Meniscus Schmiscus

February 4, 2010 By 1 Comment

I try very hard to be one of those down-to-earth folks.  I don’t like to wear my degree on my sleeve; I can discuss diaper rash or the latest TV show with the best of ‘em.  I hate when people drop ten dollar words to show off their pedigree.  However, occasionally I do slip up and assume that someone knows exactly what I’m talking about.  For example, last week I was showing a friend how to use a sewing machine.  After my five minute discourse on how to make a bobbin, she sheepishly asked, “What’s a bobbin?”  Oops…teacher FAIL!

In my last post, aimed at my peer group (parents), I mentioned teaching your children to love science for a lifetime.  I casually used the example of demonstrating a meniscus to your kids.  A dear friend, whom herself is well-versed in science, admitted she didn’t know what a meniscus was and had to look it up.  Oops again.  My mistake.  I’ve used the concept for so long (since I was a sophomore in high school, which was…ahem, cough cough…a couple years back) that it is as second nature as riding a bike.   So, here goes:

Meniscus [mi’ nisk?s]:  the curved surface (produced by the surface tension) of a liquid standing in a tube; concave if the sides are wet, convex if not.

Ok, so in everyday-speak, what does that mean?  Well, I think of it a lot like my bra…where there is support (ie the glass sides of a graduated cylinder or measuring cup), the liquid holds “up” (surface tension).  Where there is no support (in the middle), you have sag.  Hee hee.  When measuring liquid, the fluid will stick to the sides of the container and “sag” in the middle.  (This is very subtle, but does happen)  If you look at the liquid height at eye level, you should read the amount as the bottom of the meniscus.  In even simpler words, the top of the liquid is observed from the side, it will look like a bowl.  The correct measurement is the bottom of the “bowl,” not the sides.

Hope that helps. 

Cecilia

PS:  Ok, so now that you know the nitty-gritty on liquid measurements and that’s enlightening, what about that science fair project that’s due next week?  Go to 24 Hour Science Projects to help you on your way!!

Filed Under: Choosing a Science Project Topic, Elementary Science Projects, Science Project Blog, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

A Lifetime of Loving Science

January 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

It’s mid-January, and like most Moms I’m breathing a sigh of relief that kids are back in school.  After spending two wonderful weeks at home with all the children under one roof 24/7, it’s nice to have some breathing room.  During those days and weeks jam-packed with family activities, I was amazed yet again at how often science entered our family time, even with my preschoolers.   Granted, I do tend to lean towards the geeky side, but I’m still stunned everytime I hear a middle or high school student exclaim, “I HATE science/math!!”  So, here are some ideas to introduce a lifetime of loving science to your children.  “Love?” you exclaim doubtfully.  Ok, well at least a tolerance, ha ha!!

1.  Check your attitude:  Ouch.  Now, before you roll your eyes and say, “Easy for you,” let me explain.  I hate (and yes, I mean HATE) garden peas and peaches, but my children eat them.  When I was in school, P.E. was the bane of my existence!  Yet, my oldest child thinks it’s the greatest thing on earth.  Am I super Mom?  Heck no.  I just did my best to let them form their own opinions.  Sure, I still have a slight facial tic when my oldest mentions something fabulous he did in P.E., but I simply encourage his enthusiasm even though I don’t share it.  If science was your idea of you-know-where on earth as a student, try not to tell your child about it, at least not until they’re in college.  Do your best to offer opportunities and neutrality (if you can’t muster enthusiasm) and see what happens!

