Posts Tagged ‘safety’

See How Balloons are Made

January 7th, 2022

Balloon Headquarters

(www.balloonhq.com/faq/making.html)

Grades 3-12, with parental supervision

Ever wonder how latex and Mylar balloons are made? You can find out by taking a virtual field trip to this site.

When you get there scroll down a little and you can read a general overview and some Q&A’s about how balloons are manufactured. There are some photographs that help illustrate the text. You will discover how balloons are molded, how the rolled lip is formed, how they are colored and imprinted, and there is even information on how to make latex balloons at home! (Parental supervision is required!)

But don’t stop with the tour. This site has all kinds of fascinating and educational information about balloons (some more appropriate for high school level and beyond). When you finish the “tour” click on “The Guide” on the menu at the top of the screen. Look under the headline: The How’s and Why’s of Balloons. You will see a menu that offers:

  • How balloons are made – click on it to repeat the tour.
  • How helium-filled balloons float – includes a discussion of “Archimedes’ Principle.”
  • How balloons pop – an in-depth discussion of the effects of static electricity on balloons, an engineer’s explanation of stress on balloons, the molecule arrangement of balloons, and much more.
  • Balloon Science 101 – includes science discussion about balloons from the simple to the highly technical (for example: Stupid Human Tricks with balloons to Entropy and the 2nd law of thermodynamics as applied to latex).
  • Balloons and Teaching – a complete 6-week sample curriculum that covers balloon safety, twisting balloons, connecting balloons, making balloon sculptures, hats, and critters – and some interesting suggestions/experiments with balloons and dry ice.

You can also read all about the history of balloons and much more! This is a delightful site for the balloon aficionado in your family.

We also found a YouTube video of how balloons are made. Be sure to have a gross of balloons handy – the urge to inflate and pop will be overwhelming!

Discover this Archived Website Full of Science Videos!

September 5th, 2021

Vega Science Trust

(www.vega.org.uk/video/index.html)

Grades 6 and up, with parental supervision

This archived website offers free videos on science, technology, engineering and mathematics that provide a fundamental understanding of the principles of nature and the physical world.

When you get to the site you’ll see the video icon menu containing an archive of scientific videos which can all be viewed from this non-profit website. The videos cover a broad range of topics such as:

  • Interviews with Scientists – Including Nobel prize-winners in the fields of physics, medicine, chemistry, and more.
  • Careers in Science – Interviews with a biochemist, ecologist, entomologist, food scientist, cosmologist, computer engineer, quantum chemist, robotics engineer and more!
  • Issues of Concern – Scientists and politicians discuss their primary world concerns including climate change, malaria, etc.
  • Masterclass Science Videos – Scientists share their personal views on key concepts and achievements as well as their approach to the scientific method. Topics include bird flight, life in space, and states of matter.
  • The Next Big Thing – Scientists discuss antimatter, cloning, defying death, energy, artificial intelligence, safety of mobile phones, nanotechnology, and “The Theory of Everything!”
  • Educational Resources – A selection of short instructional films (for school or home study use) on wind power, electricity, transistors, nanotubes, bucky ball workshops, states of matter workshops (solids, liquids and gases) and more.

Scientists guided the development of the videos so that the content is presented in a natural and engaging way that is intellectually challenging.

Terrific Science Freebies

May 4th, 2021

Terrific Science

(www.terrificscience.org/freebies/)

Grades K-12, with parental supervision

 

This website, developed by two enthusiastic chemistry teachers named Mickey and Lynn, provides a wide assortment of free lessons and activities that teach students of all ages the scientific method through fun, hands-on investigations.

When you get to the site you’ll see a menu of the “Freebies” including:

  • Lesson and Lab Exchange – Get hundreds of free, downloadable science lessons for elementary, middle school, and high school students. These lessons run the gamut from teaching chemistry with glitter wands to an 8-part series on forensic science.
  • National Chemistry Week – Explore an archive of chemistry lessons and experiments offered during Chemistry Week in 2005-2008.
  • Health Science Resources – Enjoy hands-on activities that emphasize water safety, personal hygiene, indoor pollution, chemical safety, skin health, and information on drug-resistant bacteria.
  • Terrific Science Movies plus Activities – View a variety of movies (excerpts from the science teachers’ workshops) that include fun animations and activity demonstrations. Some of the movies have accompanying activity instructions.

When you’re through exploring the “Freebies,” poke around the rest of the website for additional information and resources on the art of teaching science.

