I know a lot of people think of Edison as the whiz kid of that time, but Tesla was the real brain! Nikola Tesla Accomplishments out-range those of his competitor and still have a lasting effect. Let's look at a few of them. This booklet I have for you will not only help budding writers, but teach them a little about the legacy of this amazing man and his inventions. Do me a favor (and your kids) do NOT dumb down anything - kids are super smart and CAN grasp concepts. Nikola Tesla Accomplishments and Legacy : AC Induction Motor: An induction motor or asynchronous motor is an AC electric motor in which the electric current in the rotor needed to produce torque is obtained by electromagnetic induction from the magnetic field of the stator winding. An induction motor can therefore be made without electrical connections to the rotor. Tesla Coil A Tesla coil is an electrical resonant transformer circuit designed by inventor Nikola Tesla in 1891. It is used to produce … [Read more...]

Mission to Mars. So many attempts have been made to explore the solar system and various planetary bodies. The planet Mars has been one to attract the attention of man the most. Mars was one of the first known planets discovered by man; Mars is also the fourth planet from the sun and the second-smallest planet in the solar system. It is also true to say it is the closest planet to Earth. I am sure those facts are not strange to most of us, but what we might not know are facts about how man has attempted to explore this planet (Mars), guess what? You are in luck. I will be giving you 20 facts about Mission to Mars. Some of which you have heard about and others you will see for the first time. 20 Facts About Mission to Mars Did you learn anything new about Mission to Mars? Check out some of our other space posts: … [Read more...]

Third grade science teaches how a star is born. This worksheet of mine is a great way to help learn and nail that concept! A star is born when atoms of light elements are squeezed under enough pressure for their nuclei to undergo fusion. All stars are the result of a balance of forces: the force of gravity compresses atoms in interstellar gas until the fusion reactions begin. If you Google "How a Star is Born" you are likely to get about a million posts about the movie Directed by Bradley Cooper. With Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, Greg Grunberg. A musician helps a young singer find fame as age and alcoholism. Not exactly what you want to teach a little in science! It is not really something out of Scientific American either, LOL! Use this free printable worksheet of mine to help get the basics understood by your little astronomer - it is age-appropriate and will let you study further if there is a real interest. If you see signs of real interest, the best thing … [Read more...]

Black Holes are a classic STEM enigma. We love to think of them as empty space, but they actually have mass! A black hole is a region of spacetime exhibiting gravitational acceleration so strong that nothing—no particles or even electromagnetic radiation such as light—can escape from it. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass can deform spacetime to form a black hole. So what could be a more fun way to learn about them than making black hole donuts? Playing off of that, we have whipped up Black Hole Donuts that you can make with your kiddo and then enjoy together! We have talked before about how awesome it is to cook with kids, and all of the lessons that they can learn in the kitchen, so this is a great "lesson. How to Make Black Hole Donuts You will need: Instructions Other donut recipes you may like: … [Read more...]

The simple things are often the most fun to do! When I wrote the book: My First Hurricane, I wanted to help educate kids on basic weather concepts. This How to Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar is a GREAT way to teach a visual on simple weather for the littles and can help them understand the storms a little better. I am a firm believer that when you understand something, you are less likely to be afraid of it! How to Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar Supplies needed:- clear glass mason jar- regular white foamy shaving cream, do not use gel- blue food coloring (or color of your choice)- toothpick Directions: 1. Begin by filling your mason jar 3/4 of the way full with cold water. You need to use cold and not warm or room temp since that will melt the shaving cream.2. Add the shaving cream to the top of the water. Fill it up 1/4 of the way so the jar is now full. 3. Add a few drops of food coloring to the top of the shaving cream. You will need to give it a little time to soak … [Read more...]

Science is perhaps one of the most difficult subjects in school, which often means that not every student is allowed to take as much science as they might wish. They most likely do earth sciences and geology, and some basic biology, but physics and chemistry are often out of reach. Yet these sciences can be fun and fascinating subjects when taught properly. Part of good science education is lab work and hands-on experience. Safety and proper supervision are key to the success of science-based activities. An enthusiastic teacher might be willing to start a science club. Why a Science Club? The academic benefits are already clear. For students, they might also get to meet new people, and science club will always look good on their resume and college application. Steps to a New Science Club 1. Brainstorm what type of club it will be Will it be open to the whole school, or certain grades? Will it meet at lunchtime, or after school? 2. Decide on a focus It could be … [Read more...]