When the pandemic lockdown started in March, I did 6 weeks of live-streamed science lessons geared toward k-5th graders. This thread is a recap of them. The video quality isn’t the best because they were uploaded directly from my webcam, but I hope they’re helpful...

#scicomm

Before I recap, you can follow me on IG @sciencemadesimple_llc. Also, I’m posting new science videos every Monday morning this summer on my @youtube channel, like this one from last week about pepper spray, so definitely subscribe:

Lesson 1: We learned about safety, the importance of a lab notebook, and what a hypothesis is. We also did an experiment in order to practice these principles:

Lesson 2: We learned how to build up static electricity, and did experiments to see if static electricity has an effect on an empty soda can & water:

Lesson 3: We had some fun learning about paper chromatography, and we found out that some black markers are actually a mixture of dyes:

Lesson 4: Diffusion was the focus, and we looked at hot versus cold water, and hypothesized which temperature water allowed food coloring to spread the fastest. Then we tested our hypothesis:

Lesson 5: Our 2nd look at diffusion focused on the effect of temperature on the density of water. This was tricky to do live, but we got it done:

Lesson 6: Believe it or not, there’s metal in your food. We found out that you can extract iron from cereal using magnets in this lesson:

Lesson 7: Two different experiments were performed to demonstrate the science behind surface tension:

Lesson 8: Plants and their value to humans was discussed while we began the process of proving water passes from the bottom and out through the leaves of celery:

Lesson 9: SLIME!!! We made SLIME! We also learned about non-Newtonian fluids in the process:

Lesson 10: In what I initially thought would be the last live science lesson, we did 2 demonstrations about gas, including the fun Elephant Toothpaste Demo:

Lesson 11: In a throwback to my youth, we made paper cup telephones and talked about the science behind sound:

Lesson 12: Friction is a force that, when accumulated, can be reasonably strong. We demonstrate this using rice, a chopstick, and a glass stirring rod:

Lesson 13: Using ice, water, a string, and a little salt, we were able to pick up some ice:

Lesson 14: We made a density tower while learning about the physics of fluid densities:

Lesson 15: Making a cloud in a jar can be fun and educational. We learned about different types of clouds while making our cloud in a jar:

Lesson 16: A day after Easter, we learned about osmosis by turning a raw egg into a ‘rubber’ egg:

Lesson 17: In another ode to my childhood, after discussing the basic concepts of flight, we made paper airplanes:

Lesson 18: Adhesives can be natural or synthetic. In this lesson we learned how to make our own homemade adhesive (glue):

Lesson 19: In this lesson, we learned how to make our very own lava lamps, while expanding on our discussion of fluid density:

Lesson 20: In our 3rd discussion on diffusion, we had a ‘sweet’ time doing the Skittles Diffusion demonstration:

Lesson 21: This day we did the well known ‘candle in a jar’ demonstration. Make sure to be safe when handling the flame:

Lesson 22: We learned about pressure in this fun and simple experiment called “diving ketchup”:

Lesson 23: A discussion on the water cycle precedes a demonstration of how you can make your own ‘rain’ in a couple of cups:

Lesson 24: In an experiment I call ‘running water,’ we discuss the concept of adhesion, and find out if water poured on a string follows that path, or spills onto the floor instead:

Lesson 25: We once again discuss plants, while preparing to grow bean sprouts:

Lesson 26: In this lesson, we use the concept of fluid density to make it rain beautiful colors in a cup:

Lesson 27: With a little soda pop and a few raisins, you can make raisins ‘dance.’ Find out how in this lesson:

Lesson 28: Who knew dry erase markers could be so fun? With the right marker, and a little skill drawing, you can make a dancing stick man:

Lesson 29: We finished the live science lessons by making homemade ice cream. We learned about endothermic reactions in the process. Check it out:

Lastly, I must point out that each lesson begins with a safety discussion, and a discussion about taking good notes when doing experiments. Again, I hope these are helpful. #realtimechem #scicomm #science #BLACKandSTEM