Past Lessons and Activities

This meeting started off with our typical mini-lesson applying scientific concepts to magnets. We learned about magnetism, the force that makes magnets stick to magnetic objects. We investigated how forces can cause a push or a pull. Another things we covered were magnetic fields, areas around magnets that have a magnetic force. Some metals are more magnetic than others such as nickel, iron, and cobalt which are found in everyday objects. Lastly, we applied the aspects of magnetism and magnets to Earth, as Earth is in a sense a large rotating magnet. Our planet has North and South poles, a magnetic metal core, and gravity acts as a magnetic force, pulling all objects to Earth. 

After learning, we passed out materials to start our activity. We used transparent school glue, contact lens solution, baking soda, and iron filings which were individually separated and measured out to make the activity easy and organized for the children. We passed out magnetic wands to show students how the magnetic slime is attracted to the magnet. The children got to keep the slime and take it home to continue playing and exploring!

This meeting started off with our typical mini-lesson explaining how cyanotype printing works. We explained the science behind "sun art" and how sunlight creates patterns on cyanotype paper. We learned that cyanotype paper is coated in a chemical iron salt solution that turns dark blue when exposed to sunlight. Thus, areas of the paper that are covered by objects will be shielded from the sunlight and remain white. 

After learning, we went outside to start our activity. We went on a nature walk outside to collect sticks, flowers, grass, leaves, pinecones, and whatever else the children wanted to use to create their sun art. Next, we gathered at tables in the sun to arrange our art by arranging objects on the paper, then letting them sit out in direct sunlight for about five minutes. Then, we dunked our cyanotype paper into cool water and kept it submerged for about five to ten minutes. We then pulled out the paper and revealed our sun art masterpieces!

This meeting started off with our typical mini-lesson explaining what chlorophyll is. We then explored how chloroplasts within chlorophyll helps plants make food for themselves, in a process called photosynthesis. We then learned a unique fun fact; chlorophyll is fluorescent under ultraviolet light! Natural chlorophyll dye produces a glow under UV light that is unlike artificial dye. 

After learning we started our activity; making spinach glow under UV light. We started by squishing spinach in a plastic bag to form a paste using our fingers and rolling pins. Then, we added a few pumps of hand sanitizer. Alcohol and chlorophyll molecules are both lipophilic, or oil loving, so alcohol is best for extracting chlorophyll from spinach. We mixed the hand sanitizer and spinach together and then extracted the liquid. As a control, we compared the glasses of chlorophyll liquid to cups of water with green food coloring. Under the UV light, the glasses with chlorophyll glowed while the dyed water did not. This demonstrated how chlorophyll is fluorescent under UV light!