Boot Camp with Steve Spangler

You may have seen a recent post about the $50 gift certificates I gave 4 beginning teachers for Steve Spangler materials.  Surprising these teachers with the chance to start their teaching career with some great science resources was a highlight of my summer! As we head into the school year I have great news for you...

If you teach science in North Carolina or any neighboring state, you do NOT want to miss this!  Steve Spangler is holding a Science Boot Camp in Greensboro, NC on October 3, 2012.  If you don't know who he is, check out some of his videos on the  Sick Science Youtube Channel. Steve is an outstanding teacher of teachers. He will definitely get you energized about teaching science.

In July 2011, I was fortunate to attend Steve's 3 day Science in the Rockies event.
If you want to know what you can expect from a day with Steve,  read my blog posts.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

As soon as I found out Steve was coming to NC, I registered.  What a deal! A day with Steve for $199. How about a better deal?  That's right... let's all take $30 off the registration.  Just use this code when you register: BC20135  Don't wait too long. Steve's workshops fill up quickly!  Ready to find out more or register?  Click here! If you're planning to go, I'd love to meet up with you there.  Leave me a comment and we'll try to arrange a meet up the night before or something.

Going Buggy

I got this email today and thought there might be some of my followers who would want to know about it.  If you teach insects, check into this.  I know I plan on checking it out!

Hello, 

I wanted to clue everyone in on an opportunity that I don't think many people know about. The Entomological Foundation is a non-profit that does insect education and outreach programs for K-12 students. Their website hosts some educational materials like lesson plans and activities for students. These "science projects" that teachers can do with their students are submitted by educators on an annual contest. Winners (there are always 5-10) each receive $100! I really feel that insect education is fascinating and holds great appeal to many students, but that many times insect biology gets shuffled to the back.  I know many of you have great insect activities that could be shared! Also, the foundation website is a good resource even if you don't participate. 

Details for the competition can be found at: 

http://www.entfdn.org/projectcontest.php

Examples of winning projects can be found at: 

http://www.entfdn.org/scienceprojects.php

Science Saturday - Tie Dye with a Twist

Last summer, I was lucky enough to spend 3 days with a very gifted science educator... Steve Spangler.
If you don't know who he is, you don't know what you've been missing!
Anyway, while I was participating in Science in the Rockies 2011, I learned that you don't have to get messy to tie dye a t-shirt.  Tie dying is one of those things that I think you really love to do or you avoid because you're afraid of it.  In my case, I avoided it like the plague.  That is until last summer.  Not only did I learn you could do it without the mess and hassle of rubberbands and buckets of dye but you can control the designs to create beautiful works of art!  That is if you're artistic.

Before I go any further, you may be thinking: "How is this science?"  It is the science of color.

Here's what you need:
a t-shirt (pre-washed)
Sharpie ™ markers
rubbing alcohol
pipettes
rubberbands
plastic cups

Here's what you do:
Choose a place to begin your design on the t-shirt.  Place a plastic cup under the cloth and use a rubberband to hold it in place. Using Sharpie ™ markers, make dots to create an outline of your design.  (Keep in mind the fact that the colors will run.)
Next use a pipette to drop rubbing alcohol in the center of the design.  This will cause the colors to run and blend. Give it a few minutes to dry out and then you can move the cup to a new location.  It is possible to set up more than one design area at a time if you want to work more quickly.

When you're finished designing your t-shirt, throw it in the dryer to "set" the colors.  Take a look at our first attempts.

By the way, Friday was the kick-off for the NC Science Festival.  There will be some really cool and mostly Free things going on across North Carolina from now until April 29th.  If you're in the area, check them out!