Homeschool Science: Plant Absorption

We picked up this book at the Science Center: Cool Biology Activities for Girls by Kristi Lew. Here are the components and result from her first experiment on plant absorption.

Maker Faire Inspired Weaving and Crocheting

cardboard loom

We attended Maker Faire Orlando at the Orlando Science Center last weekend. The kids saw a lot of cool crafts and tech during those two days. Events like this always inspire us to get creative. 

One of the activities that really got Elisabeth's attention was this very simple weaving project on a cardboard loom. 

So this week I took one of those lovely 50% off coupons from Michael's and bought her a ALEX Toys Craft Fashion Weaving Loom. She immediately set to work on her first creation. 

We'll see what she ends up making next. She has aspirations for a scarf and blanket. 

Her enthusiasm has rekindled my own interest in crocheting. I think I'm going to have to watch some videos or join a knitting club to get beyond the basic stitches though.

Showing off her completed project

Starting a new weave on her loom with my crocheting instruction book lying nearby

Daddy is Teaching Computer Science

My husband recently told me he found a free computer science curriculum called CS Unplugged: Computer Science without a Computer. My response was, "Great! When are you going to teach us?" He is the computer programmer after all.

After dinner tonight, we started in with the first lesson. I enjoyed playing student; one of the biggest perks of homeschooling is how much I learn along with the kids. However, it us not often that daddy plays teacher.

I was very impressed with the first lesson and, as a result, I now get binary numbers. So far, the curriculum seems very straightforward. I could probably handle it, but don't tell my husband I said that. Nevertheless, it's good to know the instructor doesn't need to be a computer programmer or have a degree in computer science.