Snap Circuits Green Alternative Energy kit from Elenco has over 100 activities for exploring electric circuits and how to produce power from renewable sources. The Snap Circuits concept is such a great one for introducing circuits to children. Instead of wires, alligator clips, and battery holders, or breadboards, the Snap Circuit kits come with a…
Education
Why can’t school be more like summer camp?By approaching lessons and units with the perspective of camp counselors, you can inject the wonder and motivation that so often disappears in our testing-crazy times. Tutu is a name for a grandparent in Hawaii. When our grandsons come to spend time with us, we say they are at Camp Tutu! Welcome to Camp Tutu, my way of energizing science lessons!
9 bubble activities for kids with experiments
Bubble activities are fun and motivating for children. The way bubbles float in the air seems magical and they are so pretty. Popping them is fun too! It’s easy to make shapes for wands and make bubble solution with simple items. Safety note: Be sure to explain safety precautions to children. These experiments use soap. Eye protection…
Drinking bird – heat energy STEM activity
The drinking bird is a happy little party toy that has been around since the 1920s. The cute bird has a glass body, a felt head, and a top hat. The mysterious ability to drink water from a cup over and over again has an explanation using chemistry and physics! Safety note: Be sure to…
Nitinol memory wire experiment for kids
Nitinol memory wire is metal that remembers its original shape when heated (alloy of nickel & titanium). Experimenting with nitinol memory wire is fun like a magic trick, but it demonstrates physical principles of thermal energy and elasticity. Safety note: Be sure to explain safety precautions to children. This experiment uses hot water. Eye and skin…
Learn to solder – build a circuit kit – STEM skills
Learn to solder to be able to build electric circuit projects. With adult supervision, this project can be successfully done by sixth graders and up. Modern electronics involve printed circuit boards and components such as LEDs, resistors, and capacitors. Solder is a soft metal alloy that is melted to make joints to connect metal pieces….