Sciencing with Mrs. Ford the Science Lord

The wonder of DNA - it controls everything your body does and how it looks. You can’t see it without a microscope…or maybe you can!  DNA fills every cell in our body. We can’t even see individual cells without a microscope but this lab allows you to extract DNA from cells, get it to clump together so that you can see it without a microscope.  Of course you will not see the famous double helix structure but students are always amazed with this experience! I have used this format for Open Sci Ed 8.5 Genetics, the Junior Girl Scout Detective badge and the Cadette Special Agent Badge. Material Notes -  Small plastic cup Large plastic cup Coffee filters Large popsicle stick Coffee stirrer or other small straw Salt Soap Water Graduated cylinder (or other measuring instrument) Ziplock bag  Strawberry (I used defrosted strawberries, I have seen kiwi and banana also be successful) 91% isopropyl alcohol - store in the FREEZER and take out right before needed I make trays for s...

Students are always excited when they get to do something that they perceive as difficult. Splitting a water molecule sounds pretty complicated! In reality this is a pretty simple process. As a teacher who is two years through Open Sci Ed implementation, I am always looking for opportunities for students to do a little more because in some instances the curriculum can get a little discussion and observation heavy. The electrolysis demonstration in 7.1 Lesson 10 was a perfect opportunity for students to complete the set up and observe the process. My challenge was to come up with a simple set up using materials that were easy to obtain and inexpensive. Material Notes (per set up) 8 oz plastic cup - clear works best for easy viewing 2 thumb tacks Styrofoam - I just used some form a package we received Masking tape 9V battery Distilled or deionized water Magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) 2 test tubes (150mm) with stoppers Test tube tongs Matches or lighter Wooden splints The Set-Up Step...

  The Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world, but there are many tall buildings across the globe that are considered to be architectural wonders and there is a constant battle to build these structures that are taller and taller.  While there are a variety of materials that I have seen used to challenge students to create tall structures, I have found some very simple materials that allow students to build towers from floor to ceiling. Material List and Notes -  Index cards Masking tape Coffee stirrers Newspaper Tennis balls Scissors Prior to the Challenge -  Before students get into the meat of this challenge, I have them discover the strength of shapes.  The challenge is to use 4 index cards and 12 inches of tape to build a structure that can hold a textbook at least one inch off the table.  After students are able to do this, we start adding more textbooks until the structure crumbles.  I do allow students to use scissors, but I...

  Hands down - dissection is one of the most requested in my science classroom.  The kids want to experience it and it is listed as a favorite activity year after year.  My favorite dissection that I do with kids is a cow eye!  I have used this lesson as a part of a unit on the ye in a medical science class, and now with the implementation of OpenSciEd I use it as a part of 6.1 - Light and Matter. Material Notes -  Cow Eye: I get these from the butcher; they charge me $1 each. You can also get them from a science supplier (such as Carolina), but I do not prefer it because they remove so much of the fat and muscle. Dissection Tools: Students will need tweezers, dissection scissors and a scalpel (used VERY briefly). Tray:  Just about anything will do to perform the dissection on - dissection tray, meat tray, even a thicker paper plate will do. Personal Safety: Students should wear gloves and goggles at the minimum.  I also highly recommend lab coats or a...

Building a flashlight from common and recyclable materials is a fun way to build a circuit, and every student can take it home with them!  Construction is pretty simple but it sometimes takes a little troubleshooting because strong connections between all the parts is essential to making this work! Material Notes -  Cardboard: I just cut up a shipping or paper box into strips. Christmas lights: Use a BROKEN strand; there is no reason to use working lights because you are going to cut them up.  For each light you are going to need a light with wire tails and a length of wire.  Each end of both components will need to be stripped.  I like a wire stripping tool but you can do it with scissors. Battery:  Use a AA or AAA, larger batteries have the potential to generate too much heat. Large Paper Clip Brads: you will need 2 Skewer: This will not be a part of the final product but it will allow you to put a hole in the cardboard for the brad. Procedure -  STE...

Sea monkeys - the popular pet of the 1960s and 70s.  They allowed kids to see “instant life” which is what the founders originally called their product when released in 1957.  Students are still fascinated by these creatures and they lend themselves well to excitement in the classroom. Introducing the Lesson -  I show students a video of brine shrimp under the microscope.  While watching they make observations, inferences and ask questions - anything besides what are they? You can certainly just hatch some brine shrimp and let the kids look at them under the microscope, but I like to put a scientific spin and make it a little more.  This is my student handout , and all my teacher tips are below.   Material Notes -  De-chlorinated water: My husband is a big fish tank enthusiast so I use his reverse osmosis water, but you can just get water from the tap - just leave it out a few days before use. Salt: Again my husband comes in handy with these fish ...