Hi everyone, Nancy here.
Can you believe it? Durham Public Schools (DPS) Staff, Students and Teachers on the traditional calendar are already in their second month of school. We have already got our first round of science kits back to refurbish as our friends on the Year-Round calendar have tracked out. We are very busy in the resource center and at our off site location at Durham Public Schools Internal Services preparing to turn these science units around so that they will be ready for the next rotation.
Over the summer,SERC staff had the pleasure of sitting alongside DPS teachers at a staff development session at Oak Grove Elementary. We were treated to two dynamic hands-on sessions on the 6 E Model of learning. There is a great article here from the National Science Teachers Association that talks about the model and how it is changing learning in the classroom by reaching all kinds of learners and creating lasting connections. DPS teachers are implementing this method in their science instruction and it's design is also providing opportunities for cross-curricular learning in math, language arts and social studies as well as physical education and the arts.
The SERC has 6E resources available for review in our library for pre-service educators and current teachers. Parents and caregivers are welcome to peruse these to gain a better understanding of what their children are experiencing and we can give you tips on how to support your children's teachers.
There are two links I got from the workshops that I found very useful and I wanted to share them. The first is Teachnet, a website that has lesson plans and ideas in all subjects that other educators contribute.
Mathematics is a strand that is pervasive throughout our school career and our lives. A fun way to learn and review math concepts is through my second recommendation, analyzemath.com. As I'm helping my 13 year old with his schoolwork, I find this site to be helpful, especially for someone like me who has "fuzzy" recollections of middle and high school math. The site has all kinds of math concepts and has engaging computer-generated problems to solve.
Don't forget the SERC for all your "Back to School" resource needs. Besides our extensive science collection, we have a wide array of math games and manipulatives (suitable for Pre-K-5th grade) available for loan.
Here's to a great school year!
Stay tuned and stay curious,
-Nancy
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Cool Tools: School is in session!
Labels: 27704, Analyzemath, back to school, cool tools, durham public schools, museum of life and science, Nancy, ncmls, science, science education resource center, Teachnet
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Cool Tools: Bird Feeder Activity!
Labels: 27704, bird activity, cool tools, kristen, museum of life and science, science, science activities, science at home, science education resource center
We talked about posting activities for people to do at home, so here is the first one..pretty basic!
What you need: A bowl of Cheerios (plain)
Pipe-cleaner (one per feeder)
What to do: Thread Cheerios onto the pipe-cleaner, you should fill it up! Then, bend the pipe-cleaner into a circle and twist the tips together to secure the feeder. Now you have created a bird feeder in seconds! You can hang them on a tree or outside of a window to watch the action! Its quick, cheap and environmentally friendly!!! Don't forget to remove the pipe-cleaners from the tree when the birds are done.
Want to do more? An option for continuing this activity is to make lots of these feeders and hang them all over your yard, at many different heights! Observe and keep a log of the feeders!
P.S. Watch out for Squirrels! They LOVE Cheerios ;)
What you need: A bowl of Cheerios (plain)
Pipe-cleaner (one per feeder)
What to do: Thread Cheerios onto the pipe-cleaner, you should fill it up! Then, bend the pipe-cleaner into a circle and twist the tips together to secure the feeder. Now you have created a bird feeder in seconds! You can hang them on a tree or outside of a window to watch the action! Its quick, cheap and environmentally friendly!!! Don't forget to remove the pipe-cleaners from the tree when the birds are done.
Want to do more? An option for continuing this activity is to make lots of these feeders and hang them all over your yard, at many different heights! Observe and keep a log of the feeders!
- Write down everything you see
- The different species of birds at each feeder
- Are the same species of birds at every feeder or just that one because of its height?
- Can you see the birds beaks?
- Draw comparisons between all the birds
- Whose feeder still has the most Cheerios after one week, whose has the least?
- Which height is the most popular?
