winners were Salt Water and Hot Water, but at the end of the experiment the salt water was ready to melt more, while the hot water was pretty much out for the count (cold). From here we poured salt directly on to one part of our giant ice-cube (8" X 10" X 12") and salt water onto another part. Both made significant progress towards melting the cube. We also put food-coloring onto the spots with the salt, and this allowed us to see where the melting was occurring and the rate of run-off. NEXT WEEK: Homework...Can you discover the perfect recipe for a Gravy Potion???? Feel free to email it along before Thanksgiving, so I can test it out! And remember, No class on Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010 The Magician's Apprentice (12:35) This week was devoted to the lost art of Wand-Making, as we worked on creating our own magic wands using twisty pieces of Curly Maple Wood with Crystals to mount on the end. Any magician needs his or her own Magic Wand....next week they should be done, and we will see how well they work! NEXT WEEK: Finishing up our Magic Wands...testing them out! Lego Mania! (1:35) This weeks color was Gray, and we built a Gray Lego Structure to add to our collection. We also discussed our Lego City, and how to expand it in preparation for using it in our movie. NEXT WEEK: We will continue our Rainbow Structures, and also on building more sky-scrapers for Lego City. Potions (2:35) This week we turned our attention to the colder weather and what to do aboue the Giant Block of Ice in the Science Center. We first brainstormed a list of Melting Potions, which included Oil, Warm Water, Salt, Vinegar, Food Coloring, and Soap. We tested an ice cube in each type of liquid, and discovered tha Salt Water was the quickest way o melt an ice cube. We proceeded o make up a Salt Water Potion and poured some of that, and some salt all by itself, directly on o the ice cube (which is about 10' X 12" by 8" tall). We added food coloring to each spot where we put our potion, and it was amazing to see the water move and flow down the side of the ice cube as the block of Ice melted! NEXT WEEK: More experimentation with Freezing and NON-Freezing Potions, as we melt deeper into the giant block of ice. Green Energy (3:35) We worked on our Solar Powered Projects his week. Two of them to mention are the Solar Powered Car, and the Solar-Lit Biosphere. The car is pretty self explanatory, but the Solar-Lit Biosphere is going to be a self-contained mini-world containing plants, animals, and water, sealed up and lit with a solar powered light. NEXT WEEK: We will continue to work on our Solar Powered Projects, follow up on our Plant Experiments, and out fit our Terrarium with new plants and possibly a critter or two. We are hoping to bring a Reptile into the Science Center as a new guest as well.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 Mega Machines!(3:35 and 4:35) We continued our investigations with balls and ramps this week, setting up a number of tracks that stretched throughout the science center. We also tested out the Giant-Tube-Inclined-Plane-Machine,and did some planning and thinking about how to add more components to it. NEXT WEEK: We will continue our exploration of Inclined Planes, and build a second track running through the Giant-Tube-Inclined-Plane-Machine. Monday, November 15, 2010 Science Fun Zone (1:35) We have started to build a three-dimensional Ball Track that circles around a large cardboard tube (10" wide X 5' tall), with ramps, tubes, and spiralling ball tunnels. This is a project that a number of different classes will be working on, as we build different sections that will work together to create a whole series of ball-moving machines. Pictures to come! NEXT WEEK: We will continue cutting, drilling, building, and rolling! Design Technology (2:45) We started out the class discussing our Museum Exhibit Project, and starting with a great idea of Katie's, we decided to use Magnets as our focus. We will be developing a series of 5-10 interactive magnet activities that can be combined into one transportable display board. This will be an on-going project throughout the course of the year. NEXT WEEK: We will continue our prototyping for the Theater Show Props. Inventor's Workshop (3:35) We continued to work on our:
NEXT WEEK: If there are special invention supplies that you might need (like Henry's Wooden Catapult Parts), feel free to email anytime before Friday and I will see if I can have them on hand! Robotics Workshop (4:35) Our robotics students decided to work on the computer today....literally. With screwdrivers, hammers, and wire cutters. They discussed the idea at the start of class to each build their own robot using parts and pieces from a computer, and that is what we are doing. So we have a collection of metal bits, circuit boards, small motors, disk drives, wires, and more to work with in our design and construction. The rules will be developed by the students before we begin construction, but they will be set up in such a way that cooperation is more of the focus, rather than competition. NEXT WEEK: More dismantling, and taking inventory of all the pats and pieces we already have. we will also develop our rules and regulations for the "Computer Robot Competition". Thursday, November 11, 2010 Science Fun Zone (1:35) Our Science Fun Zone class helped Mr. Steve discover what a Ball is today, as we developed a definition, and then proceeded to Sort and Classify Mr. Steve's Ball Collection. Our definition of a ball was something that was round, but not flat, it bounced, it rolled, it could be thrown or kicked. Our categories for sorting were balls, not-balls, and maybe-balls. The breakdown pretty much came out as everything that was spherical was a ball, and items that only met one or sometimes two categories were not balls (i.e. a toy car, dice, a popping-half-ball, a cotton-ball, a flat picture of a soccer ball). From there we proceeded to test out Mr. Steve's latest invention...the Magical Ball Moving Machine! (A ramp). We used it to start rolling balls all over the classroom, wetting up ramps and tracks everywhere. NEXT WEEK: We will continue our explorations of Balls and Ramps as we et up more tracks and start to cooperate to build a Classroom Sized ball Track! Science Fun Zone (2:35) Our Science Fun Zone class helped Mr. Steve discover what a Ball is today, as we developed a definition, and then proceeded to Sort and Classify Mr. Steve's Ball Collection. Our definition of a ball was something that was round, but not flat, it bounced, it rolled, it could be thrown or kicked. Our categories for sorting were balls, not-balls, and maybe-balls. The breakdown pretty much came out as everything that was spherical was a ball, and items that only met one or sometimes two categories were not balls (i.e. a toy car, dice, a popping-half-ball, a cotton-ball, a flat picture of a soccer ball). From there we proceeded to test out Mr. Steve's latest invention...the Magical Ball Moving Machine! (A ramp). We used it to start rolling balls all over the classroom, wetting up ramps and tracks everywhere. NEXT WEEK: We will continue our explorations of Balls and Ramps as we et up more tracks and start to cooperate to build a Classroom Sized ball Track! Potions (3:35) Veteran's Day was a busy day for us, with most of our potions pupils showing up to get messy. We had a Students' Choice day, and the consensus was Glow-in-the-Dark Potions. We re-visited our Glow Stick Collection, and decided to take them apart carefully to see what was inside. From there we tried to make Glow-in-the-Dark Paper...we will check it out next week! NEXT WEEK: As it starts to turn colder, we will be doing a little experimentation with Freezing and NON-Freezing Potions, to see if we can create a potion that will not freeze, or will melt frozen objects. Potions (4:35) Every now and then we try out some Science Toy Field Testing in the Science Center, and this week we tested out a project called Magic Goo. This polymer based liquid moves and flows like Goo, clinging to itself to give the illusion of actually flowing up-hill! It took most of the class to make it, but everyone was impressed with it's gooey-ness, and all are looking for ward to testing it out in a more in-depth way next week. NEXT WEEK: As it starts to turn colder, we will be doing a little experimentation with Freezing and NON-Freezing Potions, to see if we can create a potion that will not freeze, or will melt frozen objects. (Ohh...we'll also look more into our Magic Goo as Well!) Wednesday, November 10, 2010 The Magician's Apprentice (12:35) Our Magician's Apprentice Class has been practicing tricks with Ropes, Cards, and Paper so far this year, and we took a few moments out today to work on our Magic Disappearing Box (a box that can hold magic tricks, but can also make objects disappear!) and our personal Magic Wands. NEXT WEEK: Finishing up our boxes, and continuing our work on our Magic Wands. Lego Mania! (1:35) Our Lego Mania class has been exploring some challenging building projects using Singl |
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141 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 Phone: 781-235-3210 Fax: 781-342-7500
information@linx-usa.com
141 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 Phone: 781-235-3210 Fax: 781-342-7500
information@linx-usa.com
Serving: Brookline • Dover • Framingham • Natick • Needham • Newton • Sudbury • Wayland • Wellesley • Weston • Westwood