Already Faulting on Promises

Ok, ok...so I know I said I would do my best to update this blog regularly. This was the first week of school, so my mind has been adjusting to the enormous work load I've got there! I promise to do a detailed blog this weekend full of cool science stuff! Stay tuned!

Variety Friday- In The News

Fridays will be left open for whatever cool science stuff I can find out there. Today's topic is "In the News." Take a look at this article from Yahoo! http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92687. This article talks about some never before seen (and endangered) creatures. The point of the article is to bring about awareness of endangered species and conservation. To learn more, check out Conservation International (http://www.conservation.org/FMG/Articles/Pages/in_ecuador_science_for_conservation.aspx).

As for this little guy pictured, he is known as the "glass frog." His skin is translucent, so all the organs are visible. He lives in Ecuador near mountains and rivers. His home is threatened, but groups like Conservation International are helping to save this fun little frog.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! See what cool science you can find in your own backyard.

The Chef's Apprentice: Making Butter

On Thursdays, I plan to provide a cooking activity for families to do together. Some of these have been around forever and others may be new. Today, we are going to investigate how heavy cream turns into butter. This is a simple activity that demonstrates chemistry to young children. Get a plastic or glass jar (we use baby food jars) with a tight fitting lid. Pour the heavy cream, found at any grocery store, into the jar. Shake the jar vigorously for about 10 minutes, maybe longer, until thick. You are adding the energy into the system required to make the fat and protein globs in the cream stick together. The solid substance once shaken is the butter and the liquid is buttermilk. If you're feeling creative, you can add a little yogurt into the heavy cream before shaking for a different flavor/texture. Salt can be added as well.

Try it tonight on some toast! The buttermilk can be used as well for cooking or for drinking. Mmmm!

Welcome!

Welcome to Science is Fun! My goal is to produce a blog where families can come to get ideas about science. Being a student scientist myself, I hope to bring real world applications for children (and parents) to learn what it is like to be a real scientist. If you ever have any questions or want to spark a discussion, please email me or comment on this post. I would love this to be an interactive community.

Each day will have a theme, and I will do my best to update the blog regularly. Wednesdays theme will be "Blasting through Books," so let's get started. Today's book is titled, "I Wonder Why Stars Twinkle" by Carole Stott. This is a great book about space that young children can understand. It is true to what scientists know about our planet and the universe, but written so that children (and parents) grasp the concepts. The pictures are great, too. My son and nephew, ages 4yrs. and 6yrs., really like to sit down and read this one. We bought this book while we toured the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (A vacation I highly recommend!)


Well, that is it for today! Come back tomorrow for more scientific adventures!