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Science Lab Camp

In this multi-day course, we will do simple science experiments to explore topics in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Genetics, and Weather.
Kathy Borja
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(219)
Class

What's included

5 live meetings
3 hrs 45 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
During this multi-day science camp, we will experiment with Biology (plants/leaves), Chemistry (pH and protein denaturation), Physics (pendulums), Genetics (DNA extraction), and Weather (water cycle).  Please see the learner supply list tab below.  (Depending on how the experiments run, there is a possibility the lab may run over. Please keep that in mind for plans after the session.)

Day 1:  Biology
Prior to class, the students should collect leaves from their area.  We will begin by setting up our experiments first. While our experiments are running, we will discuss plant structure, discuss what the leaf structure tells us about the plant and share our collected leaves to support what we learned.  From our experiments, we will learn about the function of plant stems and what pigments are within leaves. Finally, we will play a plant trivia game. 

Day 2:  Chemistry
We will start by making a pH indicator. Then, I will give a brief review of pH and protein structure.  Next, we will determine whether our reagents are acidic, basic, or neutral.  Then, we will use these reagents with egg whites to see what they do to the protein.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a chemistry trivia game. 

Day 3:  Physics
I will give a brief lecture about pendulums.  We will set up our pendulums in a doorway or similar area, then make observations and calculations.  Finally, we will discuss what we observed and play a trivia game. 

Day 4:  Genetics
I will have a brief introduction lecture describing the cell and where DNA is located.  We will also review DNA structure.  The learners will crush or puree strawberries before adding commonly available household items to extract DNA.  We will conclude with a discussion about our observations and a trivia game. 

Day 5:  Weather 
We will discuss and try to recreate the water cycle.  Next, we will talk about the sky and experiment to visualize air taking up space.  Then, we will play a trivia game with what we learned.  Finally, we will end with a review of what we learned during the week. 

Please note that since this is a lab class, if we do not meet minimum enrollment the week's session will be canceled.

Other Details

Parental Guidance
In the chemistry and weather labs, we will need to boil water and either hold objects or manipulate objects near the steam of the hot water. Caution must be taken so there are no burns. Parental supervision may be required or the student can abstain and watch the experiment online. Please note this class uses third party resources (Gimkit, Quizlet, Kahoot, and Blooket). There will be a link shared during class for these online trivia games, so no personal account is needed.
Supply List
Learners may wish to have a laboratory notebook and pencil for all labs

Biology Lab:  white flower (carnation, clover, etc), various leaves, spinach, glasses, water, food dye, nail polish remover, coffee filters

Chemistry Lab:  1/4 head of red cabbage, egg whites, water, white vinegar, baking soda/sodium bicarbonate-baking powder, rubbing alcohol, glasses/cups, heat-resistant bowls, plastic dropper/syringe/teaspoon, tea kettle/pot, stove or hot plate

Physics Lab: several spoons or pencils, string, thumbtacks or tension rod, meter/yard stick or tape measure, stopwatch

Genetics Lab:  strawberries, small glasses/plastic cups/test tubes, sandwich size zip-top plastic bag, mesh metal strainer or funnel with coffee filter or paper towel, toothpicks, water, salt, rubbing alcohol, dish washing detergent

Weather Lab:  water, ice, pot, heat resistant bowls, oven mitts, mirror, balloon, glass bottle with small mouth, empty plastic water bottle with cap, matches, stove or hot plate
 1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined January, 2020
4.8
219reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Science from Rutgers University and UMDNJ
I am a scientist turned stay at home mom. While getting my Master's degree in Biochemistry, I taught General Biology lab and an Introduction to Molecular Biology Research lab to undergraduates.  I have worked as a medical laboratory technician in a hospital and as a biochemist in drug discovery and early phase clinical trials within the pharmaceutical industry. I left that role to stay at home and homeschool my 2e son.  Since he was a different learner, we explored all ways of learning and trying to make it fun.
I began teaching online by teaching English to kids in China.  I enjoyed it, but Outschool allows me to go back to my scientific roots and share it with others. I hope to design and deliver classes that will share my knowledge from working as a scientist and get learners as interested and excited about science as I am.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$90

for 5 classes
5x per week, 1 week
45 min

Completed by 63 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
2-9 learners per class

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