ENCOURAGING STEM LEARNING AT HOME Daily life and the world around us presents many opportunities for encouraging your child’s interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Here are some easy ways to make STEM education exciting and practical: • Engage in conversation about STEM-related topics with children in way that pertains to everyday life experiences. When you’re getting dressed talk about the temperature and how the seasons are changing. Discuss how the parts of a bike work together to help create movement. Look at the stars and the moon together. When you’re making dinner, talk about how you’re measuring and the temperature of the oven and how heat affects the food you’re preparing. • Keep building blocks, puzzles, and board games easily accessible for your children. Have family playtime where you do these activities together. • Visit local science museums and check the calendar for fun family activities that would interest your child. • View science and technology TV shows with your child or watch a video online. Discuss what you viewed and what your child learned. • Try an experiment that you saw demonstrated on TV or in a video. Part of the fun can be gathering the items needed to perform it as well as setting up the experimental lab. You can find many science websites that offer simple experiments you can do at home. • Join or organize science and technology related groups on social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn in order to brainstorm with other parents and caregivers. You may have local groups in your community or at school that you can connect with as well. Lego clubs and science clubs are becoming increasingly popular. If you can’t find one to join, start your own! Emilia plays with elephant toothpaste as it flows from the bottle. Photo courtesy of Ciao Bella Photos. Science in the Home continued from page 6 The children hear about how to create slime. Photo courtesy of Ciao Bella Photos. polymer, molecules, compounds, monomers. Demonstrate structure and design of different synthetic and natural elements important in functions. Ranging from plastics to biologic polymers like DNA and proteins. Apart from the slimy gooey fun, polymers have real life applications. Plastics and Styrofoam are common polymers used in construction and numerous everyday items. Their toughness and viscosity make it easy to manipulate to form cups, plates, insulation among other things. Biopolymers are important in body function and vital bioprocesses in the human body. Supplies 1. Safety goggles and apron 2. Elmer’s glue 8 oz bottles 3. small bowl 4. food coloring 5. 3 tbsp Borax 6. 500ml warm water Directions • Pour Elmer’s glue into the bowl • Fill the Elmer’s glue bottle with warm water, shake and pour into bowl and stir in the food color • Make a borax mixture with warm water in a container • Pour borax solution into the Elmer’s glue mixture and use hands to stir. • Observe how the mixture form a stringy gooey substance, this is called a polymer 2013 • Issue 5 communication, creativity and collaboration. The purpose of these activities is to engage your children in sciencerelated activities and give them the chance to ask questions, experience, and explore the world of science. Calsin Hoyle is a local mom who runs a mobile lab for children ages 5 - 11 (or K - 6). A Neuroscience major from George Mason University, her passion is making science fun, interactive and accessible. She also works within the State SOL to encourage collaboration with local teachers and educators. She hopes to inspire children to experiment with science and incorporate science play to nurture their curiosity. For more information visit www.stemkids-va.com. Elephant Toothpaste Experiment Key science terms for kids to remember for this experiment are: Chemical reaction, exothermic, molecules, hydrogen atoms, catalyst. Recommended age group 3 – 10 year olds. This experiment introduces children to science concepts such as chemical reaction, exothermic, molecules, hydrogen atoms, catalyst. Demonstrate reactions and the behavior of certain substance if manipulated with a catalyst. Real-world application of exothermic reaction is common in the military, camping and disaster relief. All these require flameless heat production to warm up food and/or water. Supplies 1. Safety goggles, gloves and apron 2. Recycled empty bottles 3. Funnel 4. Food color 5. 250 ml Hydrogen Peroxide 20% 6. 2 tbsp Active Yeast 7. 500ml Warm water 8. Dawn Soap Directions • Mix several squirts of dawn, a few drops of food color, and peroxide in the bottle using the funnel • Stir the yeast in the warm water and slowly pour into the bottle with the peroxide • Quickly take out the funnel and observe the reaction explode out of the bottle. The bottle will also be warm to touch as it is an exothermic reaction. Exothermic reactions produce heat. Gak/Slime Key words: Polymer, molecules, compounds, monomers Recommended age group 3 – 7 year olds. Introduction to science concepts and terms like Piedmont Family Magazine 7