What would happen if you microwaved a bar of soap?

Have you ever wondered? Well, we did and now we know!! It was so cool! "Now that is awesome!" said Peter-Leo. And Kody, well, she was just happy to push the door closed.

Here are some after photos.

Peter-Leo's monster blob!

Several piles of exploded soap, we did this experiment quite a few times!

We also learned some soap, like this one with glynerine (sp?) did not explode very well.

What a stellar science day!!

chemistry continues...

What foray into chemistry would be complete without the classic exploding volcano!! Remember, just ask Tia, put a towel down to catch the "eruption!" The kids had a blast with this one!

Peter-Leo and Kody adding vineager and baking soda...I think they did that about 20 times!!

Peter-Leo and Kody (that's her arm anyways) reaching in and pulling out things they put in there. Like marshmellows, noodles, coins etc... I think he thought they would rise up and out of the glass with the foam...they didn't hence the tongs.

Our next experiment turned out great too. Especially because Peter-Leo wanted to do more, try other colors and stayed focused! It was called Color Chromatography, the seperating of pigments from ink.

Peter-Leo sits proudly in front of his window of chromatography experiments!

Peter-Leo dropping water into each bag.

The first row of black chromatography bags....that sparked his interest in other colors.

I wish I had a better camera to show you the very "cool" colors that came out of this black marker. The blue was a very intense turquiose color.

And finally, what blog entry would be complete without a couple goofy photos of Kody...just being herself!

In light of my birthday we had cupcakes, Kody absolutely enjoyed every bit of frosting!!

Later that night, Grandpa Roy called and Kody had to get on the phone and chat...frosting face and ice cream cone included!

Chemistry begins!!

And so begins another fun week during the SUMMER OF SCIENCE!!! And while these first three photos aren't really part of chemisty week...they are just fun!

These are of the kids swimming in a kiddie pool of bubbles! They has so much fun!

No summer would be complete without a visit from Capt'n Underpants!!

Ok, so kid chemisty begins... we decided to talk about changes in matter... ie solid to liquid...and I found a recipe of candy eyeballs that did just that!!

Here the three of us- I am showing them how to roll the eyeball and decorate it!

Here they are touching my example eyeball! Peter-Leo was kind of grossed out by it.

Kody, however, was thrilled and couldn't wait to start!

I even force Monty to make one...now I see why he didn't want to...he stinks!!

Monty's eyeball.

My eyeballs...although that might of been what they actually looked like earlier this week!

The eyes are watching you!! The red one on top is Peter-Leo's, Kody ate hers, Monty's green one is in the top row as well. And I made the rest....even the huge t-rex eyeball!!

end of simple machines and a video by Peter-Leo

And so simple machines week comes to a close...but not without a challenge. Peter-Leo decided he wanted to do an experiment all on his own. He found a picture of one and set it up! Enjoy the video of Peter-Leo explaining it!

Ranisate Regatta

I think we are going to start another tradition-a boat race! As another project, Peter-Leo and I made mini paddle boats and raced them in our tiny wading pool! He made some very good observations about which way to wind it, how much to wind it and how fast it went according to how much you wound it. How the waves hitting the bow slowed down the spinning in the back-making it work 'harder.' It is amazing how fast he is connecting things! Peter-Leo's boat, which has gone through several name changes, so I am not sure what to call it!

Peter-Leo winding up the paddle on his boat, before another race.

We hope you've enjoy today's race!

Simple Machines:First Flights

Today we talked more about electronics and how they were powered. We then turned our discussion to wind power, better for the Earth. And we made "Twirly Birds" This simple toy helicopter twirls in a spiral as it drops, using the air and it's blades to help slowly lower it to the ground! THE POWER OF WIND!!

Here is a video of Peter-Leo's twirly bird and just a warning...I can't figure out how to turn the video right side up...so you just have to tilt your head! ENJOY!

Here are some pictures of me and Peter-Leo doing our first flight!

It's the beginning of another summer in our home and that means another theme! This summer to keep with Peter-Leo's interest in science...we are doing a SUMMER OF SCIENCE!! Last week we did caves and bats (built our own caves, learned about bat hearing and nocturnal animals.) This week (and maybe into next) we are doing machines and electricity! So, against Monty's whining, I have set up a machine center where the kids are taking apart an old CPU and DVD player. I know my old (and still favorite department head) Mrs. H would be laughing at me and proud at the same time! I'll add more post and pictures at the end of the week or so.

Our machine center and the kids gearing up...although they did take it off after 5 minutes.

I am just thrilled that they really tore into the machines, it made reading the books more interesting.