Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts

Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Petrosains Visit 2015


I think Petrosains needs no introduction.
Think of it as Malaysia's modern museum focusing on the petroleum industry.
This is the grand entrance.

Picture from Petrosains website

The kids are getting used to regular 'learning trips'
While Tiger actually learns something new, Dragon's intention is to get rid of excess energy.
The queue was long as we waited for the Dark Ride to take us upstairs.

Once inside, they rushed to whatever display was closest.
They are like a couple of hungry wolves, sometimes.

This is the coin tornado that looks like a funnel.
We've seen one of these in a shopping mall recently as part of a donation drive for the
national kidney foundation. I think we donated rm10 worth of coins then.
At Petrosains, they used metal washers of different sizes.

The electrostatic plasma tube

Used his body as a conductor to transfer the energy to the light tube.
There was a personnel nearby to explain everything.
but Tiger was just happy he was Electric Man for a few seconds.


 Next, is the Outer Space section.
Lots of buttons to keep these boys happy.
It is even better than the Planetarium Negara.

They love Miles From Tomorrowland.

The wind tunnel


The infrared camera




 Model of the interior of a space station



There were hands on activities in almost every section in Petrosains.




The programmable rover (supposedly on Mars)




Next was the dinosaurs display. 
There was a T-rex and the kids kept asking for other dinosaurs.
The information regarding the formation of petroleum were largely ignored.


Next section has a stage for talks and shows.
And tables of tools and gadgets for simple physics




Demo: Using non-fat milk to make curd magnets

The diggers..which they turned off the moment my kids sat on it.
They are turned off during talks and performances.
So, next time, try these first.

A simple mining machine with conveyor belt and pulleys.

The toddler area.

This is the super cool interactive art panels.
Hubs and I were total noobs.
We probably enjoyed these more than the kids :p



The kids were too young to appreciate the oil rig.
"Nothing to see here!"
So, Tiger and I spent our time at this interactive station.
He tried using orange peel oil to create a spark.

Her reaction said it all. 
My kid is farneeeeeee!

Coloring using natural ingredients:
Coffee, tumeric, pandan, red cabbage.

The kids love the race cars exhibit.
Mind game. Using brain waves to move the metal ball? 

 

The big kid.

She couldn't reach the pedal. Hehe.
So, she disturbed the brother instead :)

Great place, great value.
Call in advance for a reservation if you don't want to wait for tickets.
They have time slots, so you may not get in if it's full.

Visit the Petrosains website for printables and more information.








Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Science: Making Waves

Most of our science lessons are prompted by my 4 year old.
I think the process where children are encouraged to ask questions and think is critical in laying a strong foundation in S.T.E.M.
The process of finding the answer via scientific method (hypothesize, designing experiments, recording results) shouldn't be too rigid or complicated at this point.


We were singing Whales' Sneezes from YAMAHA when he asked, "Mama, if whales sneeze...then only can get waves?"
I explained that it is the wind created by the sneezes that forms waves and the stronger the wind, the bigger the waves.


So, his question was, does a sneeze make waves?
It would be difficult to make him sneeze on demand. 
I thought of using pepper but that would just make me look bad as a mom.
So I explained that the whale's sneeze represents a very strong wind.
High velocity wind, which we shall recreated using a piece of straw.

I hypothesize that "We can make waves with the straw.
He agreed and we experimented.

We concluded that wind can create waves.
To learn more, we watched a Youtube video on wave formation and surfing 

To be less Tiger Mom-like, he was allowed to have fun cutting wavy lines

To cap it off, we read some facts on whales and he played with his talking pen.

Easy peasy but so much learning.
I love spontaneous lessons!
Next, we will learn how vibrations can create waves too with our tuning forks :)

Sunday, 6 July 2014

Science: Elephant Toothpaste

 I planned to do this experiment a year ago.
Bought the Hydrogen peroxide 6% from Guardian half a year ago
Then I found out my yeast wasn't working one month ago
Finally bought new yeast 2 weekends ago and
REALLY, FINALLY DID the experiment last weekend.

Homeschooling requires A LOT of stamina.
Felt like I just ran a marathon. I used to run, you know.
Before kids, boyfriends and a huge ass.

During the first trial (which failed because of my wet yeast), 
I made the kids put on goggles la, apron la etc.
Round two, "I said...kids, just watch."
You can get some cheap safety goggles for rm 1.50 from Mr DIY.

Basic ingredients
Yeast (one teaspoon)
Hydrogen peroxide 6% (one cup)-Available at major pharmacies
Food coloring (a few drops) or paint
Warm water (half a cup)
Dishwasher soap (just a few squirt)

Basic tools
A pan (to catch the toothpaste)
A bottle with narrow neck
Safety goggles
Apron 
Funnel

This is all over the internet, so I am not going to blah blah on.
If you need instructions, go HERE

To failure-proof ze experimento:
1. Make sure your yeast is not wet. Stupid me, I know  =.="
2. Don't use a big bottle, like this:

 Instead, try a cute little one like this.

 

 See my kakak's happy face? 
I swear, even when Dragon girl farts, she laughs.

 Sigh....my chubby, bubbly baby girl is going to be 2 soon.
Just don't lose those cheeks, ya?
I just love kissing them...so much so, it's an addiction.

New additions to our outdoor classroom
An outdoor self-service station which is an upcycled old wine rack I was going to toss out.
The back is perfect as a blackboard.
Kakak nearly had a heart attack when I placed the art box within Dragon's reach.

A new hanging plant

Our Sunday breakfast table.

Have a wonderful week!
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