P.S. Watch out for Squirrels! They LOVE Cheerios ;)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Kit Tidbit: Science In A SHOEBOX? A new edition at the SERC
Labels: kit tidbit, kristen, museum of life and science, science activities, science at home, science education, science education resource center, science in a shoebox, science in a suitcase
As many of you know we have something called "Science In A Suitcase" (SIAS) kits here at the Museum; which can be rented by educators, parents, home schoolers, etc. They are one of the great resources in the SERC, but a new thought has popped up. What about creating a science kit that is very similar to our SIAS kits, but smaller...really small...something a parent can rent and complete in a weekend??? So- we let our minds wander a bit and then came back to the table with this new idea.
It will be smaller, have between 3 and 5 activities for each topic, still have the activity guides and the kits will have all the materials included (i.e. hand lenses, books, field guides...). And so Science In A SHOEBOX was born! We chose 3 kit topics from our SIAS kit list to start with: Rocks, Eco Explorers and From Seed to Plant. I have already started creating the prototype for the Rocks kit, now I have to create a little activity guide, gather ALL the materials for the kit, find a functional container for the kit and then show it off and see how it goes!
I am excited that we are going to be creating these mini-SIAS kits! They are going to be less expensive to rent then the SIAS kits and will hopefully be more functional for the average parent, babysitter or awesome parent whose child is having a birthday and has run out of ideas to keep the kids busy!!
So, right now I am at a stopping point with this little project. I am hopefully going to be able to take pictures soon and I will get them up so you will be able to see all of my works in progress!!
Now, I have some questions for you! Would you be interested in Science in a Shoebox? What kits or topics would you like to see us adapt for smaller groups? How many kids should Science in a Shoebox be set up for - is 5 kids enough, or should we provide enough materials for up to 8 kids? Let us know in the comments section!
It will be smaller, have between 3 and 5 activities for each topic, still have the activity guides and the kits will have all the materials included (i.e. hand lenses, books, field guides...). And so Science In A SHOEBOX was born! We chose 3 kit topics from our SIAS kit list to start with: Rocks, Eco Explorers and From Seed to Plant. I have already started creating the prototype for the Rocks kit, now I have to create a little activity guide, gather ALL the materials for the kit, find a functional container for the kit and then show it off and see how it goes!
I am excited that we are going to be creating these mini-SIAS kits! They are going to be less expensive to rent then the SIAS kits and will hopefully be more functional for the average parent, babysitter or awesome parent whose child is having a birthday and has run out of ideas to keep the kids busy!!
So, right now I am at a stopping point with this little project. I am hopefully going to be able to take pictures soon and I will get them up so you will be able to see all of my works in progress!!
Now, I have some questions for you! Would you be interested in Science in a Shoebox? What kits or topics would you like to see us adapt for smaller groups? How many kids should Science in a Shoebox be set up for - is 5 kids enough, or should we provide enough materials for up to 8 kids? Let us know in the comments section!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Citizen Science: TechShop is coming!
Labels: citizen science, diy, hobbies, ihra, museum, techshop
Hi everyone, Nancy here.
At the Museum, there is never a shortage of tinkering going on. Whether it be someone on the facilities staff trying to safely extract a broken bulb from a light fixture or the exhibits technicians working on the propulsion rocket exhibit or our staff mechanic maintaining our train engine, there are always opportunities to creatively solve problems and create new things.
Growing up, both my dad and older brother were both into working on cars and motorcycles. These days as a hobby, my brother still designs and builds engines for IHRA class dragsters. When dad wasn't doing automotive restoration, he indulged in other hobbies like building and repairing shortwave radios and telegraphs and woodworking. My mom was very patient and tolerant of all of the random things that entered our home and the things that never left...We had a spare room and a shop in our basement so there was plenty of space to work.
DIY and hobbies serve a lot of benefits for people. They can reduce stress, aid in problem-solving and memory retention and some projects can even save you money. Sometimes, ideas and materials can get so big that there isn't always space to work on them where you live. Enter a very cool concept called TechShop.
TechShop is a membership-based workshop that gives you and other creative people access to a wide variety of tools and equipment, expert training and classes on how to use them and introduces you to a wide community of people who like to think big and make cool things.
Check out the TechShop community website to learn more.
