This Week’s Fun Stuff October 27, 2009

This last Saturday, I took the kids to the Old Mormon Fort for a history program they offer every month.  It was so cool.  This month, they learned about mining, especially here in Nevada.  They even got to do some “mining” of their own by looking for “gold,” “silver,” and “copper” in birdseed.  We had to search through the birdseed for tiny beads that represented the different metals.  They did a great job.  They also learned a bit about abandoned mines throughout the state and how important it is to stay away from them!  The class was put on by geologist Bill Durbin from the State of Nevada, Division of Minerals.  I also found out they will be putting on a workshop about teaching about minerals and earth science in March and April of 2010.  I’m hoping to be able to attend that.

    

Then, on Monday, we went to a Nevada Virtual Academy sponsored Fall Festival.  The kids had a great time.  They dressed up in their costumes (and got me to dress up as well).  When we got there, they had a ton of games and activities for the kids to do (and a ton of candy to go with them).  It was great for the kids to socialize and have so much fun!            

                                                           

Science gone wrong… May 29, 2009

Gavin has been learning about plants and what they need to grow and be healthy.  So, we did a little science experiment, which was designed to show him that without sun and water and air seeds can’t grow.  We planted seeds in plastic cups, poked holes in the bottom, and placed the cups in a couple places around the house.  One had water added to it, and was placed under the sink (in a dark place).  One had no water added to it, and was placed on a sunny windowsill.  And the last one had water added to it and was placed on the same sunny windowsill.  It was suppose to work out that the one with water and sun would grow well, while the other two didn’t.  Yeah, it didn’t work that way.  The one with no water didn’t grow, of course, but neither did the one with water and sun.  But, the one in the dark under-the-sink cabinet grew and grew and grew.  So much for that lesson.  It was interesting, though, and I had to laugh.