May 14

Air and Wind

I recently vacationed on Hilton Head Island and noticed these trees bent over by the wind. Use this photo, a natural phenomenon, to open a unit on air and wind (always a favorite study of mine.)

What causes wind? Watch full screen.

Where will you find the windiest places on Earth? Watch full screen.

Add these fiction picture books for your young scientists to your study. Watch full screen.

Watch full screen.

A classic:

Pre-Owned Gilberto And the Wind (Picture Puffin Books) Paperback

And a STEM non-fiction story that was also made into a movie for older scientists – Watch full screen.

Related Posts

Air Labs

Water and Air and More Water and Air

Ripples

Rotocopters

Vortex

Parachutes  and More Parachutes

Hot Air Balloons and Blimps

Airplane Lab

Hi blog family, I will be away from my laptop for a few weeks, but I will be back!

Category: Engineering, Reading, Science | LEAVE A COMMENT
May 11

So Many Shells!

Many families travel to beach destinations during Spring Break or visit the shore during the summer, so what a meaningful time for a hands-on experience with shells.

I shared my collection of shells with ColLab science students. Learning objectives included:

  • What is a shell?
  • Identify and sort gastropods and bivalves.
  • Name and identify common shells.
  • Classify shells using a variety of attributes.
  • Explain why some shells have holes drilled in them.


Were you told that you can hear the ocean in a shell? Is that true? Watch the following video to learn the answer.

Watch full screen.

Related Posts

Why Do These Shells Have Holes?

Shell Study

Mollusks

Gastropods and Bivalves

Spirals

Ocean Lab

Snails, More Snails, And Even More

Shells and Hermit Crabs. More Hermit Crabs

Beach Trip

Category: Reading, Science | LEAVE A COMMENT
May 6

Confederate or Star Jasmine

I could smell this flower before I saw it, and the fragrance was unmistakable. The Confederate or Star Jasmine, common in Southern gardens, has star-like blossoms accented by dark green evergreen foliage. This fast-growing, low maintenance vine blooms in the spring and summer. A versatile plant, it can be used as a living fence, planted in a container, or used as a ground cover. It is native to Southeast Asia but has become a Southern favorite! Fun Fact: Despite its name, it is not a true jasmine.

Watch full screen.

Category: Science | LEAVE A COMMENT
May 4

An Amazing Experience

A storm was approaching, so I only had a short time to visit this remarkable rookery, just off the road in Port Royal, South Carolina. I was captivated at the sight of over 800 nests built by wading birds, such as storks, egrets, spoonbills, and herons. I could have spent hours watching them and words are inaccurate. It was a wonder-filled experience, and a must see for nature lovers, bird watchers, and photographers!!


The waters around the island held hungry alligators.

The symphony of bird songs filled the air.


Find videos of this experience on my IG page @pbright2.

Related Post

Great Blue Heron

Category: Science | LEAVE A COMMENT