This semester we will focus on learning about some of the most amazing extremes we currently understand. We will also focus on learning about the challenges and requirements for us to travel into space.
Experiments
Temperature - Temperature is a way of describing the energy of an atom or molecule. The more energy a particle has the faster it moves and the hotter it is. Temperature ranges from absolute zero (the point at which all movement of an atom stops) to trillions of degrees Fahrenheit (detected in the LHC). The kids will work to understand the difference in temperature from absolute zero to a supernova explosion and what changes occur in materials in various temperature ranges.
- Temperature Glossary
- Temperature (for Parents/Teachers)
Electronic Circuitry - Electronics are a part of much of our lives. Circuits control our watches to computers from simple toys to automobiles. In this lab the kids will learn about basic circuits and how to combine basic circuits to make more complex machines that can be used to perform different tasks.
- Electronic Circuitry Glossary
- Electronic Circuitry (for Parents/Teachers)
Fractals - Fractals are not only beautiful they are very useful in modeling chaotic or random phenomena such as galaxy and snowflake formation. From the extremely large to the extremely small fractals can be used to help people model and understand what is going on in the universe. In this lab we will look at the extremes that can be modeled using fractals. From there the kids will work to create their own fractals.
- Fractals Glossary
- Fractals (for Parents/Teachers)
Tardigrades - Life is amazing and can adapt in so many different ways. Tardigrades are some of the smallest animals on our planet. They have evolved and developed to live in every ecosystem on the planet. They are amazing enough that they have traveled into space and are thought to be able to survive the trip to Alpha Centari and back. In this lab we will learn all about the different adaptations animals from Tardigrades to Blue Whales
have undergone to live throughout the world.
- Tardigrades Glossary
- Tardigrades (for Teachers/Parents)
G-Force - G-force is the force that gravity exerts on a body, either when you are trying to escape it or when you are trapped by it. For us gravity keeps us on our planet. It is the force of gravity that binds the solar system together and makes a challenging force to overcome in order to explore space. In this lab the kids will work to protect eggs during reentry and will use an earthquake kit to approxite escape gravity and the force exerted on a system as it attempts to escape.
- G-force Glossary
- G-force (for Parents/Teachers)
Planets of the Sol Solar System - Did you know that our amazing sun has the name Sol? Or that our amazing son has many planetary objects that are in orbit around it? For centuries we have looked up at the stars and tracked the movement of the planets in the night sky. In this lab we will learn about the planetary plane and the varied size of the planets in relation to one another. We will work on a scale model of the solar system.
- Planets of the Sol Solar System Glossary
- Planets of the Sol Solar System (for Parents/Teachers)
Water Filtration - Water is one of the most powerful forces on the earth. It can
determine if a civilization survives or peters out. In order to travel in space you have a limited amount of fresh water that can be carried and will need to treat dirty water in order to reuse it. This lab will teach the kids how to filter dirty water in order to help make it safe to drink, thus allowing for water to be reused in space travel.
- Water Filtration Glossary
- Water Filtration (for Parents/Teachers)
Breathing - In space there is little matter including oxygen molecules. For us to survive we need oxygen to breathe and allow for proper cell function. In this lab we will learn about what we need to breathe and survive in different environments. Once we have learned about breathing we will construct a demonstration of how our lungs work.
- Breathing Glossary
- Breathing (for Parents/Teachers)
Color
- Did you know that light is made up of waves that can be different
sizes and speeds. These waves make up the different colors that we see
everyday. In this lab we will learn how white light is made up of all
the different color wavelengths, how objects absorb and refract
different wavelengths so that you see a certain color from that object,
and how to mix colors together to create other colors.
- Color Glossary
- Color (for Parents/Teachers)
Robotic Arm - As we explore the universe we need to develop machines that made using materials that are stronger and more resilient to various environments than we are. One of the keys in robotics is to develop robotics that have similar dexterity to human hands. In this lab students will be introduced to basic robotic requirements for dexterity and will build our own robotic hands that can be used.
- Robotic Arm glossary
- Robotic Arm (for Parents/Teachers)
Friction
- You may think I am talking about the friction between kids and their
parents when they reach that certain age (2) when they decide they are
right and their parents are wrong, but in this instance you would be
wrong. This lab discusses the force of friction that is ever present in
all motion carried out on planet. In this lab we will test all sorts of
different materials to see which have high friction and which have low
friction.
- Friction Glossary
- Friction (for Parents/Teachers)
Lightweight Food Production - For long-term space exploration the ability to grow food while in space is a necessity. One big issue is that soil weighs a huge amount and the weight can be prohibitive in taking the soil into space to grow food. Another method that requires less weight is to create soil-free planters. In this lab the kids will work to build their soil-free planter and see how their plant grows over time.
- Lightweight Food Production Glossary
- Lightweight Food Production (for Parents/Teachers)
Water Rocket - Although jet fuel and fire is super fun, it is not the safest thing for children to be working with. However there are safe ways for people to take flight. In this lab we will discuss the amazing ability of water pressure to lift heavy objects and shoot materials into the atmosphere. In this lab the kids will design and build their own water rockets, then have a launching competition (this lab will take two weeks to complete).
- Water Rocket Glossary
- Water Rocket (for Parents/Teachers)
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