The Library of Things!

Our library system is located in a large DC suburb; it’s quite innovative.  There are  Maker Spaces with 3D printers, Make and Take kits, and even The Library of Things. Whenever possible I browse the local library for ideas.  Our local library has a dedicated shelf for its Library of Things.  Today, the shelf has crochet, bocce, a thermal detector, and air quality kit.  Next summer, I plan to borrow several kits for Science Camp.  I want to borrow the radon kit, thermal sensor, and air quality sensor.  Your library may have similar devices to loan.  Check and see!  If you want to borrow environmental devices, see if you have a NASA Outreach Center.  I’ve used the center in Katherine Johnson Center located in Fairmont WV.  These centers have an assortment of tools, such as GPS devices or IR thermometers to loan.  Check with the local Soil and Water Conservation District to see if there is an educator.  Usually, Soil and Water acts as a clearinghouse for resources from several agencies.  

Ionic Blocks Update

 I posted here about nomenclature quizzes with blocks.  Last week I had an epiphany; I already have wooden blocks.  My husband spray painted them for me.  Below are the completed blocks.  The foam blocks are tiny and hard to read.  These blocks are much easier to read.

Family Science: STEM Kits!

Our little family does a lot of science on the side.  Our son-in-law is a software engineer who loves to buy fancy kits.  Ken drops off Paul and the complicated kit for us to navigate. Have you considered buying a STEM kit for Christmas?   Good Will online has a LEGO Boost, Snap Circuits, and Makey Makey kits available.  Makey Makey is a simple circuit kit.  However, this kit has clear instructions and fun ideas; kids use play doh and bananas to complete circuits.  LEGO Boost and LEGO Droid Commander are much more complicated.  First, the LEGO kits must be assembled. (You need to like building with LEGOS.  I mention this because our little family is NOT fond of building with LEGOS.) The controller needed to program the assembled robot can be tricky to insert.  (Ask me how I know.)  Our little family made the LEGO Boost kits family projects.  Programming the assembled robots was intuitive for Paul; but his daddy is a software engineer.  Paul was coding at seven.  I could understand the coding instructions from the LEGO Boost app.  I have no background or seemingly any aptitude for coding.  Look for sealed, used sets or kits.  Check at your library, too.  Ask if they have a Makey Makey kit, Snap Circuits, or other stem kits available.  Libraries with Maker Spaces often have these kits to try.  See if your kids even like Snap Circuits.  

 

Geocaching!

 n another life I used Garmin eTrex GPS devices to map sites for studies.  Families can geocache with these work horse devices.  But, you don’t need a GPS eTrex to geocache.  Instead download the free app on your cell phone to get started.  Here is an introduction to geocaching.  Look over this list of rules and geocaching etiquette before you start.  Sometimes, the cache has small prizes.  Here are ideas for small prizes to leave in exchange, such as keychains.  Does your family craft together?  Our little family likes to stamp leather keychains and bracelets, ideal as a small prize.  Try geocaching!  See if this fun activity resonates with your family.

School on a Budget: Salt Dough Projects!

  Do you make salt dough for projects?  Here is a simple recipe from Celebrating Chemistry with suggestions to vary the flour and salt—making the dough activity more inquiry-based.  I recommend experimenting with several salt dough recipes.  What can you do with the dough?  Make cell models, landforms,  fossil casts, layers of the earth, and salt dough plants (Make the models scientifically correct.). You can make salt dough maps.  If you make extra dough, plan on using it for salt dough ornaments.   There was a suggestion on social media to use the corrugated campaign signs as bases for the salt dough projects.  Ha!  There are certainly many still up in our area since the election.

Shop Good Will!

 Do you shop Good Will online?  Good Will stores across the nation post lots online here. It’s a fabulous place to find science books, kits, and equipment.   Below are current listings.  Take a look!

Portfolio Season

 Some states require home-school families to have a licensed teacher prepare a letter testifying she has reviewed a large body of sample work for each student in the family.  West Virginia is one state with these requirements.  For a number of years, I have reviewed portfolios for families.  Here are a few tips.  First, create a Slideshow, a digital portfolio.  I include photos of the books, sample work, tests, etc.  Additionaly, I include a few notes about progress in each subject.  When I review portfolios, I write a lengthy letter for the local Board of Education (BOE).  In the first,paragraph, I explain the curriculum and extracurricular activities, such as Scouts, service, sports, etc. The main paragraphs describe each school subject.  Frequently, I add excerpts from essays the child has written.  When I write letters to the BOE, I include facts and the positive attributes of the family’s program or curriculum.  I add any suggestions or recommendations to the family, not the BOE.  Here is a letter I wrote for a family based on a lengthy interview.  Below is a short letter which may be useful for your BOE.