One of the favorite things for some kids is Science Fair day. Kids, parents and teachers plan for weeks their projects and then let the anticipation grow until the big day! While some kids don't like science projects, it's mostly because they haven't found the right one. There are so many cool things you can do that count as science, and don't take too much time. Here's a few good ideas for each grade level just to get you started thinking about your own neat project!
2nd Grade: Create an insect collection to discover what types of insects live in your area. Or, put up a bird feeder and document what birds live in your area, and what their eating habits are - morning or night? What do they like to eat?
3rd Grade: Test out waterproof mascaras, to see if they are really waterproof or not. You could also put nails in different types of liquid, to see which ones rust metal the fastest.
4th Grade: Find out the answers to these questions for your science projects - Does adding salt to water really make it boil faster and hotter? Do certain shapes of ice cubes melt faster?
5th Grade: Test if different people can smell things better. Drink water through a straw, and then through two straws; figure out if you can drink more water this way, or the same as through one straw.
6th Grade through 8th Grade: Try figuring out if you can get pure water from salt water! Or try growing plants using different colors of light, and see which ones grow the best.
Doing science projects can be a lot of fun, and can teach you things you never knew before! These ideas should be able to get you started thinking about all the things you've always wanted to know. Make a list out of the things you are curious about, and then pick one for your science project. Try to guess what will happen before you do the project, and see if you are right about what will happen. And be sure to explain what you think happened.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Great Lakes Fire
The fabled Great Chicago Fire took place on October 8th, 1871. A lesser-known fact about the Chicago fire was that it took place at the same time as four other major fires around Lake Michigan. The largest of these fires was not the great Chicago fire, but one that took place in Peshtigo, Wisconsin.
This fire began with a cold front that blew in from the west. The cold, dry, low-blowing winds were enough to escalate some smaller, separate fires that were already burning to clear forest for farms and a railroad, and whip them into a catastrophe. By the time the fire stopped, 1,875 square miles (1.2 million acres) had been burnt. Estimates of the death toll of the Peshtigo fire reach 2,500, with more conservative estimates sitting around 1,200. The margin of error is so great because of the extent of the centralized damage. Hardly anyone was left alive to identify any bodies.
The extent of the blaze's strength was massive. More than just a conflagration, which is a fire that burns a lot of property or land like in Chicago, the fire in Peshtigo became a firestorm. A firestorm occurs when the updrafts of hot air are stacked so much (because of the fire's tremendous size) that the fire forms a self-sustaining and turbulent region of air around itself. The wind shear caused by the turbulence then creates small tornadoes on the fire's periphery, with winds strong enough to damage houses.
Because of the devastation recorded following the Peshtigo fire, it is believed that the firestorm was strong to produce a mesocyclone. Mesocyclones are the vortexes of air more commonly seen in the convective storms that breed full-sized tornadoes.
It is therefore believed that Peshtigo was leveled by a fire big enough to create tornadoes made of fire. To reiterate: fire tornadoes. Witnesses reported that they saw one throwing rail cars and houses into the air. Most of those that escaped the blaze managed to hide in the nearby river or wells.
It remains the deadliest fire in recorded American History.
This fire began with a cold front that blew in from the west. The cold, dry, low-blowing winds were enough to escalate some smaller, separate fires that were already burning to clear forest for farms and a railroad, and whip them into a catastrophe. By the time the fire stopped, 1,875 square miles (1.2 million acres) had been burnt. Estimates of the death toll of the Peshtigo fire reach 2,500, with more conservative estimates sitting around 1,200. The margin of error is so great because of the extent of the centralized damage. Hardly anyone was left alive to identify any bodies.
The extent of the blaze's strength was massive. More than just a conflagration, which is a fire that burns a lot of property or land like in Chicago, the fire in Peshtigo became a firestorm. A firestorm occurs when the updrafts of hot air are stacked so much (because of the fire's tremendous size) that the fire forms a self-sustaining and turbulent region of air around itself. The wind shear caused by the turbulence then creates small tornadoes on the fire's periphery, with winds strong enough to damage houses.
Because of the devastation recorded following the Peshtigo fire, it is believed that the firestorm was strong to produce a mesocyclone. Mesocyclones are the vortexes of air more commonly seen in the convective storms that breed full-sized tornadoes.
It is therefore believed that Peshtigo was leveled by a fire big enough to create tornadoes made of fire. To reiterate: fire tornadoes. Witnesses reported that they saw one throwing rail cars and houses into the air. Most of those that escaped the blaze managed to hide in the nearby river or wells.
It remains the deadliest fire in recorded American History.
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge, informally called as Cambridge University or Cambridge, is one of the famous universities in the world. It is the second oldest University in England and is considered as the fourth oldest in the world.
The legend has it that The University of Cambridge was founded in the year 1209. During that time, there were scholars who were escaping Oxford due to a fight they had with the locals. In 1231, King Henry III gave them a teaching monopoly.
The University of Cambridge produces famous writers, scientists, and politicians in Britain. The University has 31 college institutions. The first College is named Peterhouse and was founded in the year 1284 by the Bishop of Ely Hugh Balsham. During the 14th and 15th centuries, many other colleges were also founded. These colleges acted as independent institutions that are separated from Cambridge itself. These colleges have the autonomy to decide who to admit, have the responsibility when it comes to the welfare of their students, and over small group teaching.
In 1869, the first college institution for women was created - the Girton College. Three years later, another college institution for women was founded - the Newnham College. At first, only male students were admitted to Cambridge. In 1882, attempts were made to make women as full members of The University of Cambridge however, this failed. It was only in 1947, that women were made full members of Cambridge.
More than a century later, The Cambridge University is still considered one of the best universities in the world. It continues to produce famous students in the field of politics, science, and the arts.
The legend has it that The University of Cambridge was founded in the year 1209. During that time, there were scholars who were escaping Oxford due to a fight they had with the locals. In 1231, King Henry III gave them a teaching monopoly.
The University of Cambridge produces famous writers, scientists, and politicians in Britain. The University has 31 college institutions. The first College is named Peterhouse and was founded in the year 1284 by the Bishop of Ely Hugh Balsham. During the 14th and 15th centuries, many other colleges were also founded. These colleges acted as independent institutions that are separated from Cambridge itself. These colleges have the autonomy to decide who to admit, have the responsibility when it comes to the welfare of their students, and over small group teaching.
In 1869, the first college institution for women was created - the Girton College. Three years later, another college institution for women was founded - the Newnham College. At first, only male students were admitted to Cambridge. In 1882, attempts were made to make women as full members of The University of Cambridge however, this failed. It was only in 1947, that women were made full members of Cambridge.
More than a century later, The Cambridge University is still considered one of the best universities in the world. It continues to produce famous students in the field of politics, science, and the arts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)