Junior Einsteins 2008 Session II Photos
range of number of skittle per fun size package
paper crayfish need counterweights to balance on their heads
Ariana helps with the balancing
master balancers try to balance tools on a thin string
Monday, July 7, 2008:  Today we played some games designed to help us
start thinking like scientists and get us ready to work hard to listen and
follow directions.  Afterwards we talked about scientific paradigms and
working toward being a respected scientist.  To illustrate this point we
examined the difference between direct observations and applications of
previously attained knowledge and made some predictions.  Our test
organism was a fun size bag of Skittles.  We were very surprised to discover
that when we recorded the number of Skittles in each of the bags, the
results showed bilateral symmetry.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008:  Today
we made slime and explored
some elements of balance and
how odd items can be made
balanced by adding
counterweights to pull them
down on to the object you want
them to balance on, be it a
finger or a piece of string.
our homework hydroponics
a couple bulbs
a cutting and a runner
Wednesday, July 9, 2008:  Today we had homework to bring in something small that we think
might grow.  We then planted them in a hydroponic environment utilizing water absorbing crystals
and liquid fertilizer.  Some homework items were cuttings and leaves from mature plants, small
baby plants produced by runners, bulbs (like garlic and onions), potato tubers, beans (including a
coffee bean), a few seeds, a banana, and a gummy bear.
Thursday, July 10, 2008:  Today we had a visit from Star Lab,
an inflatable planetarium!  Our two groups had separate
presentations so some of us learned about the phases of the
moon and others learned about similarities between Native
American and Greek constellations. (no pictures, sorry)
Friday July 11, 2008:  Today we
used our field collection
necklaces to collect specimens
of moss from the Park School
Campus.  We were also looking
for some symbiotic organisms
called lichens (pronounced
like-enz:  as in the algae and
fungus took a likin' to each
other).  We found a very cool
type of lichen called British
Soldier growing on a fallen tree
and also found a small stand of
walking onions.
Phil carefully helps collect some moss
examining the ground closely showed many small plants we hadn't noticed
slime polymers are very fun to watch and touch
Meg helps weigh down a
several boys and
the Huff 'n Puff Champions
Monday, July 14, 2008:  Today we had two challenges, make
a FLINKER (a balloon that floats in the middle of the room)
and a Huff 'n Puff vehicle that moves 100 cm on one blow of
air!
some people just Huff 'n Puff harder than others
building a Huff 'n Puff vehicle