Keeping It Simple

Part 2: Making paper from a used brown paper bag to make labels to put on boxes so that we can start our own "recycling factory".       Kit with materials ready to go!                                    Mark and James tear up a paper bag (1 cup).  Place pieces and 4 cups of warm water in a bowl. While we waited for 5 minutes for the paper to soak, we watched a cool video about the recycling process on youtube. Add the paper and water to the blender (with help from big brother Paul).  Slowly turn blender on and then increase speed.  Place a screen over a mug with a rubber band to secure it. Pour the pulp on to the screen. Let the water drain into the mug by pushing on the pulp. Place the pulp on a screen on newspaper or paper towel...

When this experiment showed up in my email box, I knew the boys would love it. And it is very, very simple! Step 1 Put a candle behind a box and try to blow it out. (it does not show in the picture, but James blew really, really hard to try and blow the candle out) Step 2 Repeat the experiment, but this time use a round can. (with no effort, the candle blew out) "In the 1930’s Henri Marie Coanda discovered that a fluid (air is a fluid) has a tendency to follow a curved surface." For a complete explanation of this experiment, you can visit Exploration Education's Newsletter for April . (I don't want to break any copyright laws!)                                                          ...

Years ago, I subscribed to these kits from the Young Scientist Club. As sometimes happens (at least around here) they were shelved and quickly forgotten. When I first saw this " Science Sunday " link up, I thought this might a be a good reason to dust off those kits and join in! I love it when when I stumble across some bloggy inspiration. Science Kit 1 Purpose: to learn about the importance of recycling by making a mini-composter and by making different kinds of paper from old paper to use as labels on recycling bins. Mini-composter:   Fill a container large enough to old the two peat moss pellets (included in kit) 1/4 C full of water (we actually switched to two smaller containers).  Once peat moss has enlarged, put a small piece of apple in the middle of one peat moss pellets making sure that is completely covered with the peat moss. Put a small piece of plastic bag in the second pellet also covering it completely.  Water the top of both peat moss...