Flower Lab

Using the overhead to guide students through the parts of the flower, allowing them to color each part as you introduce it to them, keeps them engaged in the lesson and is enjoyable for them. Also as you talk about each part have them write down the purpose of each part. After completing the parts of a flower worksheet, allow the students to actually dissect a real flower. Dissecting a flower allows students to actually see the parts of the flower that were discussed, also it is interesting to see the parts in real life. As I participated in this activity I found it to be externally informative and at the same time fun. This is a great activity for kids, that is much more exciting than just filling out a worksheet.

Snack Tectonics
Our planet's surface is shaped by the movement of the Earth's outer layer by the process known as plate tectonics. These outer plates are made of rock and fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. The rock in general is lightweight compared to the denser, fluid layer that lies underneath, which allows it to essentially float on top. This layer in this activity is represented by the frosting. However plates are not all the same, some are thicker, but less dense and others are thinner, yet more dense. The two different crusts, oceanic and continental are represented by fruit roll ups and graham crackers. These materials together are used to demonstrate the interesting things that happen at the edges of plates. This whole activity is a great way for kids to understand the different types of boundaries, divergent, convergent, and transform. Also it ends with a yummy snack!

Table Manners
An insect's mouthparts are the set of structures used for eating. There are two basic types of insect mouths and mouthparts, those adapted for chewing and those adapted for sucking. Chewing insect mouths, like the beetle and fly, can be simulated by using a clothes pin for the beetle and a clothes pin plus a sponge for the fly. A sucking insect mouth, as in the mosquito and butterfly, can be explained through using a straw for the butterfly and a straw with a pointy end for the mosquito. Using these tools to simulate different insect mouths and having students use them to collect water allows them to better understand how the mouthparts work. This activity was super fun and very interesting. Simple for kids and still educational, great to use in the classroom. 

Creating A Circuit
Electricity is fascinating and its all around us! Experimenting with a small light bulb, battery and untwisted paper clip allows you to develop a working understanding of the electricity that you have grown accustom to. Various arrangements of the battery, bulb, and paper clip were tested until we saw the  bulb light up! In our experiment, if the light was not connected to one end of the battery and the paper clip to the other, nothing happened because there is not a complete circuit. As long as there is a circle for something called an electric current to flow around, the small wire inside the bulb will glow! Doing this activity as an adult was interesting, so performing it with students will be fascinating for them. Also it will capture their interests and hopefully bring a bit of wonder back into normal everyday things that we take for granted.

Dissecting Owl Pellets

Owl Pellets I vividly remember dissecting owl pellets as a student in the fourth grade. At the time I was fascinated by the whole concept and got excited every time I found a new bone. The second time around, doing this process as an adult, I was a little more apprehensive about diving into pulling apart the owl pellet. However I was still intrigued by the whole concept and couldn't stop myself from participating in the activity. Dissecting owl pellets is an excellent way to learn about what owls eat and how owls digest their food. You can also learn a lot about the bone structure of the small rodents who have become the owls' dinner. Owl pellets are made of the bone and fur that the owl regurgitates after swallowing his prey whole. Bringing owl pellet dissection into the classroom may seem disgusting at first, but it is interesting and a fun learning experience.