September 23, 2016
By Ken Byrne
Someone once told me that all magic is science, and all science is magic. To me, a magic show is a series of puzzles for me to solve, trying to figure out just how they pulled off an illusion. My favorite science demonstrations are much the same. I love those demonstrations that make me scratch my head and ask, “Why?”
Here is one of my favorites that is easy and inexpensive. It feels like a magic trick, but it is all science. It simply involves rolling a cylinder down an inclined plane. Sometimes the cylinder will roll down quickly. Other times it will crawl down slowly. Read the rest of this entry »
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Chemistry, College level, density, Elementary level, experiments, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: density, discrepant event, DIY, Educational Innovations, experiments, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, STEM | 
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
September 9, 2016
Back to School with Discrepant Event Science!
by Mike Matthews
After a restful summer (which included a move to a new school!), classes are finally back in session! I always begin the year with a set of activities that challenge students to practice science process skills (observing, recording data, asking questions, etc.). My approach includes a series of quick “discrepant event” demos that captivate (and baffle) my students. From trying to figure out why two ice cubes melt at dramatically different rates to brainstorming explanations for how a sealed opaque balloon suddenly starts self-inflating, these demos engage students, assess their science skills, and emphasize the processes and habits that scientists use to inquire about the world around them.
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1 Comment | College level, Elementary level, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: discrepant event, Educational Innovations, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, STEM, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
August 15, 2016
Whenever we attend a science convention, we bring plenty of density demos. They are invariably among our best showstoppers! There is something wonderfully confounding—and compelling—about watching a (seemingly) heavy object float against our expectations, or seeing (seemingly) identical beads travel in separate directions. This curiosity is the heart of why discrepant events are so valuable to educators.
Is it magic? No, it’s density!
Is your favorite Educational Innovations‘ density product on this list? If not, write to us in the comments below and let us know what we forgot!
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Leave a Comment » | Chemistry, College level, density, Elementary level, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: density, discrepant event, DIY, Educational Innovations, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
August 15, 2016
There are so many great density lessons to choose from, we couldn’t decide! So we’re offering two lessons here—both of them easy to implement in your classroom and sure to spark a discussion on why things sink (or float). Density, here we come!
Click on the image below for a full-size, printable PDF. Enjoy!
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Leave a Comment » | Chemistry, College level, density, Elementary level, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: density, discrepant event, DIY, Educational Innovations, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
August 12, 2016
By Nancy Foote
When a little kid comes up to you and asks you do science, it’s hard to say no. But when you’re a science teacher, and that little kid is your granddaughter, you know you have to come up with something fast.
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Leave a Comment » | Biology, electricity, Elementary level, energy, experiments, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: DIY, Educational Innovations, electricity, energy, fun experiments, green science, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, science fair project, STEM, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