2.  Find science opportunites in everyday life:  Now, this one is far easier than number 1!  Obviously, cooking is a great time to introduce measuring and temperature concepts.  Keep the hand sanitizer nearby and let Johnny and Suzie measure out ingredients, scoop out dough, stir and blend, and, of course, quality control (taste sampling).  Explain concepts as you go—What’s a meniscus?  How does water change the consistency?  Why do we add salt to water before it boils?  One of my favorite principles in Chemistry is limiting reagents.  I use that ALL the time in cooking, and I assure you my kids will understand it before they ever enter a Chemistry class.  (if you don’t know, a limiting reagent is the item that “limits” how far a reaction will go…if your recipe calls for 1 cup sugar and 1 cup flour and you have 100 cups of sugar and 2 cups of flour, the flour is your limiting reagent.  You can make only 2 batches of your recipe before you are limited by the flour.)  Other household chores present science opportunites.  My goal is that one day my kids will “enjoy” the experimentation involved with yardwork and laundry without realizing they are doing chores!!

3.  Surround your kids with science books and TV/movie opportunites:  I was surprised when my oldest child started reading how many science books are available, even for early readers.  I get most of mine at yard sales and thrift stores, but your local library should have a great selection as well.  It’s just as easy for them to learn about reading with books on weather and nature as it is to read about My Little Pony’s Adventure to Candy Castle.  While I’m not a huge advocate for TV watching, I am a realist.  Especially when you have kids of different ages.  Sometimes, you and the kidlets need some downtime.  After a twelve year hiatus, we recently got TV again in our home.  I’m pleasantly surprised at the shows offered on PBS.  One of my preschoolers now knows more about dinosaurs than I ever did and he’s learning great things on scientific procedure from Sid the Science Kid.  And once your kids are older, the sci-fi genre of movies offers an endless supply of science adventures and intrigue.  My point is this:  if your kids are going to watch TV/movies anyway, let it be a chance to learn some decent science and math principles!

Enjoy!  Have fun creating a lifetime of loving science in your home…or at least tolerate it while you watch your children grow and learn:-)

Cecilia

PS:  So this is great, but you have a middle-schooler with a science project due next week?!?!  Go to 24 Hour Science Projects to get you started on your scientific journey!!

Filed Under: Last Minute Science Projects, Science Project Blog, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

What Makes A “Good” Science Project?

December 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

What makes a good science project? Well, there are many answers to that question: From a philosophical standpoint, one that encourages your student to enjoy science (instead of fearing/dreading it). From an academic viewpoint, one that gets a high grade. From a parenting standpoint, one that requires minimal supervision, assistance, and hair-pulling/nagging. For this discussion, however, I am going to look at what makes a “good” science project from a SCIENTIFIC viewpoint. In other words, I am going to discuss good scientific priniciples to consider when you are approaching a scientific investigation, whether it is on the elementary, middle school, or high school level.

1. Be creative. While you may read suggestions from books, friends, the internet, etc., approach each project as a unique experience. In other words, add your own “twist” or different approach. The whole point is to be discovering NEW things, not doing the exact same project that Susie did last year. This also personalizes the project and increases interest from a student when they have added their own preferences.

2. Be a control freak. Yes, you read that correctly. When setting up your project, you want to eliminate unnecessary variables that may skew your results. Basically, you want to keep things as uniform/standard EXCEPT for the variables you are testing. For example, if you are investigating the effect of soil on plant growth, you want to ensure that the plants are getting the same amount of sunlight, equal pot size, same room temperature (if you are growing indoors), and of course equal amounts of plant food/water. In other words, you want SOIL to be the only thing that differs in your experiments. You want to be as “scientific” as possible….when measuring, use a graduated cylinder or measuring cup (and yes, use the same measuring utensil unless you are using laboratory grade glassware; household measures can vary greatly from one to another). While most students won’t be doing their science projects in a laboratory, try to mimic the standards of laboratory protocol as much as you can.  Take copious notes and include this as part of your presentation!

3. Be honest. Part of science is trial and error. Some of the best science projects that I’ve seen had unexpected results. If your results are completely opposite of your hypothesis, still report your results honestly and accurately. If you have a disaster (my dog literally ate my science project), don’t be afraid to report it with candor and do the best you can with the results you have. Fudging, white lies, and made-up results are all the same thing: lying. And completely unscientific.

 

Hope this gets your young scientist off to a GREAT start on your “good” science project, at least from the view of this scientist!

