Sharing Science with Our Little Guy!

As a chemist who works a full-time job away from my child, I really want to teach him (them) about what Mommy does when she's away, of course the big picture of science.  I am also the local section chair-elect (will be chair in 2012) of the American Chemical Society.

It is scary for me to think of the current state of the science and math education children are receiving... this is not knocking any teachers out there by any means, I am good friends with many amazing teachers.  (You can view the posts of my math teacher friend providing new ways to teach math here and their YouTube channel is here).  I am of the opinion that overall the amount of science offered is simply not enough, and the content tends to be incorrectly focused, leading to a decline in the interest our children have in pursuing further education and careers in science.  These are just some of the reasons why I will provide extra encouragement my children to learn, understand and most importantly, enjoy science.

We recently received free passes to our local science museum called COSI from my work... Matt and I had both been there as kids, but it had moved a number of years ago to its current location.  Here are some adorable picture of Jack enjoying the day:

A little bit about the power of flowing water!

Playing a piano of which the keys played sounds the human body makes... I'm sure in a few years we'll have to avoid this due to the silliness it will bring out in my little boy.

A giant water table with pieces he could mix and match to direct the flow of water as it moved downstream.

Jack the builder... the boy could hammer and build all day!  Future engineer?

I simply love this picture... when I was in junior high I volunteered at a natural history museum where volunteers were known as "Lab Rats".  It was an amazing experience that really took me out of my comfort zone when I got to go spelunking (caving) multiple times and it helped spark my love of science!

I was pleasantly reminded by a coworker that Mole Day (October 23rd) is only 3 days before baby #2's due date... and yes, I am so nerdy that I am hoping that he or she will make their entrance into this world that day!

You can view some of my previous posts on chemistry here, one of the first posts I wrote included some kid-friendly activities.

What are some of the ways that you see science daily and share it with your children?

International Year of Chemistry on Jeopardy Tonight!

Be sure to check out tonight's Jeopardy episode which will feature answers related to 2011 International Year of Chemistry (IYC).

To find your local air time, visit the Jeopardy website and click on "When to Watch." 

For more information about the International Year of Chemistry, check out www.acs.org/iyc2011 or http://www.chemistry2011.org/.  You can also read my previous blog entry on the topic.

A Day Without Chemistry

I am currently at a training session for the American Chemical Society as I am the chair-elect for my local section. This was shown to everyone last night and I love it! Just a little food for thought, the things we wouldn't be able to do or understand without chemistry!

ACS Local Section

Well, its official!  I'm the chair-elect for the Columbus section of the American Chemical Society.  The election results were announced earlier this week... now before you think this is such a huge feat, understand that I was coerced into running because they had no one else.  They tried to say it'll be good for the section, and I really hope that I will benefit the section, but let's be honest... they are running out of people.

I'm really hoping that I can help do some different things for the section, but we shall see... chemists and scientists are notoriously stuck in their ways, creatures of habit if you will!  I was elected to chair-elect, which basically means I'm "in training" this coming year (2011) and actually chair of the section the following year (2012).

If you'd like to check out the Columbus local section website, please do so here.  We are a section that is very active in the community (compared to others, from what I hear) and I have had many good experiences from being a member.

Happy Mole Day & Kid Friendly Experiment #2

Happy Mole Day to you all!!  You can read my little tidbit on Mole Day in my post from earlier this week.

On Thursday evening, I went to the monthly American Chemical Society meeting for the Columbus section.  We have one member who is extremely dedicated to all of the teaching & philanthropy that our section does, he is always bringing kid friendly demos or experiments to show us!  Since this year's theme is "Behind the Scenes with Chemistry" they have provided an experiment to make Iron Tannate ink, so kids can feel like they are writing like Harry Potter!  I got all of the following instructions from the National Chemistry Week "Celebrating Chemistry" newsletter (with my suggestions/changes in blue); you can find an electronic copy here.  Big caution to those who may choose to do this: THE INK CREATED IS PERMANENT AND WILL NOT WASH OUT OF CLOTHES!

Supplies needed:

• 2 mugs, teacups or small glass bowls (you need to have something that won't get stained by coffee or tea)
• Boiling water (for adults only to do please!)
• 1 tea bag (black tea, which has more tannins for the chemical reaction)
• 1 iron (ferrous) sulfate tablet (a supplement you can get from the grocery store)
• Mortar & pestle (okay, most people don't have this lying around the house, you simply need something to crush the iron sulfate tablet into a powder)
• Measuring cup
• Small storage container (I'd recommend a glass baby food jar)

Instructions:

1. ADULT: Put the black tea bag into your first mug, add 2 tablespoons of boiling water & make a very strong tea (removed tea bag when finished).
2. Label your small storage container with  your name, the date, & "Iron Tannate Ink"
3. If your iron sulfate tablets are coated, wash the coating off under running water & then dry the tablet.
4. Crush the iron sulfate tablet using your mortar or pestle (they suggest a glass jar in a mug as a comparable replacement) into a powder.
5. Add the iron sulfate powder to the tea; watch for it to go from a brown liquid to a dark brown or black liquid.
6. Transfer to your labeled storage container to be used with a fountain ink pen or quill (if you want to feel like Harry Potter).

