November 28: Red Planet Day

image from theguardian.com

Since November 28 is Red Planet Day, try out this game about going to Mars.

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Going on a Trip to Mars

Materials:

• none

Directions:

1. Explain to kids that there is a trick to this game and to keep it a secret when they figure it out so it doesn’t spoil the fun for others.
2. The first child (the Martian tour guide) picks a theme and tells only an adult. For example, each person might be required to bring something on the trip to Mars that begins with the same letter as his or her first name (example: “My name is Dave and I’m bringing a dog.”).
3. The tour guide takes his/her turn and then the next child follows suit. If he/she brings an item that fits the tour guide’s critiera, then the tour guide says, “Okay, you can go with me to Mars.”
4. Play continues until all children are able to go on the trip.

Source(s): Toolbox Training’s 100 Game Activities for Kids (activity G5).

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Check out the full November calendar. It includes floating holidays, specialty weeks, and specialty months.

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June 15: Ben Franklin conducted his famous kite experiment (1752)

image from whatpoll.com

There is debate over whether American pioneer and inventor really conducted this experiment in which he attached a key to a kite and flew it during an electrical storm. You can read about it here. Regardless of what really happened or didn’t, this is a good time to let kids do some experimenting with electricity by making this homemade battery.

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Homemade Battery

Materials:

• plastic cups
• concentrated lemon juice
• copper nails
• aluminum nails
• insulated wire
• flashlight bulbs

Directions:

1. Fill each cup ¾ full with concentrated lemon juice.
2. Several inches of wire will be needed for each battery.
3. Expose the ends of the wire by cutting through the plastic insulation, but not the wire.
4. Do the same in the middle of the wire.
5. Wrap each end of the wire around the tops of the nails.
6. Twist the mddle around the light bulb.
7. The wire must touch the tip of the bulb’s end and the metal ridges around its base.
8. Stick nails in lemon juice and bulb should light. If not, reattach wire and try again.
9. Explanation: lemon juice is an acid and acts much like the inside of a dry cell to create a battery.

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Source(s): 100 Science Activities for Kids (activity H7).

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Check out the full June calendar. It includes floating holidays, specialty weeks, and specialty months.

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June 10: First tornado ever recorded (1682)

image from blog.mint.com

In 1682, the first recorded tornado occurred in New Haven, Connecticut. Kids can make tornadoes to gain a better understanding of how they work.

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Tornadoes

Materials:

• tall, clear plastic jars
• aluminum foil
• clear liquid soap
• water
• food coloring
• teaspoon

Directions:

1. Discuss what a tornado is and if children have ever seen one.
2. Place a teaspoon of clear liquid soap in a plastic jar.
3. Roll foil into 4-6 tight, small balls and place in jar.
4. Fill jar with water.
5. Add 1-2 drops of food coloring.
6. Rotate the jar in a clockwise direction and water will begin swirling.
7. The model represents an actual tornado.

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Source(s): 100 Science Activities for Kids (activity D12).

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Check out the full June calendar. It includes floating holidays, specialty weeks, and specialty months.

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May 20: Weight and Measure Day

image from easyloss.net

According to Answers.com an international treaty was signed on this day in 1875 to establish the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. It was founded on international territory at Sèvres, France. Here are potential activities to celebrate the day:

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Weighing and Measuring Activities

Materials:

• Rulers
• Tape measures
• Yardsticks
• Scales
• Strong stick
• String
• Cups
• Books on animals’ lengths and weights
• Containers and cups of varying size

Directions:

1. Provide various rulers and scales to let kids do their own weighing and measuring. Kids can guess items’ weight or length.
2. Make a scale with a strong stick, some string, and cups. Tie a string from each end of the stick and attach a cup to the other side. Balance the stick and load materials in the cups.
3. Find books that tell how long different animals are and how much they weigh. How many kids would equal an elephant’s weight? A whale? How many kids would equal a giraffe’s height?
4. Have kids measure off various distances by walking toe-to-toe. They can then measure their feet and figure out how long that means the distance is that they walked.
5. Provide cups and containers of various sizes along with measuring spoons and cups. Let kids compare how same amount of liquid looks different in different-sized containers.

Source(s): Toolbox Training’s book 100 Science Activities for Kids (activities F1-F10).

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Check out the full May calendar. It includes floating holidays, specialty weeks, and specialty months.

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Workshop: Make Every Science Activity a Success

Check out the workshops tab for a full list of titles as well as prices and other information. All Toolbox Training workshops are also available as do-it-yourself training packages. Click that tab for more details.

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What you’ll get from this workshop or training package:

• Explain what science is
• Identify fears associated with science
• Recognize the benefits of engaging children in science
• Understand and use the basic scientific method
• Ask children questions to encourage scientific exploration
• Generate tools to use in scientific exploration
• Create environments that encourage scientific exploration
• Access numerous science activities for children

For this training package, Toolbox Training highly recommends the book 100 Science Activities for Kids. Click on the book cover for details.

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To have this delivered as an on-site workshop contact Toolbox Training.

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To order as a do-it-yourself training package (catalog # SCTP1010): You can also download an order form here.

Training packages come with workbooks, certificates, and evaluations for 10 participants, but you can also order additional workbooks, etc. (catalog #SCTW1010) if necessary:

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For more Toolbox Training workshops and training packages, check here.