Help kids make healthier lifestyle choices

October 20th, 2020

 

It’s Tuesday, October 20, 2020, and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

 

Recommended Website:

BAM! (Body and Mind)

(www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/bam/teachers.htm)

Age Range: 9-14 (Grades 4-8, with parental supervision)

 

Here’s a website that can help kids make healthier lifestyle choices. The units included are: 

  • CDC Basics
  • Nutrition
  • Physical Education and Activity
  • Health Conditions and Diseases
  • Disabilities and Birth Defects
  • Child Development
  • Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion
  • E-cigarettes and Alcohol

Then scroll down to the “Ask a Scientist” comic book series: 

  • How Does My Body Fight Disease?
  • How Do People Become Infected with Germs?
  • How Loud is Too Loud?

Also check out the link to Health Literacy Skills at the bottom.

Virtual Tour of Latex Balloon Factory

October 9th, 2020

 

It’s Friday, October 9, 2020, and time for a Virtual Field Trip at ClickSchooling!

 

Recommended Website:

Balloon Headquarters

(www.balloonhq.com/faq/making.html)

Age Range: 8-18 (Grades 3-12, with parental supervision)

 

Ever wonder how latex and Mylar balloons are made? You can find out by taking a virtual field trip to this site.

When you get there scroll down a little and you can read a general overview and some Q&A’s about how balloons are manufactured. There are some photographs that help illustrate the text. You will discover how balloons are molded, how the rolled lip is formed, how they are colored and imprinted, and there is even information on how to make latex balloons at home! (Parental supervision is required!)

But don’t stop with the tour. This site has all kinds of fascinating and educational information about balloons (some more appropriate for high school level and beyond). When you finish the “tour” click on “The Guide” on the menu at the top of the screen. Look under the headline: The How’s and Why’s of Balloons. You will see a menu that offers: 

  • How balloons are made – click on it to repeat the tour.
  • How helium-filled balloons float – includes a discussion of “Archimedes’ Principle.”
  • How balloons pop – an in-depth discussion of the effects of static electricity on balloons, an engineer’s explanation of stress on balloons, the molecule arrangement of balloons, and much more.
  • Balloon Science 101 – includes science discussion about balloons from the simple to the highly technical (for example: Stupid Human Tricks with balloons to Entropy and the 2nd law of thermodynamics as applied to latex).
  • Balloons and Teaching – A complete 6-week sample curriculum that covers balloon safety, twisting balloons, connecting balloons, making balloon sculptures, hats, and critters – and some interesting suggestions/experiments with balloons and dry ice.

You can also read all about the history of balloons and much more! This is a delightful site for the balloon aficionado in your family. 


We also found a YouTube video of how balloons are made. Be sure to have a gross of balloons handy – the urge to inflate and pop will be overwhelming!

Energizing Power Plant Tour

April 24th, 2020

 

It’s Friday, April 24, 2020, and time for a Virtual Field Trip at ClickSchooling!

 

Recommended Website:

Virtual Power Plant Tour

(energyclassroom.com/energy-classroom/virtual-power-plant-tour/)

Age Range: 8-10 (Grades 3-5, with parental supervision)

 

We use energy every day but do we understand how it is made and where it comes from? With this fascinating virtual tour through a power plant, discover the answers to these and many more questions about energy production.

Sponsored by Xcel Energy and part of the larger Energy Classroom website, join your young guides, Jenna and Bobby, as they walk you through one of the biggest of Xcel Energy’s 86 power plants and explain how energy is made. There are 3 stops on your tour: 

  • Introduction – General information about the tour
  • Electricity – Walks through the steam energy production process from coal to transmission to customers
  • Environment – Explains the way the company works to conserve resources and keep the air and water clean

When you are finished with your tour, use the sidebar navigation or select “Energy Classroom” at the top of the navigation bar to find a great number of excellent resources available on this site to continue your study of energy. Resources include: 

  • Interactive games
  • Printable worksheets, information sheets, activity ideas, and experiments
  • Informative videos

Choose from the following topics: 

  • Power Sources
  • Clean Energy Planet
  • Conservation
  • Power & Wildlife
  • Careers in Energy
  • Power Questions
  • Power Words
  • Energy Safety
  • Teacher Resources
  • and more!

While the materials on this site were created for students in grades 3-5, there is a wealth of information that can be adapted for both younger and older students. Turn on the lights to exploration of power when you visit the Energy Classroom website.

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