About the reaction:
When tea is brewed, it is brown because of "tannins" (this compounds are also found in wine).  Tannins react with the iron from the iron sulfate tablets to form iron tannate which is actually a solid.  The solid particles are so small they stay suspended in the liquid very easily.  Small solid particles suspended in a liquid can be called a suspension concentrate.  The ink will get darker as it reacts with oxygen in the air, and if you use the ink to write on paper it may actually eat away at the paper after many years.

Since you are using food grade materials and no preservatives, your ink may grow mold eventually.  Throw it away when this happens.  Within the newsletter (using the link above) are instructions to make colorful or aged-looking paper.

Kid Friendly Experiment #1

There's always the classic vinegar and baking soda volcano to demonstrate chemical reactions to children.  Its fast & messy... add a little food coloring & you've got red lava!

One of my favorite ones is the Borax bouncy ball.  It is easy and can be made with things most people have in their home already.  I got the information from About.com:Chemistry but I'm adding my comments or suggestions in blue and took a few things out.

What you'll need:

•borax (found in the laundry section of the store)

•cornstarch (found in the baking section of the store)

•white glue (e.g., Elmer's glue - makes an opaque ball) or blue or clear school glue (makes a translucent ball)

•warm water

•food coloring (optional) (Moms beware, food coloring stains little hands so use sparingly!)

•measuring spoons

•spoon or craft stick to stir the mixture (I'd recommend using a disposable utensil because cleaning up can be a mess)

•2 small plastic cups or other containers for mixing

•marking pen

•watch with a second hand

•zip-lock plastic baggie

•newspaper or (disposable) plastic table cloth to cover the surface you're working on; not necessary but allows for easier clean-up

Procedure:

1. Label one cup 'Borax Solution' and the other cup 'Ball Mixture'.
2. Pour 2 tablespoons warm water and 1/2 teaspoon borax powder into the cup labeled 'Borax Solution'. Stir the mixture to dissolve the borax. Add food coloring, if desired.
3. Pour 1 tablespoon of glue into the cup labeled 'Ball Mixture'. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the borax solution you just made and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Do not stir. Allow the ingredients to interact on their own for 10-15 seconds and then stir them together to fully mix. Once the mixture becomes impossible to stir, take it out of the cup and start molding the ball with your hands.
4. The ball will start out sticky and messy, but will solidify as you knead it.
5. Once the ball is less sticky, go ahead and bounce it!
6. You can store your plastic ball in a sealed plastic bag when you are finished playing with it.

NOTE: Don't eat the materials used to make the ball or the ball itself.  Wash your work area, utensils, and hands when you have completed this activity.

Happy NCW!

 

Happy National Chemistry Week!

Happy National Chemistry week to you all!  I had all good intentions of posting on Sunday, but it just didn't happen.

Every year the American Chemical Society sponsors National Chemistry Week, this year's theme is "Behind the Scenes with Chemistry."  Every year National Chemistry week contains Mole day, October 23.  For those of you who might remember celebrating it in high school chemistry, at 6:02 on 10/23 represents Avogadro's number or 6.02 x 10^23.  Avogadro's number is the number of atom/molecules in 1 mole of a substance... hence Mole day!

If you're interested in participating in some local NCW activities check out the American Chemical Society's website here.  If there's not an active local section near you, head to the library to check out some chemistry books for your kids!  I'm going to try and post more this week on the exciting world of chemistry to celebrate!

International Year of Chemistry

While I don't really talk too much about chemistry, except for the fact that I'm a working mom as a chemist. I truly love chemistry, as dorky as that may make me!

Next year, 2011, has been declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations as the International Year of Chemistry!

It will coincide with the 100th anniversary of Madame Marie Curie receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. I feel this is such a beautiful coincidence as a woman in the field of science. I am lucky enough to work for a company balanced (from my point of view) in the employment of women in a research department, but I know there still may be discrepancies out there due to the majority of women not having much of an interest in the sciences.

If you are the parent, please encourage your children to pursue the sciences at some point in their life. Explore a local science museum, go to the library and borrow a book on chemistry experiments you can do in your kitchen, participate in school science fairs... the fun can be never ending! I have been involved in the American Chemical Society since I was in college getting my B.S. in chemistry and I know our group has been working with our local community to provide activities promoting chemistry, especially for next year's celebration. If you want to check out what your local section might be providing to your community please look it up at this website.

I have a couple of ideas on how I will celebrate the International Year of Chemistry on my blog, so stay tuned for some science themed posts next year! (If you have suggestions on chemistry themed posts, I'd be happy to hear them as well!)