Tag: science

Journey to the Stars DVD

Found this on the Homeschool Buyers Co-op site:

Resource: FREE “Journey to the Stars” DVD from NASA
Provider: NASA: Journey to the Stars
Summary: Age Range: 5-18 (Grades 5-12) NASA and the American Museum of Natural History have produced a planetarium show about the stars in our cosmos including exploding stars, giant stars, dwarf stars, neutron stars, and even our own star, the Sun
Description: But you don’t have to go to a planetarium to experience it, because NASA will send you a Journey to the Stars DVD absolutely free!

Your free DVD comes with a free Teacher’s Guide and activities for grades 3-12 that are fun, innovative, and meet national science standards. (Preview the guide at the website.)

The DVD is narrated by actress Whoopi Goldberg who takes you on a virtual trip through time and space. “Best of all, the show is dead-on accurate. Visuals depict stars using real data from NASA spacecraft and the finest theoretical models modern science has to offer.” You can even watch a YouTube video about the true-life science in Journey to the Stars.

When you get to the website you’ll see an introduction and information about Journey to the Stars. Read the information and click on “The journey begins here” near the bottom of the page to request your free copy of the DVD. Or simply click HERE to order your DVD now.

Don’t miss this opportunity!

Enjoy!
Contributed by: Diane Flynn Keith, ©Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved. Diane Flynn Keith publishes the rave-reviewed ClickSchooling® daily ezine with 12,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your homeschooling, save time and money, and have more fun learning with your children, get your FREE subscription to ClickSchooling® now at http://www.homefires.com/free.asp.

Check out the NASA site for more details.

Homeschool Outdoor Education

walcamp logo
Walcamp is a year-round outdoor ministry offering facilities and a variety of programs for youth and families, churches and other groups. Walcamp is located on 180 acres of forest and open fields on the Kishwaukee River in Kingston, IL, about 70 miles west of Chicago and 15 miles north of DeKalb, IL

They offer outdoor education classes geared especially for homeschoolers, and have one coming up in May.

Here is the info from Walcamp’s website:

Aquatic Antics
May 20, 2010 – 1:00pm -5:00pm

Ever wonder what life adventures take place under water? Prepare to get wet when you join Walcamp’s aquatic life for a day of creek stomping, amphibian searching, canoeing, and more as you discover many wonders of God’s creation.

The cost is $10 per participant and siblings under 5 are free. They encourage parents to participate as well. Participants should come prepared for water — towels, dry clothes, water shoes, and no flip-flops.

To register your students and family for a Homeschool Days event, please call 815.784.5141 or email Debra, registrar@walcamp.org at least 2 weeks before the event date.
If you are interested, you can also set up your own group activity by contacting Ben at 815.784.5141 or emailing media@walcamp.org.

Chemistry classes

The following information was received from Trinity International University:

The Chemistry and Education departments of Trinity International University are pleased to be able to invite your student to participate in a unique laboratory program designed to help your son or daughter learn about God’s work through direct investigation and experimentation.Your student will learn about the connections between faith and science; learn about the how to keep a laboratory notebook; how to change the properties of soap; investigate the properties of polymers; work in a college chemistry laboratory to make cold cream, liquid hand soap, rubber bands, window cleaner and more.

If your student is currently in grades 9 through 12, has an interest in science, and can successfully follow both written and oral directions, this program is for him/her! We will be running five classes; meeting (May 24, 26, 28, and June 2, 4) from 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. in Trinity’s chemistry laboratory. The cost for the program is $120, which is all-inclusive (There is an additional charge for any breakage).

A staff of experienced instructors will provide close supervision. Instructors will emphasize laboratory safety while communicating fundamental concepts in Chemistry and encouraging students to use their reasoning skills.

If your son or daughter is interested in participating in this program, we need to hear from you now! Space is limited! We need to know of your interest by April 15 in order to provide adequate staffing and materials. Additionally, any student who registers and pays in full by April 15 will receive a $10 discount for early payment! Parents can contact Joan Leifel at 847-548-0336 with their questions or to register. A $50 non-refundable registration fee is needed to hold a place. Space will be filled on a first- come, first-served basis. Checks should be made out to Trinity International University.

Upon receipt of your registration, we will contact you with additional information.

Dr. Dori Karlesky
Chemistry
847-317-7168
ckarlesk@tiu.edu

Ms. Nadeen Rust
Education
847-317-7179
nrust@tiu.edu

Ms. Joan Leifel
Program Registrar
847-548-0336

We are excited about this unique opportunity and look forward to a valuable experience together!

Get outside!

The weather these next few days looks to be absolutely gorgeous, so I shouldn’t have to encourage you twice to get out with your kids! Wherever you live around the Chicago area, find a new forest preserve, a nature trail, or even just a playground and enjoy. This time of year it can still be hit or miss, so grab it while you can.

Beaver eaten tree

Today we enjoyed some time with my parents, sister, and nephew at Spring Valley in Schaumburg. Unfortunately the historical farm and log cabin will not be open until next week, but we still soaked in the sunshine on the beautiful walking trails and spent some time in the nature center there. We checked out the bat boxes, the observation deck, the calves, turtles, ducks, trees chopped down by a beaver, wasp nests, and so much more. It is amazing what kids will find and what will fascinate them when you just get out and walk.

Need ideas? Be sure to check out the field trip listings for other local ideas. Maybe you have already seen all the stuff really close to your house, so try somewhere a little further away. One of the great advantages to living in this great metropolis is all that we have within an hour’s drive. Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village, Independence Grove in Libertyville (check before going, sometimes they charge an admission per vehicle), Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook, Millenium Park in Chicago, Bartlett Nature Center at the James “Pate” Philip State Park in Bartlett, Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington,  and on and on. I would guess there is somewhere that you have not explored with your kids.

Lots of nature centers have activity backpacks that you can check out, and the volunteers that often staff the desks are happy to help make the most of your experience. At Spring Valley you can also rent binoculars, so you never know what might be available if you just ask.

Not a big nature enthusiast?

New to the whole idea of nature study? Make a game of it . . .

– See who can find the most birds, maybe even check out a bird field guide from the library and try to identify a bird that is new to you.

– Make a bingo board with nature items and see who can get bingo first.

– Maybe you have a budding artist, bring sketch pads and find a spot to sit and draw. Some homeschoolers love to do this each week (check out Harmony Art Mom’s Sketch Tuesday for inspiration here)

– Even just bring a book and do your silent or oral reading outside. I love the flexibility of homeschooling. We often take our afternoon classes outdoors to mix a little business with pleasure.

If you want some web based help and ideas to make the most of your outing you might enjoy these sites:

– Charlotte Mason was really big on nature study, and this page has a great summary of her thoughts on nature study.

– More thoughts based on Charlotte Mason‘s philosophies of nature study including how to start in your backyard, putting together a notebook, and getting the most of a hike.

– Connecting with Nature also offers lots of great ideas starting right in your own backyard and building your nature studies from there.

– Put together an outdoor treasure hunt. This would be a great activity for just your family or even to invite a few friends along with.

Wherever you go, however you plan to enjoy it, don’t put it off. Just do it! Get out there and soak up this spring weather.

Any other ideas for getting started on nature walks or making the most of your time out of doors?

Astronaut to speak at Waubonsee

From the Waubonsee Community College site:

Former Astronaut to Speak March 27
Sugar Grove – Former astronaut Captain Jon McBride will present “To Outer Space and Back” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, in the Auditorium at Waubonsee Community College’s Sugar Grove Campus, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive. The event is free but reservations are requested. To reserve your spot, please call the college’s Community Education department at (630) 466-7900, ext. 2360.

McBride will discuss his life as an astronaut and experience as the pilot for Shuttle Mission STS-41G in October 1984. STS-41G marked the 13th flight of a space shuttle and the sixth flight of Challenger. It was the first shuttle mission to carry seven crewmembers and to have an IMAX camera on board. Film from the mission appeared in the movie “The Dream is Alive.”

Science activities in Rockford next week

Mike Riddle, an Answers in Genesis speaker, will be in Rockford, IL at Maywood Free Church on March 27-29.

On March 28th and 29th he will be speaking for an Answers in Genesis conference.  Here is the schedule for this event:

Sunday, March 28, 2010
8 a.m. Mike Riddle Do You Have a Biblical Worldview?
10:30 a.m. Mike Riddle Do You Have a Biblical Worldview?
6 p.m. Mike Riddle Apologetics 101: Answering the Challenges
7:30 p.m. Mike Riddle 4 Power Questions to Ask an Evolutionist
Monday, March 29, 2010
6:30 p.m. Mike Riddle Apologetics 201: Answering More Challenges
8 p.m. Mike Riddle Cloning, Stem Cells and the Value of Life

image 1

And Jay Wile will be speaking in Rockford on Friday the 26th and then participating in the Northern Illinois Regional Science Fair on Saturday the 27th.  Check out the Illinois Regional Science Fair site for more information.   He will be speaking at 7:00 about homeschooling high school science.

Field Trip Opportunities at the Old Town School of Folk Music

Thanks to Kate for sending information about this upcoming field trip opportunity:

Thursday April 22, 2010 | 10:30am

Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall :: 4544 N Lincoln Ave.

