Cranks and Cams
November 2013 E4 Conference sponsored by
The WORKS Museum
We’re building Cranky Boxes, also known as Automata, from milk cartons, chopsticks, and other leftovers.
Playing With Your Food
How strong is a pretzel? How stretchy is a gummy worm? Find out how to measure wonderful properties of foods HERE.
The Artsy Parts of Science
Anyone can MIX colors, but how do you UN-mix them? Learn about colors in soap films and make some oobleck and play clay. Notes HERE.
Dry Ice in Your Classroom
Nine ideas HERE for using solid carbon dioxide for wonderful effects. BE SURE you follow safety precautions in the notes!
Art AND Science AND Literature AND Engineering
I’m an integrator, mixing lots of ideas together, so my playshops tend to spin off in many directions. I’m also happy to share notes written for these past events. Click on a link to read and /or print them.
Do it, Read it, Write it
We mix up a simple experiment with a read-aloud picture book and a fun writing exercise. Notes HERE.
Harry Potter ScienceYou’ll find lots of chemistry here, for teachers with experience handling chemicals. All experiments are safe to do with your students, I promise! Powerpoint slides HERE and how-to notes HERE.
Kids Just Gotta Build
Notes HERE on making tops, Jiggle Bots, marble mazes, and more with notes on tricky bits and web links.
I love working with teachers, home-schooling adults, and other mentors for curious children. Why do we call these events teacher WORKshops? In honor of a 5-year-old engineer I know, let’s call them PLAYshops now! After all, our whole job is having fun with science.
I regularly participate in professional development opportunities through organizations such as Minnesota Science Teachers’ Association, The WORKS Museum, and Minnesota Homeschoolers Association.
I can also design staff development playshops especially for you with topics of your choice at times that fit your needs. You can learn new skills, ask questions with your peers, and immediately apply your new ideas with your students.
Let’s play together!
