STEM Fun: Make a Five Penny Light

Observe, Question, Think...about Electricity!!

  How does electricity work? You only need one LED Christmas light to make this fun STEM flashlight to begin the conversation. There are many other STEM projects on-line using materials around the house. 

   Start with a few observations and questions. Count all of the plug- in electrical devices or battery devices in your home. How does electricity work? What famous American scientist experimented with electricity? Think: key and a kite. Children often start with seeing static electricity by rubbing a balloon on dry hair or pulling apart two cloths from a dryer in a dark room. They talk about electrons, protons, atoms, and matter very early.

STEM

Make a Flashlight...

  To make a flashlight that controls the flow of electrons, you will need sandpaper, five pennies dated after 1982 (copper coated zinc), salt, a little pool of water in a dish, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, four poster board circles cut a bit smaller than the size of a penny, paper toweling, a white or red LED light (use the least electricity), and clear packing tape or electrical tape. 

  Use sandpaper to remove the copper from the Lincoln side (thinnest) of four pennies. It should be shiny.

  Add salt to the water a little at a time and stir. Keep adding salt until no more salt dissolves (super saturated). Then add the vinegar and stir to combine. Now put the thin cardboard pieces in the salt and vinegar until they are soaked. Place on a paper towel. Now build the battery by taking one of the sanded pennies zinc side up and placing a piece of wet cardboard on top. Stack another penny zinc side up and another cardboard piece. Continue with the of the rest of the sanded pennies and cardboard.

   Place the final un-sanded penny on top.  Check that all zinc sides are facing up with a layer of cardboard covering each and the top and bottom of the battery stack are copper.  Pennies should not touch each other.

Flashlight

Electricity is ALL Around Us!

  Turn on your flashlight by connecting the longer leg of the LED light to the top penny (positive end) and the shorter leg to the bottom penny. When the light is lit, secure it with tape.  Can you make a stronger battery with more pennies? Can you recharge your battery by re-soaking the cardboard? 

  How does this work? When the two different metals surfaces (electrodes) are connected by the salty vinegar solution (electrolyte) a chemical reaction occurs.   The zinc reacts with the saltwater to create electrons and the copper reacts with saltwater to use the electrons.  When the LED light is connected, electrons have a controlled flow or circuit

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest
Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

Children Learn Culture Through Cooking

Recipes: Learn Geography, History and Culture

 Families can celebrate simple recipes from around the world and learn a little about geography, history, and culture.

   Whether ancestors called it mousse, junket, blancmange, creme, pannukakku or Tiramisu, custards are fun to make with kids. Although all are slightly different, this custard takes ten minutes to mix.

  The STEM science concept behind custard is coagulating a protein. It is the process of changing a liquid protein like eggs or milk into a solid by heating. Protein coagulation is one of the main reasons food changes when it is cooked. You can look up the interesting history of custard and bread, too.  

Easy Custard  

This recipe serves four. You’ll need two eggs, 2 cups milk, 

Easy Custard Recipe

½ c sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons vanilla, dash of cinnamon and nutmeg (optional).   You can cut down on the sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon, especially if you are going to put chocolate chips or sweet berries on top.  Whisk ingredients together. Pour into 4 ungreased custard cups or put into a small baking pan both ungreased. Place in a cake pan with about 3/4 inch hot water.  Bake uncovered 350 degrees 50-55 minutes. It is done when a knife makes a little slice clean through. Cool and serve warm or chilled. Store in the refrigerator. Custard can also be made stove top with almond milk and no eggs if there are allergies.

Spotted Dog Bread

Spotted Dog Bread Recipe 

 Yeast was not always available for bread throughout history.  Here is Irish soda bread, Spotted Dog, or Fari. You will need 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour, 1 ¼ cups white flour, (or use only white flour) 3 T sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 3/4 tsp salt, 2/3c currants or raisins may be flour dusted, 4 T cold butter cut in pieces, 1 1/3 c buttermilk or (milk and 1 T vinegar or lemon juice set out), 1 large egg, 2 T melted butter. Preheat oven 400 degrees. Lightly grease round cake pan. Whisk together the flours, sugar, baking soda, salt, and currants or raisins.

