Tag: science

K’Nex contest for classrooms

Check out this great opportunity for creative, hand-on learning and a fun contest!

Please follow links for more detailed information and to register.

2010 K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge

Register for the 2010 K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge!

K’NEX in the ClassroomK'NEX Education Classroom Challenge
K’NEX is a dynamic, open-ended spatial building system. We offer exceptional educational value through building and bringing models to life. K’NEX sets work so well in the classroom that we’ve designed an entire contest around them: the K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge.

The K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge…

  • Helps young children build manipulative skills.
  • Challenges students to use science, math and technology knowledge and skills.
  • Encourages students to apply an organized, logical strategy as they design, build and problem-solve.

    • Don’t Miss Out! Registration Deadline is December 18th, 2009
    Register to for the 2010 K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge!

    Fun Educational Prizes…K'NEX Education Classroom Challenge
    Each 2010 K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge Award Winner will receive:

  • $350 K’NEX Education gift certificate
  • 1 FREE K’NEX building set for each child.
  • K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge Sign.
  • Classroom Photo Gallery page at www.knexeducation.com.

    • 5 Easy Steps to Enter…
    Step 1: Teachers must register by 12/18/09 to be eligible to enter the Challenge. If you will be entering more than 1 class in the challenge, please register each class separately. Register now.

    Step 2: Students build an original K’NEX model that qualifies in the appropriate Building Challenge Category listed below and write the corresponding 1-page description:

  • Grades 1-2: Transportation Nation
  • Grades 3-4: Bridge Building 101
  • Grades 5-6: Amusement Park Thrill Rides

    • Step 3: Take pictures of your classroom’s K’NEX model

    Step 4: Print out and complete the entry form and have it signed by an authorized school official.

    Step 5: Send pictures of the model, the required 1-page written description and the completed, signed entry form to: 2010 K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge, K’NEX Industries, P.O. Box 700, Hatfield, PA 19440.

    Deadline for entries is February 12th, 2010 (entries must be postmarked by this date).
    Read the Official Rules and Entry Form for full details. All entries and submitted materials become the property of K’NEX.
    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY!

    Homeschool classes at the Discovery Center Museum

    Discovery Center Museum
    711 North Main Street
    Rockford, Illinois 61103
    (815) 963-6769

    The Discovery Center Museum is offering special homeschool classes on Wednesdays this fall. These are geared toward a variety of ages and have an extra fee in addition to the regular admission rate.

    See How We See I

    Grab a scalpel — we’re dissecting animal eyes to see how we see. Examine lenses, make a camera obscura, find your blind spot, and more! Not for the squeamish.

    Wednesday, October 7
    Session 1: ages 6-7; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
    Session 2: ages 8-9; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
    Session 3: ages 10 & up; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
    Session 4: ages 6 & up 3:30-5:00;

    See How We See II

    Take your vision to task and find out what makes colorful colors. Explore persistence of vision, negative after images, and the inner workings of the human eye.

    Wednesday, November 4
    Session 1: ages 6-7; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
    Session 2: ages 8-9; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
    Session 3: ages 10 & up; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
    Session 4: ages 6 & up 3:30-5:00;

    See How We See III

    “Scope” out reflection as you make a working periscope, design a kaleidoscope, and use mirrors to play laser tag.

    Wednesday, December 9
    Session 1: ages 6-7; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
    Session 2: ages 8-9; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
    Session 3: ages 10 & up; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
    Session 4: ages 6 & up 3:30-5:00
    Contact the museum for more information or for mail in registration forms. Registration is either by phone or mail.

    Labfest Grande Finale

    Science Chicago’s LabFest! Triggers Reaction in Millennium Park

    Blowout celebration offers hands-on science excitement in the heart of downtown Chicago

    CHICAGO [July 28, 2009] – Science Chicago’s traveling LabFest! science festival is set to go out with a bang in downtown Chicago’s Millennium Park on Friday, August 21. After more than a dozen stops at CPS schools, local parks and libraries throughout Chicagoland, this finale event promises even more science discovery for Chicagoans and visitors of all ages in one dynamic and fun-filled summer day.

    LabFest! in Millennium Park will give kids and families the opportunity to explore the sciences from – astronomy to zoology – in an interactive, memorable and FREE way. The day offers numerous hands-on activities, craft projects and games such as “Pop Fly” with Nate Ball, host of the popular PBS television series, Design Squad, where participants will have the unique opportunity to brainstorm, design, build and test products that are used in everyday life. The new season of Design Squad will air locally on WTTW11 Sundays at 11:30 a.m. beginning October 11, 2009.

    “It’s all about making science and engineering accessible,” said Design Squad host, Nate Ball. “The Science Chicago initiative, just like the Design Squad TV show, features the importance of science and the design process in every aspect of our day-to-day lives – from riding a bike to recycling our garbage to making a call on a cell phone. LabFest! is an awesome opportunity to demonstrate the ideas that we share with our viewers every week. I’m even bringing one of the prototypes that our teenage cast invented on-screen!”