Cecilia

PS: Need some help getting your ideas flowing for that good science project? Try 24 Hour Science Projects to get you started on your scientific journey!!

Filed Under: Choosing a Science Project Topic, Elementary Science Projects, Science Project Blog, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Science Projects, Cheap! No Bailout Required

November 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lunch money, field trips, school pictures, clothes, shoes, teacher appreciation, snack day, book fair, fundraisers galore…am I the only one that feels as if the school year is an endless drain on my finances?  A proverbial syphon on my wallet?  I’m always wondering, “What next?”  And then it comes home one day in the backpack (which, now that you mention it, is getting ratty and probably needs to be replaced)….the dreaded science project.  Great.  What’s this going to run me?  Twenty dollars?  Thirty?  Gulp.  More?!?!

Years ago (before I was a mom), I worked as a technical consultant for a large chemical company that, among other things, produced chemical test kits.  Even though I didn’t have children, I knew exactly when the science project assignments were coming out.  I received calls from all over the country asking many of the same things:  “Where can I find a cheap, reliable test for lead?”  (You can’t.)   “How much is a spectrometer?”  (More than you want to spend on a science fair project.)  “Do you sell any test kits without chemicals?”  (I preferred to answer that one with silence.)  These calls came from parents of two types:  (a) those that were genuinely unaware of the cost, hazard and knowledge of such prefab kits and (b)  those that regarded money as no object as long as little Susie or Johnny could get a good grade.

Well, I’ve been called many things in my life (some of which I don’t care to repeat in an open forum).  Coupon Lady.  Junker (not to be confused with junkie). Penny Pincher.  And my favorite—-Queen of Cheap.  I decided that there has to be ways to do quality science projects and keep costs to a minimum.    So, here are some thoughts on creative ways to produce quality science projects without breaking the bank.

1.  Consider the cost BEFORE choosing a project.   Make sure you look over the list of required components.  Are you going to have to buy almost everything new?  Don’t forget to allow some money for producing the final product (if you aren’t crafty and don’t have a supply of cardstock, glue, & accesories, remember that you’ll be buying some stuff to make a project board).  If the project you want to do requires five variables that you will have to purchase at $10 each, you might want to move on to a more budget friendly idea.  Have your young scientist brainstorm on ideas that can be done using everyday household “stuff.”  Personally, I think of a new science project almost every time I do laundry or cook supper (the effect of time on stains, home remedy stain removers, water temperature, boiling points, surface area, etc.)

2.  Make it a game to see how little you can spend on the project.  Perhaps you can incorporate it into the theme  and subtitle accordingly.  For example, “Cheap Heats/Building a solar heater without spending a dime”  This is particularly great if you are doing an experiment or demonstration on something like recyling.  Let the entire assignment be a lesson on budgeting, especially if you have a child in middle school or older!  Can you do a project using only resources at home/borrowed/donated?  How about five dollars?  Ten?  Make it fun!!

3.  Know or learn where to shop.  This can be time consuming, but extremely cost-effecctive.  Many, if not all, of your materials can be found at local thrift stores.  Depending on your area, you may have a plethora of “junk” sources right in your backyard–Salvation Army, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and many local ministries as well.   Also, yard sales are a great resource.  The typical rule of thumb for yard sale prices is 1/8 of the original sales price (so it pays to know the value of things).  Often, you can get people to donate stuff if they know it is for school.  Whether you are shopping at thrift stores or yard sales, don’t be afraid to ASK for deals and/or freebies.  Finally, the internet is a great resource for hunting out great deals.  Craigs’ List is a neat tool for finding local deals.  If a parent or someone you know is on websites such as facebook, you can put out a request…”looking for 2 yards of fabric for science fair project” or “need three different brands of sunscreen…”  You’ll be amazed at the response!

Hope this helps you create a great science project without having to sell an organ!  Happy deal hunting!

Cecilia

PS:  Want an inexpensive way to launch your budget friendly science project?  Consider 24 Hour Science Projects.  There are some excellent ideas with very easy to find (and inexpensive) components!!