  In a separate bowl whisk together buttermilk and egg. Pour this mixture into a center hole of dry ingredients and mix. The dough will be stiff. If it's too crumbly add another tablespoon or two of buttermilk. Knead the dough no more than a couple times. Shape it into a ball. Flatten the ball slightly, and place the loaf in your pan. Use a sharp knife to cut a 1/2"deep traditional cross in the loaf. Bake for about 45 to 55 minutes, until golden brown or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove and brush with melted butter, if desired. The acid in buttermilk and the base in soda produce trapped carbon dioxide bubbles which make dough rise. For more see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com, wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons, Pinterest, and Facebook.

Finding Symmetry in Nature

Symmetry Is All Around Us

Symmetry is all around us in summertime. Children are fascinated with insects, flowers and other natural objects that are symmetrical.  This is an opportunity to talk about some math concepts and make beautiful symmetrical objects in nature.

  There are two main types of symmetry: rotational and reflection. When children point the top or bottom of pine cones at their nose they can see that both sides of the swirl or rotation are the same.  If children look at a butterfly and cover one half going north and south, they will see both sides are the same (reflection). If they place a little mirror down the center (going north and south) they will see the reflection is exactly like the other half.

Collect Nature

  When families go on car trips or hikes they can collect symmetrical clam shells, leaves, flowers, rocks, insects, or take close up pictures of them.

Two Main Types of Symmetry

Point out to children that their bodies and shadows are symmetrical, too. Is their house symmetrical? Look at family pets. When they are observed at certain angles are they symmetrical? 

 This easy art project is another way to play with symmetry. Gather some drinking straws to use as eye droppers for colors of poster paint, markers, sheets of paper, small stones, or art jewels.

  Help children fold a paper in half either the long way or short way. Open the paper and drop several colors of paint from the straw “eye droppers” onto one half of the paper next to the fold line. Children can now fold the paper over the paint. Rub gently over the paper to blend the colors. Open the paper and talk about the “blobby” shape that has appeared. Point out that what is on one side of the fold is also on the other side of the fold. Look for the symmetry.

Symmetry Search

  While the paint is drying, search for symmetry in leaves, flowers, pine cones, insects, and other objects in your own back yard. Children often enjoy taking 

 Close-Ups of Insects on Flowers

close up pictures of colorful insects on bright flowers that are also symmetrical. Use a magnifying glass and study some insects or spiders you find. Talk about what makes them spiders and insects the same and different.

  Once the paint is dry children can use markers to add antennae, wings, eyes and legs. To make the new insect even more beautiful children may want glue on craft jewels. They can name the new insect and put it on display.

  Some books about symmetry include: “What is Symmetry in Nature?” by Bobbie Kalman and “Is it Symmetrical?” by Nancy Allen. 

Photos: Fran Darling - fdarling fotos

  For more science and math STEM adventures go to -  grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons live Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Saturdays at 8:30 am and pod casts archived on the site.

Having Fun and Learning With Gravity

Gravity-force that causes objects to fall! 

 Adults who provide care for young children often teach them about animals and plants when out in nature, but children also enjoy learning about physical science. Gravity is the force that causes objects to fall. It is fun for children to learn because it involves sliding, rolling, and other vigorous activities that are some of their favorite things to do.

  Learning about gravity can be done anywhere there is an incline like a safe driveway, hill, playground slide, or a few steps. While going down a slide point out that gravity helps one go fast. 

Gravity Tosses

  Tossing a slightly deflated beach ball up in the air or rolling it down a hill is a good teaching moment and time for discussion.  Gravity is the force that attracts one object to another. If a ball is thrown up, it will come down toward the larger object, the Earth.  A slightly deflated

Gravity - force that attracts objects together!

 beach ball is easier to catch for small hands. 

