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Peninsula Kids
Home»Education»Exploring the fun of science at home!
Education

Exploring the fun of science at home!

Updated:August 17, 20214 Mins Read
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By Renee Patchell
Moorooduc Primary School, Science Specialist

Why is the sky blue?, Why are leaves green?,

How do bees make honey?, Why does the moon change shape?

As parents of young children, we hear these questions and hundreds like them EVERY SINGLE DAY. And although sometimes we would rather just enjoy our cuppa in peace, this gives us great insight into how our children perceive the world. They observe and analyse far more than we do. According to child Psychologist Paul Harris, a child asks around 40,000 questions between the ages of two and five. By the time the child is four most of these questions are asked because they are seeking an explanation, not just a fact. Our little people don’t set out to annoy us; they genuinely want to know!

Embrace it. Nurture it. And most of all, ENJOY it! We are, after all, the luckiest parents of any generation – we have Google! Scientific thinking helps us make sense of our world. Its skills include making observations, asking questions, predicting, testing ideas, gathering results and coming to conclusions. It’s never too early to encourage these skills. We’re doing it every day without realising. Recognising when the opportunity for a little Science comes along will lead to hours of fun for you and your children.

As a Science Teacher, I am lucky enough to see the joy on kids’ faces as they see that vinegar volcano erupt or their circuit light a bulb. And while many of us think of Scientists as crazy white-haired men in lab coats and glasses, in reality they are all around us in our everyday lives. They are our vet, doctor, pharmacist, physiotherapist, park ranger, wine maker … the list goes on. Encourage your child to see that Science is all around them too. Explore how we get electricity, why chameleons change colour, why bears hibernate in winter. Take a magnifying glass into the backyard and look at parts of flowers, rocks or bugs.

On the Peninsula we are blessed with many places to explore and discover. Visit the Honey Farm for a bee talk, take a bushwalk at The Briars or Coolart Wetlands, visit the rockpools at Sorrento back beach or go to one of the public stargazing nights (first Friday of the month) held at the Briars by Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society. You can also visit the Melbourne Museum, Science works, zoos and wildlife parks. Remember to check out their websites before you go. They’re often full of information on current exhibits and provide activities for you to complete during or after your visit.

You can enjoy the fun at home too and its much simpler than you think. You really don’t need any special equipment. It’s all there waiting in your kitchen cupboard. It’s messy, but it’s fun and I can guarantee they’ll learn from it and remember it.

Visit the Science section of your local library where you will find great experiment books, look up ‘kitchen science for kids on Google or Pinterest and get experimenting!

These are some favourites from the Science Room at our school:

  • building vinegar and bi-carb soda volcanoes in the sandpit (take lots of ingredients – they won’t let you stop at one!)
  • making ice cream in a Ziploc bag (see below)
  • making butter with cream and a marble in a jar
  • creating an exploding lunch bag
  • making lava lamps
  • watching dancing raisins
  • layering liquids

If you’re game and have the space, there are many explosions you can try. Mentos and coke is always a favourite!

Older children can find or devise their own experiments. If they are keen for new Science knowledge, ‘How It’s Made’ is a fantastic series that can be accessed on YouTube. There are a wealth of episodes detailing the makings of things like Lego, silk, chocolate, gold, drag racing tyres, kaleidoscopes, airport runways etc etc.

Visit shops such as Jaycar and Australian Geographic and explore the many Science kits on offer. Solar cars, circuit kits, robot kits are sets that will be used over and over.


ICE CREAM IN A ZIPLOC BAG

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup cream
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ cup salt (rock salt works best)
  • Ice
  • 1 large zip lock bag and 1 small zip lock bag
Instructions:
  1. Fill the large zip lock bag ⅓ full with ice and add in the salt. Place a smaller zip lock bag inside and fill with the cream, vanilla & sugar.
  2. Seal up both zip lock bags tight. Wrap the bundle in a small towel and shake for 5 minutes or until ice cream forms (will be a soft-serve like consistency).

