June 10, 2016
By Dr. Kenneth Lyle, Duke University, Durham NC and Elaine “Lainey” Williams
Thermoplastic Polymers for All!
When thermoplastic polymer became available a couple of years ago, we purchased a bottle to see if it would be a viable addition to our chemistry outreach program. Since then, literally hundreds of people, young and old, have experienced molding the thermoplastic, taking their creations home in Zip-loc® bags.
And now, with the availability of dyes, a whole new world of creative design has opened up. The molding of a thermoplastic activity has been incorporated into our “Polymers” and “Chemistry of Crafts” hands-on outreach presentations, and has been used as a stand-alone station.
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Chemistry, College level, Elementary level, experiments, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: DIY, Educational Innovations, experiments, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, science fair project, variables | 
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
April 19, 2016
Wind power… solar power… hydropower… power from biomass… There’s so much to say about these renewable energy sources and their growing importance in our lives. Time spent teaching young minds about green science is invaluable—we are helping them to understand and participate in their own futures as inhabitants of our planet!
Even the smallest scientists will understand that the sun and wind can be made to “do work” and produce energy. This topic is so much fun to explore, we hope you’ll share your own favorite discussion starters with us in the comments below!
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Leave a Comment » | College level, Earth Science, electricity, Elementary level, energy, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: DIY, Educational Innovations, electricity, energy, experiments, fun experiments, green energy, green science, hands-on activity, homeschool, hydropower, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, STEM, thermal energy | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
April 19, 2016
Hands-on lessons make learning more interesting and engaging. We found a delightful green science lesson that enables kids to look at green energy in a new way. Not only can your students quantify the work that wind can do… they’ll design their own windmills using paper, string, some clips and a cup.
And who doesn’t love a windmill?
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Leave a Comment » | College level, Earth Science, Elementary level, energy, High School level, Middle School level, Physics | Tagged: DIY, Educational Innovations, energy, experiments, fun experiments, green energy, green science, hands-on activity, homeschool, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, science fair project, STEM | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
March 4, 2016
by Ted Beyer
We love our customers, and not just because they help keep the lights on! Educational Innovations’ customers share amazing things with us all the time. In fact, some of our best products have been created as a result of our customers’ discoveries, suggestions, or requests.
Recently, we received a comment on our website regarding our color-changing goldenrod paper. It prompted us to try a brand-new experiment that we think you’ll enjoy.
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2 Comments | Chemistry, College level, Elementary level, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: awesome science experiment, DIY, Educational Innovations, electricity, experiments, fun experiments, goldenrod paper, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, science fair project | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
February 23, 2016
Educational Innovations’ President and CEO, Tami O’Connor, spent many years as a science teacher in elementary and middle school classrooms conducting air pressure science activities.
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She was also a professional airline pilot, so you can be sure she knows a few things about air pressure!
One of her favorite air pressure activities at school was the Do-It-Yourself Gyrocopter. You can download her lesson (complete with template) by clicking on the image below.
Leave a Comment » | College level, Earth Science, Elementary level, experiments, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: air pressure, Educational Innovations, fun experiments, hands-on activity, hands-on science, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
