It seems like there's a proliferation of subscription boxes for kids these days. It's fun to have something arrive in the mail that will provide a few hours of fun, or at least a bad weather day distraction for the kids. And from their perspective, it's like getting a cool new present every month. The latest box to enter the fray is the engaging and informative Girls Can! Crate, designed with an eye on young girls ages 4-8 years old. Girls Can ... [ Read More ]
STEM Careers: Meet Skin Care Scientist Dr. Jim Arbogast
It’s always interesting to get a glimpse behind the scenes to learn about what people do at their jobs and how they got to those jobs in the first place. So I was pleased to have the opportunity to talk with scientist Dr. Jim Arbogast, Vice President of Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements at GOJO Industries. GOJO is the leading global producer and marketer of skin health and hygiene solutions for away-from-home settings. You may also ... [ Read More ]
Make a Dynamic Static Ghost with Shocking Behavior
Looking for a Halloween group activity for that's easy, inexpensive and fun? Granted, making electroactive slime mostly fits the bill, but can can get a bit messy. Having each child mix up a batch of regular old simple, stretchy Borax-free slime is also an easy crowd-pleaser, but keeping that neat involves some prep on your end yet. But this dancing ghost? It's so easy and won't leave you with any goopy messes to clean up. The Static Dancing ... [ Read More ]
STEM: Looking Back and Paying it Forward, October #STEMchat
Mr. Ton, Mr. Herbst, Ms. Murphy, these are just a few of the many science teachers who helped me develop an appreciation for science. My dad played an important role, too. Do you remember the teacher or mentor who lit that spark for you? During the October #STEMchat, we'll be looking back to remember those special people, as well as what science looked like in the days before Google, iPads and high technology. Thanks to our sponsor, Bayer, ... [ Read More ]
How to Make Electroactive Slime
Are you planning a Halloween party? Electroactive slime, sometime called electric slime, provides the perfect opportunity to show off your spooky scientific powers. You can fool partygoers into thinking that you’re controlling the electroactive goop with your telekinetic powers. That is, until you explain the science behind the trick. How to Make Electroactive Slime Supplies Vegetable oil Cornstarch A balloon or 3x3 piece of Styrofoam ... [ Read More ]
Tadpoles Develop into Disabled Frogs near Chicago
There's a lot of nostalgic talk about childhood summers in the 1970s. The kind where kids ran rampant and unsupervised throughout the neighborhood, especially during the summer. One thing I did as a kid in the Chicago area was capture tadpoles and raise them into frogs. Last year, when I was out walking Tesla one late spring day, we came upon a large puddle filled with tadpoles. I stopped to watch them for a while and later brought my niece to ... [ Read More ]
Kitchen Science Lab for Kids: Book Review with Video
Just when you thought your holiday STEM gift shopping was done, well, it's not. Today and tomorrow I'm featuring two of my favorite new books for STEM and Maker-loving families. First up, Liz Heinecke's Kitchen Science Lab for Kids. With 52 family-friendly experiments, this book makes it easy to commit to a year of science. What a great theme for 2015! Kitchen Science Fun Kitchen Science Lab for Kids is divided into 12 themed sections ... [ Read More ]