Are you interested in some quick and easy science activities? Children’s science writer Vicki Cobb has awebpage of science-related videos that show children performing simple science experiments and demonstrations that are perfect for some informal science experiences.
Note:Â The videos are meant to complement her book We Dare You. Therefore some of the videos don’t have an explanation of the science, just a “to find out more go to the book” message. You might want to preview the “Vampire Fire” video before showing it to sensitive children.
As you can see from this promotional example I found on YouTube, the videos have a homemade charm.
Vicki Cobb’s books are perfect for the child who wants to do hands on science that’s fun, and maybe just a bit messy.
Leave me a comment if you have any questions about the videos or the science behind them.
Note: I have no affiliation with Vicki Cobb, but I do have an affiliation with Amazon. See the disclosure page for more information.
While taking the photographs of the tiny wasp last week, I noticed another insect that eats aphids.
Do you see it?
How about now?
Here’s a hint.
The caterpillar-like creature is actually the larva of a fly called a flower fly (syrphidae). Although you may think of fly larvae as legless creature found in garbage, the flower fly larvae chase down and eat aphids. They are often pinkish or greenish in color.
The adult flies feed on nectar of flowers, hence the common name. They are often mistaken for honey bees. (This is not the same species as the larva above.)
Have you ever seen a flower fly? Why do you think the larva is so hard to spot?
Do you ever wonder whether all the science enrichment you do as a parent really matters? Well, parent involvement made a huge difference to Dr. Dale Emeagwali. As a Black, she felt her teachers were not supportive of her interest in math and science when she was growing up in the 1960’s. She says she became a scientist because her parents did simple science experiments with her and her two brothers at home. Her father also encouraged their interest in math by showing them tricks with numbers and having math books available. She fully credits her parent’s efforts for her success.
Dr. Emeagwali is now a Lecturer in Biology at Morgan State University. She has a PhD from Georgetown University in Microbiology, and was honored with National Technical Association’s “1996 Scientist of the Year” award for for her contributions to the fields of microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry.
In the book Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, and Pursuits the authors agree that “an important value of informal environments for learning science is being accessible to all.” Although it covers a lot of topics, one I thought was interesting was that “…in the retrospective studies of what launched female scientists down their career paths. These women often cite particular individuals or contexts outside schools as significant influences on their pursuit of science careers.”
Dr. Emeagwali continues to encourage informal science learning for children. For example, while at the University of Minnesota she worked with the Science Museum of Minnesota on the annual African-American Science Day there.