Ricky Recycle — a 45 minute show about all things recycling.

Tickets: Call 773-728-6000

Admission: $5 (Free chaperon ticket with every 10 kids, and additional discount for groups of 100)

Ages: Grades K-5 | For Reservations: 773.728.6000

Earth day is upon us. Expert recycler and 20 year veteran children’s performer Ricky Recycle encourages kids to laugh, scream and sing along with his simple yet infectious round, “I like to recycle… I like to recycle… I like to recycle.” This interactive, high energy program teaches how to reduce waste, the dos and don’ts or recycling, all about garbage dumps and landfills, preserving natural resources and how to be respectful and responsible towards our mother earth

RickyRecycle.com

Check Old Town’s website for more information and a number of other field trip opportunities. Check out their Field Trip series of shows that take place at 10:30 on different days each week. They offer various topics and appeal to various age ranges. Definitely something for everyone!

Live Feed of Owl’s Nest

Barn Owl

Reader Helen passed along this great comment and link to share:

I’ve been enjoying this live feed of a barn owl who is incubating five eggs; an owlet is due to hatch any day now!

The website there has this information:
This is a live feed of a wild female barn owl named Molly. The owl box is located 15 feet off the ground. Expecting owlets mid March. The male(McGee) has a white chest and face. He usually shows up after dark but has spent an entire day with the female.  For more Information about Barn Owls, Click Here.  We hope you enjoy the cams.  One egg broke.
Egg 1 2/13/10 12:15 PM Est. Hatch 3/14-17th
Egg 2 2/16/10 07:23 AM Est. Hatch 3/16-20th
Egg 3 2/18/10 09:13 AM Est. Hatch 3/18-22nd
Egg 4 2/20/10 11:07 AM Est. Hatch 3/20-24th


Egg 5 2/22/10 02:00 PM Est. Hatch 3/22-26th
Egg 6 2/25/10 09:35 AM Est. Hatch 3/25-29th
Enjoy this simple nature study from the comfort of your own home!
~Thank you, Helen!

Fermi lab open house coming next month

This is open to all families, but registration is required. Feel free to see their website for more information:

Fermilab Family Open House

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2009 Open House such a great success, by helping, getting the word out, or attending! The 2010 Open House will be held on Sunday, February 21 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.

Every year we have the Fermilab Family Open House.

Register for the Open House (no charge)

This is a party for children who bring an adult with them to learn about the world of physics. (There’s plenty for the grown-ups, too.)

A tentative schedule of events includes:

The Open House will be most appropriate for children in grades 3 and up (tours restricted to adults and children age 10 and up). The event is free, but registration is required. Be sure to sign up for tours. You should pick up the tickets for the tours in the atrium on the day of the event.

Look at pictures from the 2007 (pdf) and 2008 Open Houses.

Fermilab Education Office

Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center

Last week we enjoyed a fun outing with my parents to Fullersburg Nature Center. We ended up there during a preschool story time, in which my kids made up most of the audience, but they learned some new information about beavers and other animals native to that preserve.

The nature center has a variety of animals for viewing, stuffed and living, a partial woolly mammoth skeleton from nearby Blackwell, puppets and books, loads of information on the creatures of the area, and lots that kids can get their hands on. A popular display had about a 2 1/2 foot square wooden box with silly putty type substance covering the bottom. Stored along the sides the kids could find prints of various animal tracks that they could then press into the putty to make their own animal tracks. Cards hanging next to the display helped them figure out which animal they had and a bit about the animal as well.

My kids also enjoyed the giant bird nest they could climb into and pretend to welcome mama bird home. Puppets and books help create a fun environment for kids in the cozy nest.

My mom brought a simple craft project that also involved animals and fine motor skills — weaving. She always has surprises tucked away, like this one from Oriental Trading Company,  for times like that. Simple, and yet it tied in nicely with all they saw and learned that day.

After some time inside, we headed down the trail to the Graue Mill. Although closed for winter, we had a quick walk around outside and watched the ducks in Salt Creek nearby. It will not open again until mid-April. You can get those Museum Adventure passes for some free admission at that time.

After our fun day there, I found on their website that they offer other educational resources. The center offers field-trips which would be a great option for your homeschool group. Fullersburg Woods also offers educational loan boxes. Their website says, “Each box includes reference information, lessons and activity outlines, and natural objects for display and for use with activities.”

Even as the winter weather sets in, as long as you dress for it, a hike outdoors can do wonders for bringing a special refreshment to your day, and you never know what you might spy along the way.

Be sure to check out the detailed Field Trip listing on our site when you search for more ideas to add some sparkle to your school day.