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 »


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.
Read the rest of this entry »


UV Light in the News


Ultraviolet light is everywhere!  Every month, science makes new discoveries based on UV rays.  We’re still learning how our eyesight works, what UV light can do to our skin, how UV radiation varies from planet to planet… and much more.

This selection of noteworthy articles is bound to “brighten” any classroom discussion on light and the UV light spectrum.  Read on! Read the rest of this entry »


Are You Ready for Springtime Science?


Priscilla Robinson, Educational Innovationsby:  Priscilla Robinson

The bright days of spring can be a great kick off opportunity for seed planting and other fun activities that will keep students engaged in purposeful learning right up to the end of the school year.  Educational Innovations has plenty of hands-on products that fit right in with springtime scientific activities. It is not too late to germinate your students’ curiosity with planting seeds, feeding your local flock of feathered friends or playing with shadows. Get up and enjoy the warming weather!

Read the rest of this entry »


Desperately Seeking Goldenrod Paper


Donna Giachetti, Educational Innovationsby: Donna Giachetti

 In a February 2014 blog post we said goodbye to the last of our goldenrod paper supply, a beloved staple in many science teachers’ classrooms.

Read the rest of this entry »