by Nancy Foote
It’s always fun to put a new item on the curiosity table to see how my students will react. The newest addition was Arctic Flare UV Sensitive Putty, a gift from our friends at Educational Innovations.
UV Sensitive Putty: Wonder and Curiosity in a Can
November 25, 2016
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Chemistry, College level, Elementary level, experiments, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: blacklights, Educational Innovations, energy, experiments, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, light, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, ultraviolet, variables | 
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
Teaching Electric Circuitry with the Electri-Putty Kit
November 11, 2016
My Electrical Secret
by Linda Dunnavant
I have a dirty little secret. As a teacher, I have been asked to teach concepts that I don’t personally understand very well. Electricity is one of those topics for me.
When I was a new teacher, I remember standing in front of a class of fifth graders and attempting to explain how circuits work. Not only did I confuse my students with my explanation, I think I also confused myself! I remember feeling embarrassed about my lack of understanding when it came to the topic of electricity, and like my students, I could have benefited from a hands-on approach to learning about electric circuitry.
Leave a Comment » | College level, electricity, Elementary level, experiments, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: DIY, Educational Innovations, electricity, experiments, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, science fair project, STEM, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
An Introduction to the Plasma Globe
November 3, 2016
by Donna Giachetti
I have the great fortune of working for a company that inspires—indeed, requires—me to learn something new every day. I’m constantly scouring online science journals for tidbits on the latest in nanotechnology, the wonders of electrochemistry, or even something as relatively simple as the ultraviolet spectrum.
I’m not claiming I always understand everything I learn… but I try my best. (Hey, I was an English major in college, so I’m not as scientifically inclined as most of my colleagues.) Luckily, I can count on my trusty coworkers to help me out.
3 Comments | College level, electricity, Elementary level, energy, experiments, High School level, Middle School level, Physics | Tagged: Educational Innovations, electricity, experiments, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, Physics, physics demonstration apparatus, science, STEM | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
The Plasma Globe, Inside and Out
November 3, 2016
by Ted Beyer
Nikola Tesla. Amazing guy. He came up with a huge number of inventions, but outside the scientific community he is largely overshadowed by his better known contemporary, Thomas Edison. Tesla developed a stream of innovations that we use every day—things like AC power, fluorescent lighting, on and on.
What you might not know is that Tesla, when working on electric light in February of 1894, came up with the concept for what we now call the Plasma Globe.
8 Comments | College level, electricity, energy, High School level, Middle School level, Physics | Tagged: Educational Innovations, electricity, energy, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, Physics, physics demonstration apparatus, science, STEM | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti