What is an earthquake? An earthquake is movement of the earth that causes shaking and rolling of the earth. This is generally the result of movement of the tectonic plates of the earth, though some recent quakes where I live have, some say, been caused by unsafe methods of… Continue reading
All of the things we make are made from materials of one kind or another. Sometimes they’re made from raw materials, and sometimes we have to make the materials first before we can make objects from them. The science of materials at its simplest is suitable for preschool classes,… Continue reading
Engineering for k-12? It’s not that wild an idea, especially with math and engineering magnet schools springing up around the country. Engineers are problem solvers who use math, science, and creativity to make things work better. These are skills we’ll all find useful in the 21st century. As it happens,… Continue reading
Learn about Greek mythology and the earth science explanation of the seasons by studying the story of Persephone, the goddess of spring. In Greek mythology, Demeter was the goddess of the harvest. She had a daughter, Persephone, whom she loved dearly. As Persephone grew up, she became so lovely that… Continue reading
Jump!, by Scott M. Fischer, is fun any time of year, but we see it as a great choice for the beginning of school, when we all have to get used to getting up and getting going again. The book shows one creature after another sleeping or going about its… Continue reading
March 31st is the birthday of Robert Wilhelm Eberhard von Bunsen, so it’s also Bunsen Burner Day. Bunsen was a modest, sensible man who did plenty of important scientific work in addition to inventing the Bunsen Burner. The big deal about the Bunsen Burner is that it mixes the fuel gas… Continue reading
Christina Rossetti wrote, “Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I,” but understanding the wind is essential to understanding weather. March is a traditional time to study about the wind. With young children, kites and other wind-powered toys are a great way to introduce the topic. Here are some links… Continue reading
Learn about Sumatra, part of Indonesia and home to one of the oldest rain forests on earth. Sumatra has so many fascinating plants and animals that it would be an excellent subject for a class Big Book on flora and fauna. Study together about the basics of the Sumatran… Continue reading
Less than a century ago, children in the United States faced real threats from malaria, hookworm, polio, rickets, smallpox, and a host of other health issues that have been largely overcome. Studying these conditions can bring 21st century students a greater appreciation of the health practices we try to convince… Continue reading
“Why are we doing math in writing class?” a student complained this morning. “Because we’re working with information, and this information happens to have numbers in it,” I explained. That’s why it makes sense to do math in health class, too, or health in math class, as the case… Continue reading
