A few years ago there was a TV program called Mythbusters.  I loved that show as they did science experiments to show what could really be done and what couldn’t.  This week’s activities have you creating and exploring unusual things.

We start out where Jason challenges you to create a roller coaster.  Draw a picture of it, write about how it works.  Check it out!

You can take it a step farther and actually build a model of what your idea is.  Here’s one idea of how to build a paper roller coaster but make it your own.  Use marble or ball to test it out, take a video and send it to me.

Here are some activities to try with science and engineering.  These are strange activities but they all work.  Can you do it?

How tall of a straw can you make that will still drink?  The challenge this week is on – who can make the longest straw that still works?  Make sure you measure it and take a picture of you using it.

Are melting ice caps different at the North Pole and South Pole?  Use this activity to find out.

Can you turn milk into plastic?  If you can what will you make from it?  Remember to take a picture.

Do you feel like cooking?  Usually we get dry ice to make sure our ice cream doesn’t melt until we get home.  But, what do you think will happen if you put ice cream in the oven?  It will melt, right?  Do this experiment to see if you can keep the ice cream from melting while it bakes in this activity:  Bake Your Ice Cream.

There are 11 other projects that you may enjoy doing on the Science Buddies Strange But True blog.  Choose the ones you want to try and let me know what happens.

Looking for some books that have strange topics?  Check these out.  The first book is a middle school mystery, the second book is fantasy/mystery ghost story (but not too scary).   The last book is a humorous book for older readers about adults and children who spontaneously combust.

 

As always if you do any of the activities send me a picture or video to post on the blog.

Have you ever wished you could have more control over your life?  This week Jason is asking you to create a remote control that controls the world around you.  What things would you turn up?  What things would you mute?  Listen to his challenge and comment in the space below to tell me what you would do with a remote control.

Who doesn’t love a superhero movie?  This week it’s Superhero Science.

I can’t turn you into a superhero but there are lots of fun activities that you can explore.  Many superheroes have special costumes, gadgets or tools they use.  Build yourself a robot hand.  What will it look like?  What can you do with it?

Many superheroes have amazing strength.  Learn how you can curl metals with heat or use chemistry to lift glaciers (ice cubes) with string.

Perhaps you want to create a forceful blast of air?  Make a simple vortex cannon.  You can find out how to do this and many more exciting activities at Superhero Science.

If you’re looking for some books to read on superheroes check out these e-books.

This week for Jason’s challenge you can simply write your ideas in the comment section below.  Here is a video you can watch to learn how to do that.  It’s very easy.  Or if you have a picture or video to show me your superhero activity email me the link and I will share it in the comment section below.

Have a super(hero) week!

Summer is heating up and this week we are thinking about water to help us cool off.  There is also a great camp where you are competing with kids from around the world and you can earn prizes!  Keep reading to find out more.

This week Jason is thinking about the pool.  What treasure can you find when you go swimming?

What kind of treasure and tale will you create?  I’d love to read it.

This week you are challenged to have some Water Play.

You’ll find some great activities like, Build a Water Strider (a bug) from wire. Build an Archimedes Screw.  What can you do with this screw?   If you’re wondering who Archimedes is you might want to find out.  You can find  books on Archimedes at Open Library.  Just do a title or subject search for Archimedes.

Did you ever hear of a hole that didn’t leak?  Well if you’re wondering how that is possible check out  Holes That Do Not Leak.  Is it possible?  Let me know what you find out.

This week I found a wonderful new opportunity!  Camp Mo!

These are week-long summer STEM challenge camps.  Sign up for a week that will help you gain skills in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics.  You will:

Watch a video,

Learn what you need to do,

Make something

Compete with other kids from around the world

And the catch?

You can win great prizes!

Sign up today for Camp Mo!

Sign up today for the week or weeks you want to participate in.  As always please share with me and your classmates anything you make.  And of course if you win a prize send me a picture to let us know what you won.  Email me at odatej@smis.ac.jp

Summer is a time for picnics, ice cream and fireworks.  This year may be different but we can still explore some typical summer fun through experiments and writing.  This week Jason invites you to invent a new ice cream treat.  Listen to his challenge and let me know what you create.

 

The weather is heating up and this week’s science activities are Fireworks and Picnics!  And one of the activities is to learn how to make ice cream in a bag.  What a perfect connection!  So you can create your ice cream in a bag and then write about what you put in it for Jason’s challenge.  Send me a picture of your ice cream.

Or perhaps you like shaved ice more?  If so, try Homemade Slushies to cool off.

If you like fireworks there are a few activities you can try.  One Underwater Color Bursts is a chemistry activity you can do by yourself.  If mom and dad are willing to work with you and give you permission you may try a few of the other fireworks activities that are a little more explosive!  Just be careful!

Looking for a good book?  Check out these summer books.

 A few other places you can find online books to read or audiobooks to listen to are Teenbook Cloud and Audiobook Cloud.

If you need the login information email me and I’ll send it to you.  Remember to record all your reading in the Reader Zone app.