Stay tuned and stay curious,
-Nancy
At the Museum, there is never a shortage of tinkering going on. Whether it be someone on the facilities staff trying to safely extract a broken bulb from a light fixture or the exhibits technicians working on the propulsion rocket exhibit or our staff mechanic maintaining our train engine, there are always opportunities to creatively solve problems and create new things.
Growing up, both my dad and older brother were both into working on cars and motorcycles. These days as a hobby, my brother still designs and builds engines for IHRA class dragsters. When dad wasn't doing automotive restoration, he indulged in other hobbies like building and repairing shortwave radios and telegraphs and woodworking. My mom was very patient and tolerant of all of the random things that entered our home and the things that never left...We had a spare room and a shop in our basement so there was plenty of space to work.
DIY and hobbies serve a lot of benefits for people. They can reduce stress, aid in problem-solving and memory retention and some projects can even save you money. Sometimes, ideas and materials can get so big that there isn't always space to work on them where you live. Enter a very cool concept called TechShop.
TechShop is a membership-based workshop that gives you and other creative people access to a wide variety of tools and equipment, expert training and classes on how to use them and introduces you to a wide community of people who like to think big and make cool things.
Check out the TechShop community website to learn more.
Stay tuned and stay curious,
-Nancy
Monday, September 22, 2008
Kid Tidbit:Raise a Reader
Labels: 27704, dcl, durham county library, durham public schools, museum of life and science, Nancy, ncmls, reading, science education resource center
Hi Everyone, Nancy here.
One of things I love about working here at the Museum of Life and Science is that I am surrounded by great books both in my office (behind Play to Learn) and in the SERC. I love to read and it's so good to have access to resources that assist me in planning fun activities when I'm out in the community.
The Museum is pleased to be a community partner with the Durham County Library (DCL). Megan and I greeted library patrons and shared some butterfly experiences at the Summer Reading kickoff in June. You can learn more about the program by visiting the DCL's website. Also, Megan, Kristen and I have been spending part of our summer with patrons at the historic Bragtown branch, talking about all kinds of insects. The millipede, hissing cockroaches, crayfish and tarantula have been joining in on the fun too! Our last visit for the summer there was in August. We had a great time talking with the children about ladybird beetles or ladybugs as they are more commonly known. They play an important role in our butterfly house as they help eat all the aphids or plant lice off of the tropical plants. They serve as natural biocontrol so that there's no use of harmful chemicals.
Many of our books come from Scholastic Publishing. Their website is a great launching pad for families wanting to foster their children's interest in reading. There are suggested book lists for different age groups, activities, links to your child's classroom home page through Scholastic and tips on how to help with your child's education at each developmental stage and grade level. This is also a great site for caregivers, educators and librarians.
We have lots of great books available in the SERC for loan and you can visit your local library as well. You can even browse Durham County Library's catalog online.
Oops! My library books are actually due back soon! Thankfully, another service they provide is online renewal...
So many of our staff here are avid readers and swap books back and forth with each other. One of our departments even started their own book club!
"So many books, so little time."
-artist Edward Gorey
Stay tuned and stay curious,
-Nancy
One of things I love about working here at the Museum of Life and Science is that I am surrounded by great books both in my office (behind Play to Learn) and in the SERC. I love to read and it's so good to have access to resources that assist me in planning fun activities when I'm out in the community.
The Museum is pleased to be a community partner with the Durham County Library (DCL). Megan and I greeted library patrons and shared some butterfly experiences at the Summer Reading kickoff in June. You can learn more about the program by visiting the DCL's website. Also, Megan, Kristen and I have been spending part of our summer with patrons at the historic Bragtown branch, talking about all kinds of insects. The millipede, hissing cockroaches, crayfish and tarantula have been joining in on the fun too! Our last visit for the summer there was in August. We had a great time talking with the children about ladybird beetles or ladybugs as they are more commonly known. They play an important role in our butterfly house as they help eat all the aphids or plant lice off of the tropical plants. They serve as natural biocontrol so that there's no use of harmful chemicals.
Many of our books come from Scholastic Publishing. Their website is a great launching pad for families wanting to foster their children's interest in reading. There are suggested book lists for different age groups, activities, links to your child's classroom home page through Scholastic and tips on how to help with your child's education at each developmental stage and grade level. This is also a great site for caregivers, educators and librarians.
We have lots of great books available in the SERC for loan and you can visit your local library as well. You can even browse Durham County Library's catalog online.
Oops! My library books are actually due back soon! Thankfully, another service they provide is online renewal...
So many of our staff here are avid readers and swap books back and forth with each other. One of our departments even started their own book club!
"So many books, so little time."
-artist Edward Gorey
Stay tuned and stay curious,
-Nancy
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Kit Tidbit:Getting ready for a DPS kit rotation!
Labels: DPS, durham public schools, experiments, hands-on, kit tidbit, kits, museum, museum of life and science, nc, science, science kits, standard course of study
The resource center has so many functions! We are here for our own employees, our members, teachers, home schoolers and parents. We also work with Durham Public Schools (DPS) to supplement their science curriculum. The students get a chance to get down and dirty with science!!!
This is going to be a super quick overview of DPS's Science Initiative...I know you're excited :) The program works with Kindergarten through 6th grade. There are 4 kit topics per grade level, all are designed to target the NC Standard Course of Study. We (The Museum) help DPS by refurbishing all of these kits. The schools receive them on a rotational basis, and they will get all 4 kit titles each year. Every kit is unique, with everything needed for all the experiments from pencils and paper down to the gravel and animal cards!
One kit in every grade receives a title that is animal focused. This means that it comes with an animal card; which means when the teacher receives the kit, she will order his/her animals for that kit. They will come to him/her in the mail. These science kits are really cool and there's no better way to learn than to actually use your hands and do it!
So, we are getting ready for our third rotation this year, we have about 3 weeks to refurbish
A LOT of kits! We are making labels, counting supplies, shopping and getting mentally prepared to do this! It's a lot of work, but it is such an awesome program and that makes it totally worth it!
(This picture is of the first grade Solids and Liquids kit!)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Citizen Science: Light Up The Night
Labels: 27704, citizen science, fireflies, museum of life and science, Nancy, ncmls, science at home, science education, science education resource center
Hi everyone, Nancy here.
As the nights have been getting cooler, my family and I have been spending more time sitting outside together on our porch and I have noticed that we haven't seen as many fireflies or "lightning bugs" as my son calls them. We went out last night and took part in our usual ritual of catch and release but didn't end up finding very many. My son was perplexed as to why there weren't very many. My husband thought it had something to do with the temperature.
Megan (also of SERC fame) found a post about this initiative that the Boston Museum of Science is doing to track fireflies and learn more about why they seem to be disappearing. There is some great information on this site to help you get involved in this project. It is a great family science opportunity. Check it out!
Stay tuned and stay curious,
-Nancy
As the nights have been getting cooler, my family and I have been spending more time sitting outside together on our porch and I have noticed that we haven't seen as many fireflies or "lightning bugs" as my son calls them. We went out last night and took part in our usual ritual of catch and release but didn't end up finding very many. My son was perplexed as to why there weren't very many. My husband thought it had something to do with the temperature.
Megan (also of SERC fame) found a post about this initiative that the Boston Museum of Science is doing to track fireflies and learn more about why they seem to be disappearing. There is some great information on this site to help you get involved in this project. It is a great family science opportunity. Check it out!
Stay tuned and stay curious,
-Nancy
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Cool Tools: Another great resource!
Labels: 27704, books, cool tools, help with science projects, kristen, magic school bus, science activities, science education, science kits, science resource
As I have been working on our Science in a Shoebox kits, I have come across a few great websites full of science activities, recommended books, games and much more! The latest one is from the makers of The Magic School Bus, Scholastic.
This site is great! They have a different, easy, at home science experiment each week. They also give you opportunities to learn more about that topic! So, if you have a need for a great science activity...you should check it out!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Teachers In Need!
Labels: 27704, classroom materials, donors choose, durham public schools, kristen, museum of life and science, ncmls, science education
Hi guys! This post is a little off topic, but not really. I found this site as I was looking for more science resource websites to share with you! Its called DonorsChoose.
