Cool Tools: Guess What I got!!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone, Nancy here.

We've been busy getting science kits together for the third quarter rotation for Durham Public Schools. Third quarter is often an exciting time for the students to do their hands on science as many schools are preparing for their Spring Science Fairs and the kits provide a lot of inspiration for topics for experiments. The SERC is always here to help. We have lots of curriculum ideas and equipment that is available for loan to help families save money when preparing these projects. Hit us up on the Museum's website and let us know how we can help.

Now, on to less serious business...

I got a puppy!!! My family and I are already proud pet parents of a rescued cat and dog but there is always room for more. We opened our home to an adorable puggle in December. Now, it would have been helpful as a museum professional who regularly researches and handles animals to learn a little more about the breed other than "ain't it cute". When we met her "parents" and her human caregivers, we saw how demure and well-behaved she was. When we said goodbyes to her humans, the last thing her "paw-paw" said to me was, "Y'all enjoy her now. She's cute but she's a mess." Huh?

The first night was glorious. She was so sweet and cuddly. She went to bed in her crate without issue and slept the whole night through and stayed dry! The next day, she was a little bit more curious about the house and was showing a more playful side. Bedtime came again and it took her a while to settle down but she slept again through the night. The next morning, I was awoken to an ear-shattering howl that matched pitch and volume of out lovely red wolves on campus. The honeymoon was over. Now girlfriend has made herself to home and helped herself to many of my shoes. Research ahead of time would have alerted me to the fact that these dogs are playful (understatement) and biters and chewers.

She loves toys but had a particular affinity for a homemade one. Here's where your cool tool comes in: there are lots of great posts on our Department Blog about Enrichment and this is an activity that Kristen and another staff member put together for our animal event two years ago. Best of all, it works!!!

Dog Toy (tested by my dogs)
-Take a clean long tube style athletic sock and stretch it out a few times. (My son is constantly losing mates to his socks so we have a ready supply to keep making these at home.)
-Stuff a handful of unwashed sheep's wool into the bottom of the sock. (This ingredient is a little unique but the SERC has plenty from the last shearing in our farmyard so give us a call) The scent is pungent and very interesting to the dogs.
-Next, take an old tennis ball and stuff that into the sock as well. This provides something for them to sink their teeth into.
-Finally, tie the end of the sock off into a knot just above the tennis ball, leaving enough slack for you to hold on! They love playing tug of war with one of us or each other and they never seem to get bored. (unless it's time to eat) This has saved the rest of my shoes from oblivion.

Try this out! Let us know how your pups like it! We have lots of other enrichment ideas and crafts for other pets too.

Stay tuned and stay curious and enjoy your pets,
-Nancy

Citizen Science: 2009 Year of Science (YoS)

YAY! YoS, finally a whole year dedicated to learning, teaching, communicating and discovering more about science!  I am very excited about 2009:)

To many teachers and parents science can be a little bit over whelming and understandably so...but if you break it down to the fundamentals, it is pretty easy to develop a child's curiosity and desire to investigate and learn more about science.  

The scienctists behind YoS have set out to make science easy and fun to communicate to one another. They have broken science down into 12 topics, one per month, then into grade groups, giving examples of activites, images, teacher resources and assesment tools...these folks have really covered their bases!  

January's topic is : Process and Nature of Science; Communicating Science.  The title sounds a bit long and once again over whelming....but use this flow chart to help you discuss science with your kids.  Start by asking them what they want to learn about (science related), read them stories about that topic and about the scientists involved.  Ask them questions to get their wheels spining, try to re-create the experiment or do an activity that goes along with their topic.  

You can rent a Science in a Suitcase kit that includes activities and materials already prepped and gathered, our Schoolyard Science kit  would be GREAT for understanding the nature of science & communicating science!!  If you would like to set up an appointment to come in and see the resource center, email me at kristenw@ncmls.org.  

I will be back to talk about Febuary's topic:  Evolution.  If you have any Evolution activities that you would like to share, please do so! 

Citizen Science: 2009 Year of the Gorilla (YoG)

Welcome 2009!  We in the science community have long been waiting your arrival.  If you didn't know, 2009 is going to be a big year for science; it is Year of the Gorilla and the Year of Science!

But first, YoG!  There is a huge push to protect our last remaining gorillas, their habitat and to secure a place for their future in our future.  There are many who advocated for this cause including; Jane Goodall, World Assocation of Zoos and Aquariums, the Convention on Migratory Species and many others.

There are many ways in which you can become involved in this global project!  First is to educate yourself about the species, become knowledgable about what challenges are facing gorillas, read The Gorilla Agreement, donate to the fund or purchase a cute stuffed gorilla!   

And for you educators, here is a great information page including links and questions for your students!  And if you are feeling extra inventive, you could even make a gorilla Jeporady game!

I will be talking more about YoG, as well as The Year of Science 2009 in the coming weeks!  So, keep checking back for more information...and if you have anything that you would like to add or discuss- feel free to leave a comment or email me!