  Children can roll a ball or some small cars on a decline to have gravity fun.  Push balls down steps so children can practice catching them with the help of gravity. Place a long board on the steps. Will the balls go down faster on the flat board or the steps?

  While the board is out have some fun racing small cars down the plain. Which car is the gravity champion that gets to the bottom first and then continues to roll the farthest? Does the size of the car seem to matter?

  When washing the car on a hot day aim the hose straight up in the air. Children will love to make rain on everyone with the help of gravity. Take out some umbrellas and enjoy the shower.

   If you throw a feather and piece of paper in the air do they land as fast as a ball? No, because they are 

Take Pictures to Make a Personal Science Book

flat and air gets underneath to slow their fall to the Earth. If your children roll that same piece of paper into a ball will it now fall to the ground faster?  There is less resistance and gravity will win. 

Gravity Rolls

  When cousins or friends get together they can have fun with gravity rolling down grassy hills. Teach children to hug themselves and roll sideways down the hill.  

Someone inevitably gets the idea to summersault down, too.

  

Many Childrens' Books Tell About Gravity

You can take pictures during any of these activities and make a personal science book about gravity with children’s words underneath.   Experiences like these give children practice explaining science and telling a story.

read to young children. For more STEM fun see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com. 

photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

More Vocabulary Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’

website:  Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube

S.T.E.M. Perfect for Families

STEM Opens Conversation Channels

S.T.E.M.  opens up many new opportunities for conversation and learning  during family time like taking walks. The acronym stands for having fun with science, technology, engineering, and math.  Most states have now added “A” for art making the acronym S.T.E.A.M. It’s a way of organizing learning and families can participate.

A Way of Thinking

  How does S.T.E.M. work in the family?  Whenever a family is doing an activity, adults can add a little learning. For example, if grandpa is taking a walk with young children he can stop to watch a few ants working around their anthill. He might even pack a magnifying glass, a

How Does STEM Work?

 real handy tool.  Maybe they’ll pick up a stick to watch an ant crawl. Gramps can add a few interesting science facts he knows about ants, like they bite and may sting.  They crawl down many feet below the frost line to survive the winter. What happens if we leave a little honey, cheese, or a dead fly by the ant hole?  What is the prediction?

  When they get home they might look up information about ants and images on Google or You Tube educational movies.  They might take a picture with their camera. This picture can be inspiration for some sketches, models of ants, or a library visit.  

How Does STEM Work?

  To get the “E” for engineering, grandpa might talk about now the ants make their home. What happens when their house on the sidewalk gets washed out?  How long will it take to rebuild? How is their home like ours—ant farm anyone?

  Let’s count how many ants we see on the way to the park?  Are they all the same color and size?  Is there a pattern to the ant holes on the sidewalk?  There is your math.

  Counting, finding likenesses and differences, looking for patterns, asking questions, figuring out answers, putting in groups, and classifying them are activities kids love to do. Adults can sneak them in anytime anyplace.

Seaborg Center

  Families can talk about the weather, gravity, animals, plants, tracks, mud, gardens, water, 

Sign up for Summer STEM!

food, signs, 

camping, or playing sports, all with S.T.E.M. or S.T.E.A.M. in mind. It’s a way of thinking that just takes a little practice.

  According to the National Science 

Foundation “Over 50% of the fastest growing jobs in the U.S. are math, science, engineering, or technology related” and with families helping, grandkids can get those jobs.

  

All Free Home Materials!

Northern Michigan University offers many exciting summer S.T.E.M. classes for young children at the Seaborg Center that are S.T.E.M. related.

  Many libraries, nature centers, Y’s, and summer camps use the S.T.E.M. model for organizing their programs.  There are also many on-line ideas to easily work S.T.E.M. into your family’s summer life.  

It’s all free with materials in homes, parks, and backyards. 

photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

More Vocabulary Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’

website: Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube