Winter Science in the News


Here in our headquarters in Bethel, Connecticut, when we think of winter, we inevitably think of snow and teeth-chattering cold.  But winter is also the perfect time to stay indoors and catch up on your reading.

If you come upon an interesting science news article, please share it with us in the comments below.

Let’s look at some winter science in the news!

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Chromatography with Autumn Leaves


Linda Dunnavantby: Linda Dunnavant

Experimenting with Fall Leaves

Autumn is here! Football season, sweater weather, hay rides, pumpkin spice lattes… I could go on and on, but I think we can all agree that the leaves changing colors is the main signal that fall is upon us. This is a magical time of year, and students will love this engaging, hands-on lesson that is appropriate for elementary and middle school students.  Let’s start with some background. Read the rest of this entry »


Food Fun in the Science Classroom


Linda Dunnavantby: Linda Dunnavant

Making Science Fun… with Food!

There’s nothing like food to get students engaged in a lesson.  Even the coolest of oh-so-cool middle schoolers will be putty in your hands after you tell them they’re going to have a chance to eat and learn at the same time.  Food can be incorporated into the science classroom in countless ways.  As long as it relates to your curriculum, the sky is the limit!

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Why Is a Drinking Bird Like a Dog on a Hot Day?


Ted Beyer, Educational InnovationsBy:  Ted Beyer

Summertime—sun and fun!  For most of us (in the northern hemisphere at least) that means hot weather.  Heat does interesting things to the world around us, and to us as well.  On a hot day you tend to perspire.  Your body does this for a good reason:  as the moisture evaporates, it cools your skin, and thus helps to regulate your body temperature.

In contrast, dogs don’t perspire—they don’t have sweat glands!  So on a hot day you will see dogs panting—lots of rapid, shallow breaths with their tongues looking bigger than usual hanging out of their mouths.  That’s the doggie way of cooling off.  They are moving air over a wet surface—again using evaporation to lower their body temperature.
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UV Discussion Starters


Discussion Starters - Educational Innovations NewsletterTeaching about ultraviolet light is always fun.  Read on for ideas you’ll want to try in your classroom.  We have compiled in-class activities, discussion ideas and do-it-yourself projects that will have your students GLOWING with excitement as they explore the hidden world of UV light.

Let us know how these ideas worked!  If you have a favorite lesson or activity on ultraviolet light, please share it with us in the comments below.

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