Filed Under: Cheap science projects, Choosing a Science Project Topic, Middle School Science Project Tagged With: , , , , ,

I’m not competitive; I just like to win, part 2

November 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

We are on part 2 of our discussion on Winning Science Projects. (Read the post – I’m Not Competitive, I Just Want to Win.) If you are merely interested in getting a passing grade on your assignment and nothing more, you need not read any further. If you are an overachiever and/or the parent of one, read on!

4. Cross Your “t’s” and Dot Your “i’s”: Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are often overlooked in the science world. While I was a TA in graduate school, I got many complaints from students that it was “unfair” to deduct points for grammatical issues in their science papers. I wholeheartedly disagree! Even if you have a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics, you still need to be able to communicate written thoughts in a proper manner. Grammar errors, in general, will detract from the overall research and will make the end result seem far less polished. “Ya do’nt want there pore grammer to be a detraction from they’re hard wurk [sic, sic, sic, and SICK!]” If your child has problems with grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation, provide him (or get help from someone who can) with editing assistance. However, make sure you explain why their work is incorrect instead of merely fixing it!

5. Beauty is in the Eye of the …Judge/Teacher: Pay attention to the aesthetic details–neatness (I recommend typing if it is allowed), ease of reading, and “curb appeal.” Don’t try to squeeze in an extra page by using a size 7 font. Remember the people evaluating the project may not have eyes as young and healthy as yours. Consider using an attractive fabric as a background if you are doing a display. Pick a color scheme (one to two colors; you don’t want it to look like a hippy bus). If you are displaying graphs and charts, mat or frame them with a contrasting background color (cardstock works nicely and is inexpensive). If you have them, pictures of your project in progress are attention grabbers. Also, if you are able to attach 3-D effects to the display (a measuring spoon next to your procedure, samples of your variables (if they are small and easily attached to a display board), for example. You want to pull in your viewers with as many senses as you can!

6. I said, “Win,” not, “Cheat!”: While I freely admit that I like to win, do not cross the fine line between assisting and taking over! Let the project be your student’s and not yours. If they are in middle school, they are not expected to know complex organic chemistry formulas or scientific terms that most college juniors can’t explain. This is an area that, as a Mom, I struggle with more than I thought I would. Having a child with mild special needs, it is often much easier/faster/smooth and less stressful/aggravating/blood-pressure-elevating if I do an assignment rather than coach him through it. However, there are too many dangers in doing the project for them: (a) If they are asked questions about a paper or procedure, they will be unable to answer (b) There is a risk that the child will get a lesser grade or be overlooked in a science fair if it is suspected that it was a parent’s project and (c) Your child will come to expect you to do every future assignment for them (I shiver at this thought!!).

Again, knowledge and science are rewarding… but winning is nice, too. Happy research and experimenting, and may the best scientist win!

Cecilia

PS If you want to win, but are short on time, go to 24 Hour Science Projects for a complete guide to your (hopefully) winning science project.

Filed Under: Tips for Science Fair Tagged With: , ,

I’m not competitive; I just like to win, part 1.

November 23, 2009 By 1 Comment

I’m not competitive; I just like to win. Of course, as a (stereo)typical nerd, I’m not exactly the athletic type. In fact, I was third string in church-league softball. So, I turned my competitive spirit towards a more even playing field: science. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe in the value of education in and of itself. I’m all for personal enrichment and will even participate in a group hug or a good round of Kum By Ya. However, I would like to address those of you that want a science project that will do more than just get the requirement out of the way. No matter if your idea of winning is a science fair medal, getting an “A,” or sparking a lifetime interest in science in your child…the following ideas are for a winning project—whether your child is in elementary, middle school, or high school.