This site is designed for the teachers that need classroom materials and for the people who want to donate but don't know where to put their money! You might be in one of these situations yourself; you can scroll through other proposals, read stories, get ideas, submit your own project or donate to someone else's!
This could be a great idea for your child's school OR an idea for the teachers holiday gift!
If anyone post's or donates to this site, let us know so we keep track of the projects!
Thanks:)
Cool Tools: Teacher Tube!
Labels: 27704, bill nye, bill nye the scienc guy, cool tools, kristen, museum of life and science, science, science activities, science education, science guy, teacher tube
Have you ever needed a quick, easy and modern way to communicate something in your science class...like a video!?! This site is specifically designed for teachers and teachers only, it is called Teacher Tube. It has tons of videos ranging from this one (Bill Nye) to Schoolhouse Rock all the way to clips of teachers rapping about fractions!
There are many advantages to this website: there is no inappropriate content, you can post your own video clip, the information is useful & current. Sometimes it is nice to see how other teachers convey their ideas and principals on certain topics and materials.
I included this clip of Bill Nye because he has a fantastic way of teaching science concepts and relating it to real life...all through a tv! Enjoy this site and if anyone adds their own video, let me know! I would love to see how you are teaching science!
There are many advantages to this website: there is no inappropriate content, you can post your own video clip, the information is useful & current. Sometimes it is nice to see how other teachers convey their ideas and principals on certain topics and materials.
I included this clip of Bill Nye because he has a fantastic way of teaching science concepts and relating it to real life...all through a tv! Enjoy this site and if anyone adds their own video, let me know! I would love to see how you are teaching science!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Nice to meet you!
Labels: museum of life and science, science, science education resource centerGreetings friends!
Nancy here. Most of you have seen me out and about either at the Museum or out in the community sometime over the last 10 years. Many of you call me "the Museum Lady" and I have been proud to serve teachers, families and students in our Resource Center.
We hope our blog will be a launching point for you to make all kinds of science, math and life discoveries. We can't wait to hear about some of the cool things you have done and hope you'll share your experiences with us.
I haven't been the most computer savvy (but I'm excited to learn more!) and I'm certain some of you will sympathize with me as I begin my blogging journey. You have always been able to call, email me and come by and visit. Think of these posts as another way we can stay in touch.
Stay tuned and stay curious!
-Nancy
Nancy here. Most of you have seen me out and about either at the Museum or out in the community sometime over the last 10 years. Many of you call me "the Museum Lady" and I have been proud to serve teachers, families and students in our Resource Center.
We hope our blog will be a launching point for you to make all kinds of science, math and life discoveries. We can't wait to hear about some of the cool things you have done and hope you'll share your experiences with us.
I haven't been the most computer savvy (but I'm excited to learn more!) and I'm certain some of you will sympathize with me as I begin my blogging journey. You have always been able to call, email me and come by and visit. Think of these posts as another way we can stay in touch.
Stay tuned and stay curious!
-Nancy
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hello World - Welcome to the SERC!
Labels: 27704, help with science projects, kristen, museum, museum of life and science, ncmls, resource center, science, science education, science kits
Hi, Hey, Hello! My name is Kristen Wolfe. I am a Science Education Resource Center (SERC) Assistant at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC. I am creating a blog to tell people about the awesome resources we have available. Upcoming posts will talk about new things we are doing, interesting science topics and ideas from websites and community contacts. We want to be a general science contact for inquiring minds!!
In the weeks to come, there will be new posts from my colleagues. Until then, I want to tell you a little bit about Science in a Suitcase kits. They are a great RESOURCE for parents, teachers, home schoolers, babysitters or any one working with kids!! These age-specific kits are aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study - everything you need for a fantastic science experience is included! AND there are discounts for MEMBERS!!!:).
In the weeks to come, there will be new posts from my colleagues. Until then, I want to tell you a little bit about Science in a Suitcase kits. They are a great RESOURCE for parents, teachers, home schoolers, babysitters or any one working with kids!! These age-specific kits are aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study - everything you need for a fantastic science experience is included! AND there are discounts for MEMBERS!!!:).
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