    Make sure you clean any salt from the small bag before you open!
  3. Serve & enjoy with your favourite toppings!

Science is an opportunity for everyone in the family to learn together. Enjoy!

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

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If this is your first experience of winter with a baby you might be wondering what you need to do to protect them from the elements. Babywearing is a wonderful start as you each warm the other. You can top that up with hats, mittens and booties but go easy with coats and suits. Rather than thick single garments, add an extra layer or two. Avoid bulky hoods which can restrict free head movement. Keep in mind, as you rug them up, that your body is a wonderful heat bank for your child. Light layers plus protection for the head, hands and feet is the way to go. You can pop “baby legs” leg warmers on to keep exposed legs warmer. Read more here: https://peninsulakids.com.au/baby-its-cold-outside/ Or via link to mag in bio. #babyitscoldoutside @peninsulakidsmagazine #lovepeninsulakids
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👀😮 Ooooh..this looks gooooood. Has anyone read the book? Betrayal and revenge come knocking on The Family Next Door this August! The ABC, Screen Australia and VicScreen are pleased to announce the thrilling six-part suburban mystery drama series The Family Next Door will premiere on Sunday 10 August at 8pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview. It’s peak holiday season in the popular seaside town of Osprey Point when an enigmatic stranger, Isabelle (Palmer) rents a family home in a quiet cul-de-sac. As Isabelle charms her way into her neighbours’ homes and lives, she quickly discovers that everyone at Pleasant Court has something to hide. How far will her obsessive drive to solve a mystery push her to expose the truth? Based on New York Times bestselling Australian author Sally Hepworth’s novel of the same name, this sophisticated and entertaining mystery blends drama and humour while exploring family dynamics through the unique lens of award-winning screenwriter Sarah Scheller (Strife, The Letdown) and Emma Freeman’s (The Newsreader, Interview with the Vampire) character-driven directorial skills. #abciview #sallyhepworth #thefamilynextdoor
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Bring the kids to experience live theatre at Frankston Arts Centre in August! An instant Australian classic, Beetle by Legs On The Wall tells the story of a child who finds a friend in her backyard; together they embark on an adventure to search for his family, the now elusive Christmas Beetle. The magic of the bush habitat is brought to life through Legs On The Wall’s trademark physical storytelling, and animation created from original artworks by beloved children’s author and illustrator Freya Blackwood. A tale of resilience and hope, Beetle reminds young audiences that there’s an important place in the world for all of us. Reminding us of the delicate balance of the natural world and that all things are connected. This charming, nostalgic and uniquely Australian show invites children and families to join the adventure, encountering larger than life beetles, stick insects, and other bush critters while finding out about the uncanny nature and delicate balance of the bush environment. See it on Friday 22 August at 11am or 6pm at Frankston Arts Centre. Tickets are available at thefac.com.au or by calling 03 9784 1060. #whatson #fac #kidstheatre #frankstonartscentre #beetlebylegsonthewall @the_fac
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Epson launches four new EcoTank printers as sales top 100 million and the company remains number one in large ink tank printer sales. EcoTank inkjet printers are world leaders in providing improved productivity for homes and small businesses for a number of reasons. Firstly, they come with up to two years’ worth of ink in the box, so you don’t need to worry about suddenly running out or constantly ordering replacements. This also means less user intervention due to fewer replaceable parts, giving you back time to invest in yourself and your business. There is zero warm-up time and a very fast first page out time with EcoTank printers and this, combined with their unique Heat-Free Technology, saves you time, energy, money and allows you greater flexibility for your home or small business. The new Epson EcoTank ET-4950, ET-3950, ET-3900 and ET-2950 printers come with a 24 month EcoTank Back to Base Warranty (12 month standard express warranty and an bonus additional 12 months upon registration) and are available now from https://www.epson.com.au/ecotank/, and all authorised Epson stockists. #epsonecotank #ad @epsonaust @Epson
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