By Roy Bentley and Ken Crawford
You’ve probably heard the expression, “A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.” That’s certainly true of Educational Innovations‘ Transparent Alternator Kit. It’s a hands-on kit that visually (and vividly) demonstrates how electricity is created—the single step that has launched humankind into the technological age! Show your students the start of this fascinating path and they will begin their own journey.
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College level, electricity, Elementary level, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: DIY, Educational Innovations, electricity, hands-on activity, hydropower, parent friendly, PBL, PhBL, PhenoBL, phenomenon based learning, science, science fair project, STEM | 
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
by Paul Reyna
Have you ever had a science activity or demonstration that you really liked to do with your students, but then were told you could not do it anymore—or it did not fit your curriculum?
That is exactly what happened to me a few years ago.
4 Comments | College level, Elementary level, energy, experiments, High School level, Middle School level, Physics | Tagged: acceleration, DIY, Educational Innovations, energy, experiments, fun experiments, green energy, hands-on activity, homeschool, kinetic energy, parent friendly, PBL, PhBL, PhenoBL, phenomenon based learning, science, science fair project, STEM, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
by Gabrielle Hodgins and Dr. Kenneth Lyle, Duke University, Durham NC
Demonstrating the magnetic ink used in printing US currency has proven to engage audiences of all ages because of its relevance to everyday life. Nearly everyone has used machines that distribute and/or accept currency but few understand how the machines distinguish between the various denominations. The key is in the face of each denomination. Magnetic ink is used in the printing of the currency. Each denomination has a different face and, therefore, a different magnetic signature. Similar to a bar code reader, the machines recognize the denomination by its magnetic signature. A strong magnet, such as a neodymium magnet, can be used to demonstrate the magnetic character of US currency.
Leave a Comment » | Chemistry, Elementary level, High School level, magnetism, Middle School level | Tagged: DIY, Educational Innovations, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, neodymium magnet, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, Physics, science, science fair project | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
Hydrophilic superabsorbent polymers are so much fun to use in the classroom. Young and older students alike love working with Growing Spheres that expand by more than 300 times their original size. And who doesn’t love an avalanche of Instant Snow?
We know that the best lessons are those that keep your students engaged in genuine, hands-on scientific exploration. We believe that students learn more when they’re having FUN… and that’s precisely what happens when you bring any hydrophilic material into your classroom.
2 Comments | Chemistry, College level, Elementary level, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: DIY, Educational Innovations, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, hydrophilic, instant snow, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, polymer, polymer crystals, science, science fair project, snow polymer, sodium polyacrylate, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
Your students may already be aware of some ways that hydrophilic polymers are used in our daily lives. For instance, Sodium Polyacrylate is an essential component of disposable diapers, and Growing Spheres are often used by florists as a soil-free way to store water and keep cut flowers fresh for a long time.
But what else can hydrophilic polymers do? The answer is, plenty!
Leave a Comment » | Chemistry, College level, Elementary level, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: Chemistry, DIY, Educational Innovations, experiments, fun experiments, green science, hands-on activity, homeschool, hydrophilic, instant snow, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, polymer, polymer crystals, science, snow polymer, sodium polyacrylate, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
