Being aware of your potential to impact the world  is an important lesson to learn and one that continues well into adulthood.  In this week’s Summer of Science experiments we’re broadening our ecological awareness and exploring how pollution impacts weather in the form of melting polar ice caps and acid rain. 

I think it’s important, and necessary, for children to understand and realize that the same things we’re studying in our experiments are happening in the world RIGHT NOW and eventually the end result of the experiment is going to be the end result for Earth if we don’t start changing our ways. And now, on to the experiment!

It never fails, what should be the most fun experiments tend to go wrong.  No worries, we still had a great time recreating our own little tornados with two empty drink bottles, colored water, and nearly half a roll of electrical tape.

 

Is it just me or does lightning always looked like it’s spelled wrong, and by that I mean when it’s spelled right and when it is in fact spelled wrong?  Anyway.  This time of year we usually start experiencing severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and even the occasional tornado, though you wouldn’t know it with the drought that’s still going on, so I thought now would be the perfect time to explain how the sounds of thunder and the crackle of lightning are created. 

These two Summer of Science experiments are super easy and lots of fun….I mean who doesn’t like to pop balloons after rubbing them on our head?

Despite my online presence I can be a bit of a luddite when it comes to the latest tech devices.  So it may come as a shock to know that when the Kindle Fire came out last year I’d actually pre-ordered one for my son’s 14th birthday.  At the time the thought of needing a cover seemed silly, but now that the Fire has been confiscated and shared by the entire family, um, we need a cover and I’m not going to pay for something I can make.  Initially I whipped up a crochet pocket to keep it save and it wasn’t until this weekend that I finally dug out the sewing machine and threw together a quick cover.

The title of the post may be how NOT to make a Kindle cover but the fact of the matter is, it’s not that bad!  It just needs a little TLC and tweaking from a seamstress much more mastered than I.  It started out as a semi-complicated plan with elastic stretching in various directions but was quickly simplified with Velcro and a piece of clear vinyl.  I hope this, in the very least, gives you an idea of how you can quickly and easily sew your own Kindle cover. 

Okay, this week I’m working through some existential issues and refocusing (i.e. distracting myself) on planning our homeschooling curriculums for the 2012-2013 school year…I will be sharing later.  In the meantime, the kids and I had a day of science and, gasp, it was fun! 

For this Summer of Science Experiment we’re answering that age old question, what is dew?

My goodness, it’s been crazy around here this year and just when I think things are calming down I get smacked in the face with a rather large stick or a text message saying my name is in the paper for a failure to appear in court.  Don’t worry, the stitches are out, though my gums are still jacked up, and the text was apparently a spammer, the courthouse said I’m all good!  These science experiments have been my little bit of normal and a constant reminder that I still haven’t finalized all our homeschooling plans for this year.  When again should I start pulling my hair out while rocking uncontrollably in the corner of the closet?

Seriously though, have your children ever asked you were does rain come from?  No?  Well wait, they will…and you my friend will be able to explain it all to them after you read through this experiment!

Ugh…I’m so sick of BlogHer and it hasn’t even happened yet.  It’s been in the back of mind for a few months now but with everything that’s been happening in my here and now life it’s hard for me to feel like it matters.  Is that bad?  Ah well, because I’m not feeling it right now I’m going to share with you my TOP THREE Tips, What To’s, and How To’s and wrap this little series up and get back to some crafting and cooking!

1. Eighty MPH Mom has one of the most informative posts HERE. 
2. MomSpark has SO MUCH I don’t even now where to start but I really like this POST about preparing your blog as a business.
3. Um…so I guess I really only have two favorites…this is awkward…did I tell you I have a new camera?  It’s an Olympus PEN 1 ( I think) and I’m smitten.  It’s got the almost awesome skills of a DSLR but I don’t feel obnoxious or get a cramp in my hand trying to use it.  Here’s a few pictures…

I’m a paranoid person.  When driving down the highway I imagine 18 wheeler’s tires blowing and either taking off my head or causing their loads to topple over trapping us in a fiery death.  It’s who I am and I’ve come to accept that.  So, when I know I’m going to be in an unfamiliar place I like to scope it out before I get there.  You know, so I know where to go when the ax-wielding madman is on the loose or there’s a sudden outbreak of E. coli.

You’re probably wondering how being paranoid and blogging conferences mesh together…well, we’re going to pretend it’s not paranoia but a need to be prepared that drives me for starters.  Having a general idea of where you are, in my opinion, is a mandatory requirement to getting around ANYWHERE!  Here are a few other reasons why it’s NOT a waste of time to check out MapQuest, Google Maps, or whatever and figure out where the hell you are going. 

For this Summer of Science experiment we’re demonstrating how low pressure is created and its effects. 

I swear eventually I’ll blog about more than just science experiments, but once again I’m having health issues, in particular a headache/neck pain/cramping/weirdness.  Deep breathes.




Okay, on with the Summer of Science!  With the storms that have been rolling around the country it seems fitting that we’d be studying weather this month and a big part of meteorology is studying air pressure and the tool for that is a barometer.  The science behind a barometer can be confusing to a child but with just a couple of balloons and jars you can easily explain it.