1. Go With the Times: Of course, you’re going to get a lot more enthusiasm from your child if the project doesn’t bore him to tears. Consider guiding your young Einstein towards a project that hits on a current trend or theme in the news: environmental (recycling, reusing, producing less waste), economy (projects that compare name brand to generic, recommended versus necessary quantities for cleaning products, alternative–and cheap!–energy sources), health and fitness (vitamin C, coatings on vitamins,etc). By choosing a “hot” project, not only will your child have a greater interest in the research, but you have a better chance of catching the attention of a science fair judge or teacher. Remember, there are only so many homemade tornadoes that someone can look at before their eyes glass over!

2. Play By the Rules: Make sure that you are aware of the restrictions and requirements for the project. You don’t want a student to do all that work to be disqualified or overlooked on a technicality. Be careful with size limits (board displays and paper length). Also, ensure that you are complying with the TYPE of project that the teacher has requested. You don’t want to turn in a demonstration when an experiment was expected. Check and double check that you have all required elements to the project (Purpose, Hypothesis, Procedure, Conclusion, Graphs, References, etc). This step may seem obvious, but you always want to cover the basics so that your project can “shine” on all the extras.

3. Catch Their Eye: A catchy title can go a long way. “The Effects of Hair Products on Hair Strength” is not nearly as engaging as “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.” Consider using a popular song title/lyric or pun to get a smile from your audience.

Well, let’s allow that info to simmer (on the Bunsen Burner, of course) for a while. Stay tuned for the continuation of creating a winning science project!

Cecilia

Filed Under: Choosing a Science Project Topic Tagged With: , ,

I’m a nerd, but don’t hold it against me…

November 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again. Fall is in the air, leaves are on the ground. Pumpkin pies in the oven, and the kids are back in school. While for many parents the kids being in school is a sigh of relief, a calm in the midst of the storm of childhood angst, it also brings about its own set of ramifications. What to wear today? Where’s my homework? Does Billy like me? But perhaps that scariest of questions, the one many a parent has sworn was immediately followed by the Psycho soundtrack (rreeeennn, rrreeeen, rrreeeen), the Holy Grail of parent nightmares—-”Mom, I have a science project due next week. Uhmmm, what should I do?”

Now, we all know that this is immediately followed by the lecture that my dearly departed father titled, “You need to get your priorities in order…” i.e. “This assignment didn’t just pop up overnight.” However, no amount of lecturing by the parent is going to accomplish the end goal: a satisfactory project that the STUDENT can complete and actually LEARN.

So, here I am. I’m sure in this world of cyber-anomynity, I will feel free to divulge many dark secrets. Here is one of my deepest: I LOVE science. Not just a little bit. A whole lotta love. Like a bee to the flower. Moth to the flame. Nerd to the pocket protector. While my classmates in highschool all had a crush on the quarterback of the football team, I secretly thought my chemistry teacher was “IT,” in a pale skinned, balding, corduroy-pants-with-flannel-shirt sort of way. Why? Because he brought science to life. Yes, chemistry was challenging. Yet I saw so many applications to everyday life. Do you realize how often you use the concept of limiting reagents? So, I went on to college to graduate with a B.S. in Chemistry and spent many years as a bench top chemist and later as a technical consultant.

But I digress. These days my job title is mostly “Mom.” Occasionally, I get a chance to tutor in math and science. The only chemicals I’m touching these days, however, are the ones found in diaper ointment and children’s Tylenol. I miss it, though, and these fall days where school is in session remind me of my science past. As I watch the parents around me struggle with the elusive science projects, I realized that perhaps I could offer some help. A Geek’s Guide to the School System, if you will. From elementary to middle school to high school science. From someone that enjoys science and was excited to do science fair projects, let me share some ideas, concepts, insights.

Science is amazing. It is real. It is doable. Let’s jump into it together…but for tonight, that is enough. Next post: “What I would do for a science project if I knew then what I know now.”

Until then,

Cecilia

PS Need a fast and easy project for elementary school or middle school? You can have one in 24 Hours – before tomorrow’s post! Visit 24 Hour Science Projects and be finished with a GREAT science project by this time tomorrow!

Filed Under: Middle School Science Project, Science Project Blog Tagged With: