Second grade botanists investigated flowers in lab. After learning about the parts of a complete flower, we dissected a flower and used our hand lenses to observe the sepals, pistils, stamens, and ovaries. We know that the pollen on the stamens needs to find its way to the pistil, so that seeds can develop in the ovary. We sliced the ovaries open and found the small seeds. Ovaries on some plants grow into fruit. Discussion led to the role of pollinators. We also sliced the stems and water squirted out. The green color on our papers is chlorophyll and the pink is the pigment from the petals. Click here to watch an informative video about flowers.

After a lesson about the parts and life cycle of a sunflower, my youngest scientists planted a sunflower seed. How long will it be before they sprout? Click here to watch a sunflower grow.

PreK scientists are studying fall plants, so we took a moment to look at some of the fall plants in the science lab.

The sunflowers in our root-vue have just begin to sprout!

There was a spectacular sunrise this morning! What a beautiful way to begin a Monday morning!

Fourth grade scientists began lab with illusions.

Click here to learn how to make one of these at home.

After learning the difference between convex and concave, we noticed that our reflection was upside down on the concave side of a spoon and right side up on the convex side. Then we investigated mirascopes. The Mirascope uses two concave, parabolic mirrors, to create a holographic image. The images look completely real- but you can’t touch them! A small object placed on the bottom appears to be on top, but you can put your finger through it. My scientists had fun trying a variety of small objects. Click here for more information.

We investigated iridescence with centripetal spinners. Click here to learn more.

My PreK scientists began lab with a lesson about camouflage. Then we played a camouflage game in which they had to search for paper lizards around the science lab. We experienced how difficult it is to find an animal on an object that is the same color.

Play this game at home. Use camouflage to hide objects (Legos, stuffed animals, or small toys) around your home.

Can you find Luke, our tree frog?

We also met our new millipedes- Lily, Millie, and Jilly. See a previous post for more information about these interesting creatures!

I can always tell when PreK has left the room. 🙂

To support kindergarten’s unit about the farm, this lab focused on corn. We learned the parts of a corn plant (leaf, stalk, and tassel) and the parts of an ear of corn (husk, cob, kernel, and silk). We scraped the kernels off the cob and broke a cob in half to see what was inside.

Then we “planted” corn kernels in a see-through pot. How long will it be before they sprout?

Watch these corn kernels grow! Click here.

Remember that egg we placed in vinegar last week? The shell is gone and the egg bounces!

When I went to the National Science Conference last spring, I participated in a Bug Chicks workshop. After holding a millipede, I decided I wanted some for the lab. These female entomologists recommend ordering insects and arachnids from Bugs In Cyberspace. Our three American millipedes arrived in the mail from Oregon this week. Fourth graders were the first to meet Lily, Millie, and Jilly.

Each class will learn about the body parts, life cycle, and habitat of millipedes. We also learned the difference between centipedes and millipedes. Centipedes are unsafe to handle.

Love my doc camera!

Click here to watch an interesting video about desert centipedes and millipedes.