Science

I have not gotten around to posting Princess's last science experiment, so even though it did not happen today, I am including it. She has been learning about solutions. The unit started with putting solutions together and learning how different substances dissolved and has moved onto separating solutions. The method that did with this experiment is chromatography. Princess took some strips of coffee filters and colored a dot on each with marker. The colors we used were black, brown, blue, and green. She dipped one side of the coffee filter into a water and alcohol solution, then watched as the filter absorbed the solution. As the wetness hit the marker, the the ink was separated into the different colors that went into it. Black was definitely the most interesting. We could see bits of pink and purple, along with orange and some bright blue. Spike also did the experiment. The kids pretty much always do each others experiments, although the one who is not required to do so does not have to take notes.

As the experiment was wrapping up, Sprout woke up from nap. Gotta love that nap hair!


Today we did an experiment from Spike's science lessons. He has most recently been studying simple machines. We learned about wheels and levers so far, and today was pulleys. We first measured the amount of newtons required to pick up the bucket we had loaded with stuff (including one of Sprout's snow boots), and then tested the amount of newtons required to lift with the pulley. To test the amount of newtons, Spike uses a spring weight that he gets a kick out of. We rigged the pulley up on the landing outside of me and my husband's bedroom where you can look down at the entryway, so the kids could lift the bucket up one floor of the home. They obviously enjoyed doing this, as they continued to play with it long after their required experimentation was over. Speaking of which...I believe the pulley is still there.


The kids also helped me make chocolate chip cookies today. I could tell you that this was a learning experience about measurement and all that, but honestly everyone just wanted some cookies.