What's the Temperature?

Our first step in the study of Meteorology: Make a thermometer to help understand how they work! Here's a few pics of the Pioneers constructing an alcohol thermometer. We'll be making several instruments to put together our own weather station and we will be monitoring the weather for the next several months. Keep tuning in to see what experiments we come up with and what we learn about the weather and how it TRANSITIONS.

 First, mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol.

 Then, pour them into a bottle.

 Add food coloring.

 Afix a straw in the bottle, using clay to keep it from touching the bottom.

Finally, heat up the air inside with your hands to see what happens!

Bringing Revolutionary Times to Life

We were very lucky to have Lt. Col. (Retired) Bob O'Neal from the Sons of the American Revolution come visit us recently to show us what life was like during revolutionary times. He came dressed as a minuteman and showed us many artifacts soldiers would have used during the Revolutionary War. He also talked about the many different flags that flew over different battles and showed us how to cut a 5-pointed star. Here's what the Pioneers had to say about his visit:

"I liked when we got to pass around the items." -R.L.
"I learned that lanterns were made of tin. I also liked the cow horn cup!" J.G.
"I liked the one-cut star. I also learned that they had to scrape the tea off [of a hardened cake of tea]." C.S.
"I liked the horn cup. It smelled bad but it was cool." -J.C.
'I liked a lot. I learned a lot." J.F.
"I liked it when you made the one-cut star. I learned that Colonial times were hard to live in." -K.F.

Happy Halloween!

Spooky art, spooky decorations, spooky costumes ... and a whole lot of fun! Thanks, everyone, for a great Halloween celebration!