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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts: Pantry Chemistry Time

The latest Praxis Science Outreach column in the Medicine Hat News.

Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

January 21, 2023

Pantry Chemistry Time

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/01/21/science-smarts/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281689733934748.

It is time to get a little messy! Chemistry experiments are always fun to do as they often involve a colour change. Do not be afraid, this experiment is a bit longer, but trust me, well worth the effort. Not to mention, I absolutely love that we can find the materials right in our pantry — no unnecessary trips to the store to purchase anything extra.

Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Caution:Iodine is used in this experiment, which is poisonous. When doing this experiment, adults should be present to ensure the iodine is used correctly.

Materials

Potatoes

Tincture of iodine (poisonous

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts: Molten Lava

The latest Praxis Science Smarts column in the Medicine Hat News (January 14, 2023)

Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

January 14, 2023

Molten Lava

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/01/14/science-smarts-molten-lava/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281754158430279.

This week, I have a fun experiment that will make you wonder if you are really learning about science.

When I do this activity, I often think it looks like hot molten lava… and trust me; it is probably as hot as lava. It is a great activity to get the entire family involved on a cold winter day; just make sure you help out those younger scientists in the kitchen.

Let’s get started!

Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

Stove

White sugar

Corn syrup

White vinegar

Baking soda

Cooking spray

Measuring spoons

Measuring cups

Wooden spoon

Candy thermometer

Rimmed baking sheet

Saucepan

Procedure

Spray the rimmed…

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Sharing Diigo Links and Resources (weekly)

Another EducatorAl Blog

Check out these great posts from this past week:

Why Am I So Sensitive to Social Justice and Fairness Issues?
Do you become overwhelmed or enraged by life’s unfairness and attacks on social justice? You may be experiencing the impact of a little-known ADHD trait called justice sensitivity.
Learning to learn data science, part 1: Beginner’s mind
This is a reprint from a series of posts I’m currently doing on data science in teaching, over at Medium. Beginner’s mind is the concept of approaching life with fresh eyes and a clean slate and no pretension of expertise.
What! That is cool… Format Painter in Google Sheets – Teacher Tech
If you use Google Sheets this is a super easy tip that is a much have. Format Painter in Google Sheets is a useful tool that allows you to quickly apply formatting, such as font, color, and cell borders, to other…

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts: Why Wait For Spring?

The latest Praxis Science Outreach ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News.

Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

January 7, 2023

Why Wait For Spring?

he latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/01/07/science-smarts-why-wait-for-spring/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281711208743132.

I know many of you out there are getting a bit tired of seeing all of that white “stuff” on the ground. If you are like me, you are longing for the beautiful spring days to come so you can get back into your garden and see all the amazing plants grow and bloom. Unfortunately, that will not happen for a while, so I thought, with a little science we could bring some new growth inside.

Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

Small airtight glass jar (with a lid)

Small pebbles

Crushed up charcoal

Potting soil

Small slow growing plants (ferns, mosses)

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts: The Science Of Snowflakes

The latest Praxis Science Smarts column (December 31, 2022)

Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

December 31, 2022

The Science Of Snowflakes

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2022/12/31/science-smarts-the-science-of-snowflakes/ or via PressReader at https://pressreader.com/article/281676848991790.

I have enjoyed the little bursts of snow we have had over the past week. When I went for a walk earlier, it was absolutely beautiful outside — there was no wind and the snow was gently falling on me. As I looked down on my coat sleeve there was the most beautiful snowflake. I quickly went inside, but it melted before anyone could see it… the detail was amazing. This made me wonder if all snowflakes look like this?

Let’s get started!

Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

Black construction paper

Magnifying glass

Snow

Small ruler

Warm clothes for outside

Procedure

Place the construction…

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts: Wind Warning

The latest Praxis Science Smarts column in the Medicine Hat News –
Wind Warning.

Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

December 24, 2022

Wind Warning

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2022/12/24/science-smarts-wind-warning/ or via PressReader at https://pressreader.com/article/281646784208637.

I had several interesting conversations this week about the BONE CHILLING weather we have been experiencing this past week. One would think that we would be used to a little cold snap as we get it every year… Nonetheless, I thought this would be a great learning opportunity to truly understand how temperatures are reported and does wind really play into the temperatures we experience when outside in these frigid temperatures.

It can be confusing so let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

Small thermometer

Kettle

Water

Thermometer (digital are precise but not necessary)

Table or sturdy work surface

Science notebook and pencil

Measuring…

View original post 630 more words

Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts: Acids And Bases, With Cabbage

The latest Praxis Science Outreach Column in the Medicine Hat News (December 17).

Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

December 17, 2022

Acids And Bases, With Cabbage

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper or digital copy) or via PressReader at https://pressreader.com/article/281702618769222.

I have had a busy couple of weeks visiting schools and assisting students in preparations for their Science Fair projects. It is absolutely not too early to get started thinking about what you may want to do as the VIRTUAL Southeast Alberta Kiwanis Regional Science Fair will be March 15-22, 2023 and the IN PERSON Southeast Alberta Kiwanis Regional Science Fair will follow on April 1, 2022 at Medicine Hat College.

It is great to be back helping the students in person! Yesterday, I had a student ask me to help explain acids and bases and the experiment I am going to share with you today is one of my…

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts: Secret Science Santa Letter

The latest Praxis “Science Smarts” column in the Medicine Hat News.

Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

December 10, 2022

Secret Science Santa Letter

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2022/12/10/science-smarts-secret-science-santa-letter/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281689733852932.

I just looked at the calendar and cannot believe how fast Christmas is approaching. With Christmas just around the corner, I hope that all of the young scientists out there have written their letter to Santa so they will not be missed on Christmas morning!

Just in case you are worried your letter will fall into the wrong hands, I suggest we use a little science to write Santa a “secret” letter with all of your wishes on it. Do not worry, Santa and I have a great relationship and I have shared with him just how to decode this message. Let’s get started.

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

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Sharing Diigo Links and Resources (weekly)

Another EducatorAl Blog

Here are amazing blob posts from this past week:

No, physicists didn’t make a real wormhole. What they did was still pretty cool | Ars Technica
Wormholes are a classic trope of science fiction in popular media, if only because they provide such a handy futuristic plot device to avoid the issue of violating relativity with faster-than-light travel. In reality, they are purely theoretical.
New! Extensions Menu in Google Docs – Teacher Tech
First Google Sheets™, now Google Docs™. The menus are changing!! Let’s be honest, it is really annoying when the different product’s menus do not match. As of this week, Google Docs is going the way of Google Sheets to have an “Extensions” menu inst…
WWE Hardcore Match Assessment: Tile Laying Assessment – Classroom Powerups
They go together like peanut butter and chocolate, students and cell phones, or The Rock and Blockbuster movies.
Free Technology for Teachers: 50…

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts: ‘Edible’ Science

The latest Praxis Science Smarts Column in the Medicine Hat News.

Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

December 3, 2022

‘Edible’ Science

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2022/12/03/science-smarts-edible-science/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281792813053593.

Many of us are going to be spending some time in the kitchen in the coming weeks getting our Holiday baking ready to share with friends and family. It is going to be quite busy, but I thought we could fit some “edible” science in at the same time. My philosophy is if there is going to be a mess why not make a bigger one and learn at the same time.

Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

Freezer

Small saucepan

Stove wooden spoon

Metal baking pan

PURE maple syrup

Measuring cup

Adult helper

Procedure

Place the metal baking pan in the freezer, it is important to have…

View original post 358 more words