During the weekly science labs, we will explore a variety of scientific topics with hands-on experiments. We will experiment with Physics (Aerodynamics, Buoyancy, Levers & Planes, Magnets, Pendulums, and Hydraulics), Chemistry (Biomolecules, Temperature & Density, Conductors, Electroplating, Proteins & pH, Mixtures, and Titrations and Molar Solutions), Biology (Concentration Gradient, Plants,  Microbiology, DNA and Genetics), Anatomy (Vision, Touch, Sound, and Taste & Smell) and Earth Science (Barometer & Hygrometer, Filtration, and Water Cycle & Air).  

Depending on how the experiments run, there is a possibility the lab may run past the end of the session. 

Please note some of  these labs are similar to the experiments in my week long Science Lab Camps.

Please see the learner supply list tab below.  

This is a tentative schedule, dates are subject to change.
Schedule:       
                                                           Topic
 
Week 1:                                               Plants
Week 2:                                              Protein & pH
Week 3:                                              Pendulums
Week 4:                                              DNA
Week 5:                                              Water & Air
Week 6:                                              Magnets
Week 7:                                              Mixtures
Week 8:                                              Microbiology
Week 9:                                              Filtration
Week 10:                                            Biomolecules
Week 11:                                             Sound
Week 12:                                            Weather
Week 13:                                            Molar Solutions 
Week 14:                                            Genetics
Week 15:                                            Hydraulics 
Week 16:                                            Smell & Taste   
Week 17:                                            Temp & Density
Week 18:                                            Aerodynamics
Week 19:                                            Conductors
Week 20:                                           Levers and Planes
Week 21:                                            Concentration Gradient
Week 22:                                            Touch
Week 23:                                            Electroplating
Week 24:                                           Boiling Point and Melting Point
Week 25:                                           Buoyancy
Week 26:                                           Vision

Lab Details:
Week 1:  
Plants
Prior to class, the students is encouraged to 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. 

Week 2:
Protein and pH
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. 

Week 3:
Pendulums
I will give a brief lecture about pendulums.  We will set up our pendulums in a doorway or across two chairs, then make observations and calculations.  Finally, we will discuss what we observed and play a trivia game. 

Week 4: 
DNA extraction
I will have a brief introduction lecture describing the cell, where DNA is located, and what is its purpose.  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. 

Week 5: 
Water cycle and air
We will discuss and try to recreate the water cycle.  Next, we will talk about our atmosphere and experiment to visualize if air takes up space.  Then, we will play a trivia game with what we learned. 

Week 6: 
Magnets 
We will begin class by discussing magnetism and motors.  We will first construct an electromagnet and see how many metal objects it can pick up.  Next, we will construct a simple motor.   Then, we will share and discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.  

Week 7: 
Mixtures
We will begin class with a brief lecture about mixtures.  First, we will explore the Tyndall Effect.  Next, we will examine emulsions.  Then, we will talk about Newtonian vs Non-Newtonian fluids and make a dilatant fluid (Oobleck).  We will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 8:  
Microbiology (culture & yeast test)
We will start by preparing our yeast test and making our culture broth.  Then, we will have an overview of microbiology and talk about aseptic technique.  Next, we will inoculate our broth and store them for incubation.  Then, we will discuss the yeast test results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 9:  
Filtration
We will begin class by discussing water filtration.  We will construct 3 filters with material placed in different orders and determine what filters our "dirty water" best.  We will discuss our results, then play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 10:  
Biomolecules
We will begin class by discussing lipids and do the brown paper test.  Next, we will discuss carbohydrates and do the iodine test.  Then, we will discuss enzymes and do the catalase test.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.  

Week 11:  
Sound
We will discuss sound, sound waves and the perception of sound. Then, we will do simple experiments with sound.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 12:  
Weather
We will discuss pressure and humidity.  Then, we will construct a simple barometer and hygrometer.  We will discuss how to take readings and what the data tells us.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 13:  
Titrations and Molar Solutions
We will discuss the International System of Units, stoichiometry, and chemical solutions.  We will perform calculations and then prepare molar solutions.  We will experiment with titrations and calculate the concentrations from serial dilutions.  We will end with a discussion and a trivia game.

Week 14:   
Genetics 
I will give some background on mitosis and meiosis and discuss genetic inheritance, Punnett Squares, evolution and genetic drift.  We will tabulate various traits, including fingerprint patterns, and randomly selecting "alleles" from a bag to demonstrate inheritance and genetic drift.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.  

Week 15:
Hydraulics and Pneumatics
We will discuss fluids, hydraulics and pneumatics.  Then, we will construct an air pump.  We will discuss our results and conclude with a trivia game.

Week 16:  
Smell and Taste
We will discuss the anatomy, physiology and perception of smell and taste.  Then, we will experiment with how the order of smelling things can change our perception. Next, we will compare tastes of common foods that may taste different to different people.  Last, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 17: 
Temperature and Density
We will discuss density of matter and the effect temperature has on some substances, particularly water.  Then, we will do 3 experiments with colored water of different temperatures to see the effect on density.  Finally, we will discuss our results and  play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 18:
Aerodynamics
We will discuss Bernoulli's principle and the forces involved with lift.  Then, we will investigate aerodynamic design with paper aircraft.  We will construct 3 aircrafts and compare the time of flight, distance, and accuracy of each.  Finally, we will discuss our results and  play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 19:
Conductors
We will discuss electricity and materials that are conductors or insulators.  Then, we will experiment with various materials to determine if they are conductors or insulators.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 20:  
Levers and Planes
We will discuss simple machines, the forces involved and the work they do.  We will experiment with planes of varying inclines to understand the forces involved and construct a lever machine.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 21:  
Concentration Gradient
We will discuss concentration gradients, osmosis, passive and active transport, and relate it to cells.  We will set up experiments to illustrate what happens in hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic solutions.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 22:  
Touch
We will discuss touch receptors and the somatosensory system.  We will experiment with different temperatures of water and make a Braille alphabet with glue and a written alphabet that we can touch.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 23: 
Electroplating
We will discuss metals, solutions, types of chemical bonds and electroplating.  Next, we will set up an experiment that allows the transfer of one material to another, similar to electroplating.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Week 24:
Boiling and Melting Point
We will discuss the states of matter and the transitions between the states.  We will focus on boiling point and melting point of water with other solutes using two experiments.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.  

Week 25:  
Buoyancy
We will discuss Archimedes Principle, center of gravity, and parts of a boat.  We will construct two (or more) boats with aluminum foil.  We will calculate the volume of each boat.  Next, we will test our boats for displacement and density.  Finally, we will discuss our results and  play a trivia game with what we learned.  

Week 26: 
Vision 
We will discuss the anatomy and physiology of the eye.  Then, we will make a model of the eye to understand how the eye processes the image.  Next, we will discuss how the brain corrects our vision and look at some images where that occurs.  Finally, we will discuss our results and play a trivia game with what we learned.

Please note this class will cycle back to the first week after we complete the 26th week.  I will post in the classroom, as well as make an announcement during class, when we will cycle back to the first week.