    Some of the other exciting LabFest! activities at Millennium Park include:

    • Build a 15-Foot Willis Tower out of LEGOS© – Work with architect Adam Reed Tucker to create a spectacular version of this Chicago landmark.
    • Building Windmills – Engineer a functioning windmill with young Malawian innovator William Kamkwamba and author of the upcoming book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.
    • Beakman’s World – See a show by Paul Zaloom, award-winning performance artist and host of the Sony Pictures science television show, Beakman’s World.
    • Bubbleology 101 – Don’t just blow bubbles, discover the science of bubbles and how the molecular nature of water causes a phenomenon called surface tension.
    • Alka-Seltzer Rockets – Create a rocket out of a film canister and an alka-seltzer tablet.
    • Space Robots – Learn about space exploration as you build and program your own LEGO space robot with experts from the NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy.
    • Solar Cars – Kids can design, build and race model solar cars while learning about renewable energy resources; then they can participate in one-on-one drag races.
    • Oobleck – Take off your shoes and learn about non-Newtonian liquids when you dash across a pool of cornstarch and water mixture which will allow you to “walk on water.”
    • I want to be a Vet! – Meet and talk to a veterinarian from the American Veterinary Medical Association and learn about animal health with the help of a real dog.

    The year-long Science Chicago initiative, considered to be the world’s largest science celebration, wraps up in August. Since the launch of the program in September 2008, more than 300,000 people have engaged with Science Chicago programs and online communities.

    “Science Chicago has been tremendously successful in building public enthusiasm for the sciences and positioning Chicago as leading city for cutting-edge science innovation,” said Cheryl Hughes, Executive Director of Science Chicago. “If you haven’t had a chance to experience a Science Chicago event, come to LabFest! at Millennium Park. It is a perfect culmination of this exciting year, as it celebrates the unique spirit of collaboration, hands-on learning and passion for science discovery that are the foundation of the Science Chicago initiative.”

    Science Chicago will continue to serve as a resource for science enthusiasts through social networks including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube. The public may also visit the www.sciencechicago.com Web site for additional information on local science events and programs.

    “It’s truly impressive that within the short span of one year, Science Chicago has inspired hundreds of thousands of Chicago residents of all ages to awaken their inner scientist and explore the many scientific resources of the region,” said David Mosena, President and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry and Vice Chair of the Science Chicago Board of Advisors. “The Museum of Science and Industry is proud to have led this unparalleled collaborative effort, and it is our hope that cities and organizations across the nation will look to Science Chicago as a model for the development of similar initiatives aimed at inspiring the next generation of American scientists.”

    Event Details:
    Date: Friday, August 21, 2009
    Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    Location: Millennium Park
    55 North Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60611

    For more information on LabFest! visit: http://www.sciencechicago.com/content/labfest-details?id=15
    LABFEST! IMAGES AVAILABLE: http://www.sciencechicago.com/content/press-room

    Argonne open house!

    Argonne Public Open House 2009

    Directions to Argonne
    Download Program of Events (PDF)

    Argonne is opening its gates to the community Saturday, Aug. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — rain or shine. Nearly 100 engaging exhibits, demonstrations, tours and presentations are being planned for a day of fun and education for the entire family.

    A program of attractions and events, including a map of the Argonne campus, will be available free at the Argonne gates and is downloadable here.

    Photos and videotaping are welcome.

    Come and enjoy our beautiful campus and learn more about exciting new research in:

    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Safety
    • Chemistry
    • Computing
    • Engineering
    • Biology
    • National security
    • Physics
    • Materials science and nanomaterials
    • X-ray science
    • Transportation
    • Nuclear energy

    Tours

    Tours include the Advanced Photon Source, the Western Hemisphere’s most brilliant source of X-rays for research; the Center for Nanoscale Materials; ATLAS, the Argonne Tandem-Linac Accelerator System; and the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator.

    Featured presentations:

    • To be announced.

    Directions

    Argonne is located just south of I-55 near Darien. Visitors to Argonne’s open house may enter through any of three gates:

    • Northgate Rd.  located off Cass Ave. immediately south of I-55. Take the Cass Ave. exit south from I-55.
    • Westgate Rd.  located off Lemont Rd. immediately south of I-55. Take the Lemont Rd. exit south from I-55.
    • Eastgate  located off Cass Ave. near Bluff Rd., about a mile and a half south of Northgate Rd. Take the Cass Ave. exit south from I-55.

    Shuttle service

    Free on-site shuttle service is available all day.

    Free all-day shuttle service to the open house is available for visitors who park in the Argonne Park, located on Cass Avenue, directly across from the Argonne campus and about a half-mile north of Bluff Road.

    Food service

    Food and beverages are available for purchase at Buildings 213 and 401. Snacks and refreshments may be purchased near Buildings 200 and 362.

    Information booths

    Information booths will be open all day near Buildings 203 and 362 to answer your questions about activities and services Information is also available from Argonne hosts wearing white baseball hats imprinted with “Argonne National Laboratory.”

    Downloadable E-book on Creation

    Came across this at Five J’s blog.

    If you are looking for some information to supplement your science lessons, or to stimulate your own thinking on the topic of Creation vs. Evolution here is what you can expect to find in these pages:

    This book describes Dr. Martin’s personal journey from an evolution-trained scientist to a Bible-believing creationist. Dr. Martin examines many of the claims and theories of prominent evolutionists, comparing their often incredible, inconsistent, pseudo-scientific explanations of origins to the clear and simple description of the Creation as depicted in the Bible.

    This book is available for a free ebook download, or for purchase of a paperback book.