While I like to use technology, I'm not an expert. When I connected our wireless printer to the wifi, I did a victory dance, just like the time I updated the router! Wooo! But, I'm serious about incorporating technology into science classes, even for elementary aged children. Aside from blogs, I like kids to use sensors. Summer is the time to bid online for sensors. There are two major companies producing sensors and links for schools: Vernier and Pasco. Vernier's Elementary Science equipment includes free software to download to a laptop. Start with the free Loggerlite software and a GoTemp thermometer sensor. Connect to the laptop and begin collecting data with these instructions. or this mitten experiment. GoTemp sensors sell for $39. I shop eBay and Good Will for sensors. Ebay has one right now for sale for $19.95. If you only buy one sensor, make it a thermometer. Here are a few ideas for your new temperature probe.
1. Calibrate your thermometer. Is it accurate? You'll want to calibrate all of your thermometers. (The instructions are from a program, called GLOBE.)
2. Make a thermometer. You can calibrate it, too. How does it compare to a spirit thermometer? If you have an infrared thermometer, compare it, too.
3. Try this experiment measuring temperature and reaction time from Science Buddies. Science Buddies are a great place to start when you're looking for Science Fair ideas, too.
4. Measure the greenhouse effect. This is another popular topic for kids. Be aware that many, many kids do this experiment for Science Fair. It is a good experiment to try with your new thermometer.
5. How about accuracy and precision?
6. Calorimetry from Flinn Scientific is another great way to test your thermometer. Calorimetry is another popular experiment conducted for Science Fair. Just bear in mind, that popular experiments have way too much competition.
7. Reaction in a Bag is one of my favorite labs. Calcium chloride is the chemical in some drive-way deicers. Sodium bicarbonate is baking soda. Home Training Tools carries phenol red, an acid-base indicator. Incidently, Home Training Tools caters to home-school families. I order from them all of the time!
8. Specific Heat and Climate does require a digital scale or balance. This balance is quite accurate.
9. Another good topic is Temperature vs Heat. What's the difference?
10. This kid's experiment on the effects of temperature on yeast looks like it might be okay for Science Fair.
My hope is that this list sparks your own ideas for an experiment. Let's use our new digital temperature probe!
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