What's more fun than eating jellybeans? Making things with jellybeans and toothpicks, of course! These simple ingredients can be used to create all sorts of fun shapes and structures. So break out the candy and the toothpicks and let your kids' imaginations run wild. What are they made of? Jellybeans are mostly made up of sugar, which is a type of carbohydrate. When you put a jellybean in your mouth, the saliva in your mouth starts to break down the sugar into smaller molecules. This process is called hydrolysis. As the sugar molecules get smaller, they start to interact with the proteins in your saliva. This interaction between the carbohydrates and proteins is what gives jellybeans their characteristic chewy texture. In addition to sugar, jellybeans also contain something called pectin. Pectin is a type of fiber that helps to give jellybeans their shape. Pectin is also responsible for making jellybeans gummy when they're chewed. Toothpicks are made from a type of … [Read more...]
Fascinating Facts About the Bat Life Cycle
Did you know that bats are the only flying mammal in the world? Or that there are more than 1,200 different types of bats? Bats are pretty amazing creatures and they go through some pretty incredible changes during their lifetime. Here are some fascinating facts about the bat life cycle. Baby Bats All baby animals are called infants, and baby bats are no exception. Baby bats are called “infants” or “pups.” A baby bat is born blind and cannot fly. Baby bats are born in colonies where they live with their mothers and other female bats. The average litter size for a bat is one pup, but some mothers can have two pups at a time. Bats are born blind and deaf. They are totally helpless when they are first born and rely on their mother for everything. Baby bats drink their mother’s milk until they are old enough to eat insects on their own. Nursery Within a few weeks, however, they start to grow quickly. Their eyes and ears open and they begin to explore their … [Read more...]
Football FAQ: So You Won’t Look Too Stupid Watching Football
OK, I don't know about you, but I am not a huge sports fan. I danced (ballet and tap) and played volleyball. Organized sports, as a whole, tend to elude my normal orbit. Being in high school, in a town that LOVES it's football, this can be a problem. So today? I have Football FAQs for all of you who are like me AND I have a cool football activity set in my shop now just for you! American football is one of the most popular sports in the United States. If you're new to the sport, it can be a bit confusing to understand all the rules and jargon. But don't worry! This beginner's guide will teach you everything you need to know about football so that you can be an informed fan come game day. The Field Football is played on a rectangular field that is 100 yards long and 53.3 yards wide. At each end of the field there is an end zone that extends 10 yards deep into the field. In the middle of each end zone there is a goal post that consists of two vertical posts connected by a … [Read more...]
The Common Eider: A North American Bird Icon
The Common Eider is a large seabird that can be found in coastal areas of the northern hemisphere. Eiders are easily recognized by their black-and-white plumage and their large, orange bill. These birds are interesting not only for their unique appearance but also for their behavior. For example, did you know that eiders are the only bird species known to use tools? Keep reading to learn more fascinating facts about the Common Eider! Appearance As previously mentioned, Common Eiders are easily recognizable due to their black-and-white plumage. Male eiders have mostly white feathers, while females and juveniles have more dark feathers. Both males and females have a patch of black feathers on their backs, which is where their scientific name, Somateria mollissima, comes from—mollissima means "softest" in Latin. Common Eiders can grow to be quite large, with a length of up to 27 inches and a wingspan of up to 42 inches. Males are typically larger than females, but there is … [Read more...]
The Secret Life of Trees
The secret life of trees? Who knew there was even such a thing!?? Plant care is becoming an increasingly important subject, especially now that more Americans are becoming plant parents. In fact, the 2019 National Gardening Survey revealed that American gardeners have spent about $50 billion on lawn and garden retail sales. That number is only growing since the global pandemic hit - families that never even scratched their dirt before were all of a sudden planting gardens and trees to guarantee food for their families. My folks added a pear tree to their mini orchard of an apricot and cherry tree - and wanted an apple tree but there were none available! The Secret Life of Trees Therapist Lily Ewing explained that this trend is also related to our human need to create and nurture connections. Whenever gardeners provide their plants with the right amount of sunlight, water, and nutrients, they're rewarded with growth — from strong roots to lush green leaves. Given how … [Read more...]
Conductors and Insulators: A Lesson on Electricity
Kids learn through play. The best way for kids to learn about electricity is by learning from a teacher or parent and then using that knowledge to perform experiments at home. Whether you are using experiments to supplement a public school education, for homeschool, or to satisfy your child’s curiosity and learn more, there are several experiments that you can perform at home to learn about conductors and insulators. What is Electricity? Electrons are particles with a negative charge. When electrons move from one atom to the next, it creates electricity. Electrons are subatomic particles, which means that they are inside of atoms. A proton is a subatomic particle with a positive charge. Since electrons have a negative charge and protons have a positive charge, they want to match up so they are neutral. Electrons float around the atom until they get enough energy to be pushed towards a proton. When you add electricity, that … [Read more...]
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