UV Radiation Activity

March 25, 2013

Tami O'Connor, Educational Innovationsby: Tami O’Connor

The sun is our primary source of ultraviolet radiation, however, there are a number of artificial sources of UV light including black lights, tanning beds and mercury vapor lamps. Ultraviolet radiation is usually considered to be a bad thing for very good reasons.

Generally speaking, there are three types of UV radiation here on Earth: UVA, UVB and UVC. Though the most destructive, UVC is almost never seen in nature because the earth’s atmosphere absorbs all of it. Though less destructive, overexposure to UVB can lead to all kinds of maladies including sunburn, some forms of skin cancer and cataracts. Read the rest of this entry »

1 Comment | Biology, Earth Science, Elementary level, energy, experiments, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Tami O'Connor

Fossil Dig

June 26, 2012

Norm Barstow, Educational Innovationsby:  Norman Barstow

Simulated Fossil Dig

Archeology is the study of society through the discovery, recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that humans have left behind. The data can include artifacts, architecture, and cultural landscapes.

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Leave a Comment » | Earth Science, Elementary level, Middle School level | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Tami O'Connor

Dinosaur Mania! Digging Fossils

May 6, 2012

by: Michelle Bertke

Both the young and old have a special fascination with dinosaurs.  From the small Nemicolopterus to the larger Sauroposeidon, dinosaurs were magnificent and majestic creatures.  This is a topic students want to learn and adults want to teach.  Luckily, there are many at-home experiments and activities that parents can do to foster their children’s love for dinosaurs.

Impression Fossils

Impression fossils are one way that animals and plants, which are long since gone from this world, leave their mark.  One easy way to show how imprint fossils are formed is with play dough and plastic creatures.  Students can use the play dough (which is easily homemade) as a medium in which to press the plastic creatures.  This will leave an impression with a certain amount of detail.  Have the students compare the fossil imprint with their creature or mix up the imprints and play a matching game.  Use this activity to illustrate what can be determined from an imprint fossil (size or texture) and what cannot be determined (color).

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Leave a Comment » | Earth Science, Elementary level | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Tami O'Connor

The Chemical Spill and the River

May 4, 2012

Brian Herrinby: Brian Herrin

One of the difficulties of modeling a flowing water system is the size of the system and the quickness of the flow.  This often makes demonstrations hard to visualize as things happen so quickly.  The model I designed uses large transparent plastic cups and clear tubing that connects them to easily demonstrate how a river can become contaminated by a toxic spill or dump and how the toxic material slowly works its way downstream creating devastation along the way.  In time, the river will eventually run clean, but the damage takes much longer to disappear, and some damage may be permanent.

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1 Comment | Biology, Earth Science, Elementary level, experiments, Middle School level | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Tami O'Connor

101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science

November 26, 2011

Dia Michelsby:  Dia Michels

Science affects everything—yet so many of us wish we understood it better. Using an accessible question-and-answer format, 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science expands every reader’s knowledge. Key concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, earth, and general science are explored and demystified by an award-winning science writer and a seasoned educational trainer. Endorsed by science organizations and educators, this book is perfect for kids, grown-ups, and anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of how science impacts everyday life.  101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science, written by Dia Michels and Nathan Levy is offered by Educational Innovations for $9.95.

Sample Questions from 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science!

1.  Name some characteristics of all mammals
2.  Name three of the bodily fluids
3.  What are the three states of water?
4.  What mineral is found in a saline solution?
5.  What do we use calories to measure?
6.  What happens over time when iron is exposed to oxygen?
7.  At the same pressure, which is more dense—hot air or cold air?
8.  How does a semiconductor work?
9.  Each year, Earth revolves once around what?

  • the Sun
  • the Moon
  • its axis
  • the Milky Way

10.  What are the four major directions? In which direction does the needle of a compass point?
11.  The continental divide separates:

  • which animals are nocturnal and which are diurnal.
  • the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere.
  • the direction water travels to the sea.
  • where it rains from where it snows.

12.  Why is it colder an hour after sunrise than it is at sunrise itself?
13.  What is a hypothesis?
14.  What is the goal of a double-blind, placebo controlled study?
15.  How can you use a lemon to light a light bulb?
 

Answers:

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8 Comments | Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Elementary level, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Tami O'Connor

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