Density is mass per unit volume. What happens when the mass changes? How is density affected?
Watch this video that explain the concept of density.
NASA – A HUMAN ADVENTURE
NASA – A Human Adventure exhibition is going on at ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands Singapore. This is the last week of the exhibition and they’re having a special 1-for-1 promotion to celebrate its closure. The last day to catch this exhibit is 19 March!
The little ones will be exited as they can transform into astronaut with this costume provided for the younger audience.
So, what can you expect at the exhibition? The exhibition has 6 Galleries.
The first gallery shows the the first geniuses, which include many writers and artists who share their visions about exploring space, through writing or arts. This is pivotal in inspiring others to explore the space.
The next exhibit is about space race between USA and Soviet Union.
Then visitors move to the next gallery, Pioneers. Here, visitors will learn more about the pioneers of space exploration and technological achievement in the early years. From this part onward, most of the exhibits on display are replica, 1:1 scale or smaller, but there are also some actual item too, like this Jupiter Nose Cone.
The next gallery is Endurance. Exhibits in this gallery shows how astronauts can survive in hostile environment in space. Visitors can learn more about high-tech equipment, space suit and even food!
Apollo and Skylab A7LB Spacesuit
The next gallery, Innovation, looks at the development of ideas from technology used by pioneers to evolving to complex advanced assemblies like the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
Lastly, the one most visitors are excited about… G-Force Astronaut Trainer Ride.
Take a trip to space and back and experience what it feels like to be an astronaut. Each ride is $6.
The “carriage” can take up to 4 pax per ride. There are 2 compartments, with 2 pax on each side. It goes quite fast but trust me, it’s not as bad as rollercoaster ride, so do give it a go!
That’s all for NASA – A Human Adventure exhibition and I hope you do catch it before it ends on 19 March, Sun!
Pasir Ris Park Mangrove Boardwalk
We were at Pasir Ris Park Mangrove Boardwalk yesterday for #2 of #sglittleXplorers series, collaboration with Familytrippers.
Pasir Ris Park is more popular for its beach and its ‘spiderweb’ playground…
But right in the middle of the whole stretch, there’s a small area of mangrove.
Getting there
Public transport: About 5-10 min walking distance from Pasir Ris MRT station. You’ll need to walk towards Downtown east.
Driving/ Cab/ Uber:
1. Carpark B, enter from Pasir Ris Drive 3. Unfortunately, Carpark B is still not in Google Map, but you can search for the sheltered pavilion, Piai Plaza. Google map coordinates here.
2. Carpark C.
Boardwalk trail
About 1-2 hour walk. No soiled-path. It’s a boardwalk throughout without any slope. No cycling allowed, but I guess you can push your pram if you’re coming with kids.
The best time to visit is in the morning because it is low tide. During low tide, you’ll get to see the roots and creatures. Then, just as you end, you can see that the water level is higher compared to what it was when you walked in. I feel, this makes a good observation and comparison for the kids. They will also able to appreciate the conditions and environment of the mangrove as an ecosystem with distinctive features due to influences of tidal movement.
So, what are some of the interesting sightings and learning adventures we had?
Sea Poison
Sea poison is commonly found in back mangrove region.
Pretty sight of pinkish flowers on the ground welcomed us just a few metres before the start the boardwalk.
The bud swell in the daytime, the whitish part in the photo below, and bloom only after sunset.
Flowers on the ground is a usual sight every morning, because after these flowers bloom at night, they eventually fall off from the tree, by sunrise the next day. Strong fragrance is also present only after sunset.
Why this special adaptation? Well, these flowers are pollinated by insects that are more active at night, common example is moth.
The flowers are white, because these animals do not have colour visual at night. Hence, it’s not necessary for them to be brightly-coloured, as observed in most of other insect-pollinated flowers.
The fruit is a fibrous husk as its seeds are dispersed by water, a typical feature of most mangrove plants.
p/s Do you know that another common flower that emits fragrance at night and is pollinated by moth too is spider lily. Spider lily is commonly found in neighbourhood area, so do lookout for it!
Pong Pong tree
Pong pong is quite well-known as a poisonous plant. The parts of the plant that are poisonous are the seeds and the latex/white sap from the bark and leaves.
The fruit floats as dispersal of seed is by water, a common feature of most mangrove plants. The fruit is eventually left as a fibrous husk, as seen in the photo above.
We were also lucky to spot a shoot growing from the seed in the husk!
Vivipary
A common reproductive adaptation of mangrove plants is vivipary. The conditions of the environment is harsh for a typical germination of seed in the soil. To increase higher rate of survival of offsprings, the plants undergo vivipary.
The seedling (also called propagule) will grow on parent plant, mainly to receive nutrients. It’ll become heavy and eventually fall. It’ll float in water and then rooted in soil to grown into a young plant.
We were lucky to spot a few propagules hanging on a plant.
If you’re at the boardwalk, lookout for the Vivipary info board below.
You’ll have a higher chance to spot propagules from the tree right behind the board.
As we walked further down, we also saw a propagule perhaps only recently rooted into the mud and growing into a young plant.
Really cool to spot them at the different stages!
Oh, and another interesting fact about the propagule. One end of it is more water-absorbent. And, there’s a reason for it! When it drops into the water, it float horizontally. But due to one end of the tip being more water-absorbent, that end becomes heavier, enabling it to float vertically and eventually heavy enough to sink and rooted into the mud. Cool stuff, right!
Fish tail palm
The leaves of this plant looks like a fish tail, hence the name. A 4-yo participant also pointed out that it looks like someone bit it. And, he pointed out a good observation cuz there’s a reason for it! The leaves appears as though it had been bitten so that insects will not feed on it.
Roots adaptations
Aerial roots adaptations are observed in mangrove plants because of low oxygen concentration in the mud. The roots “appear” out of the soil to increase exposure for oxygen.
And that’s pretty much some of the interesting sights we had at Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk. Do make a visit soon to learn more about the mangrove ecosystem!
Boomerang (with free printable)
Have fun throwing a boomerang and watch it coming back to you. All you need is to print it on card stock or paper of about 240gsm. Or you can print out a regular paper, cut it and trace it on a cardboard. The back of foolscap paper works great!
Fold it along the dotted line and bend the edge (the stripe portion) up slightly. Then, you’re ready to try it. Hold the tip with your index finger and thumb, with the bend facing down, flick it at a slight angle upwards. Watch it fly and return to you., But, if it doesn’t, just like how a scientist should be, don’t give up! Keep working on the fold to get it work or adjust it how you throw it and try with different strength or angle.
Don’t forget to take a video put it up on FEST FB page. 🙂
Click on the image below to download the pdf file.
Save 20% on Science Expeditions subscriptions
[aff links]
X-mas promotion ends 9 Dec 12 noon, Singapore time. First package will be delivered by 24 Dec. Promo code at the end of the post.
The team from award-winning Little Passports has recently launched its new subscription package – Science Expeditions. You can check out the story behind their creation here.
If you’re new to subscription package, it works simply by:
1. Choosing your plan (Monthly, 3 Month, 6 Month or 12 Month)
2. Look out for the package in your mailbox every month
3. Have fun exploring the activities provided in the package!
Oh, and did you know that Little Passports products ships to Singapore? For its 3 Month, 6 Month or 12 Month subscription package, it is one-time payment only for shipping. If you order by 9 Dec 12 noon, your first package will arrive by 24 Dec, in time for Chrismas!
Science Expeditions subscription package
Personally, I think the package is a great idea for science discovery and learning as it has elements of STEAM and develops children with scientific skills like observation, inquiry and problem-solving. The best part of course is that it’s engaging through its hands-on activities which trigger their senses and boost their natural curiosity.
But you know what’s the best part about having a Science subscription package? It ensure consistency as it really gets you to work on it every month. Lets face it, for most of us, we’ll be googling for ideas, pinning it up on Pinterest boards, liking FB posts and pages of fun learning activities, but ended up not doing it. With this Science Expedition, there’s definitely no more procrastination! Your child is guaranteed fun Science learning every month 🙂
So, what can you expect from the Science Kits?
Your first package includes a science case and a lab notebook.
It also contain 8-page experiment guide with detailed instructions and 16-page comic book with glossary and bonus activities.
Solve a new mystery each month with Sam & Sofia. Each month features 3 hands-on Science experiments, achievement badges and bonus experiments videos.
The Science kits are suitable for 9 year old and above. There had been great reviews of the Science Expedition subscription package by many parents, with most enjoying the hands-on experiment they had with their children. The themed and interdisciplinary approach is also a hit among parents. Children enjoying doing the experiment as they are able to carry it out successfully thanks the materials provided and clear and easy to follow instructions.
The Science Kit sells from USD 17.95/mth.
But for a special Christmas promotion, you can get it at 20% off. Click on the picture below and enter code SCIENCE20 at checkout.
(T&C: 20% discount offer valid on new Science Expeditions subscription only and cannot be combined with any other offers and/or applied retroactively to previously placed orders. Offer applies only on the first month of the Monthly Plan.)
Remember the code! SCIENCE20. Order by 9 Dec 12 noon, Singapore time to enjoy this promotion.
DIY Toy Cars
Crazy about cars? Why not make one on your own? Grab some recyclable items that can be found at home with some stationery and you’re good to go!
Some items that you can consider are CDs, milk cartons, cereal boxes, plastic bottles, chopsticks, straws, bottle caps and skewer sticks. So, you’ve got the stuff? Read on to find out how you can start making your own toy car!
My first attempt in making toy cars using plastic bottle and milk carton was using the tutorial from Wikihow. It provides clear pictures and detailed step, that you definitely can’t go wrong with.
Here are some other ideas using other materials (with tutorials)…
Modifications
Rubber-band powered car
You can tweak the toy cars by adding a rubber band. A clear video to make rubber band-powered car can be found here.
There’s also another full tutorial by Crafts by Amanda with clear images.
Balloon-powered car
Instead of rubber band, you can add balloon instead. Watch how you can do so in the video here.
And hey, while you’re at it, why not make it into a race with your friends?
If all the above are still too difficult for you, lets just stick to Lego 😉
Little Engineers Playdate
FEST is finally ready for it’s first playdate! Discover the spirit of making and have fun with your little ones to create toys using recyclable materials.
Calling little engineers to join us on 19 Dec, Mon for a fun day to make cardboard city, toy cars, boomerangs and paper aeroplanes. Drop by anytime from 11am to 5pm at level 2 of Ova shop, located at 727 North Bridge Road.
Now, what to expect of FEST’s first playdate? Well, in line with FEST’s objective to promote family cohesiveness which incorporate Science learning, this is not the typical drop-off science enrichment programme. Instead, you get to explore with your little ones to create toys using recyclable materials such as water bottles, cereal boxes, papers, straw, chopsticks etc. So, don’t forget to bring some from home too!
Also, to ignite your senses and trigger investigative skills (and your children’s too), this will not be instructional approach too. You and your children get to be creative and decide how to make your own stuff. Samples and some instruction sheets will be provided, but really, if you want to do your own creation, by all means, please go ahead.
If you’re ready to build with us, RSVP now at our FB event page.
Planetary and Solar System STEAM Activities
Activity
1. Solar system card (with free printable)
6. Moon clock
7. Moon crater
8. Trading card game (free printable)
9. Moon phases book (digital download)
10. Moon phases flipbook (free download)
11. Moon phases card game (free download)
Planetary/ Solar System Model
14. Playdough
15. Distance chart
16. Mobile
Sun-earth-moon Model
17. Science Alive
19. NASA
20. Toys from Trash
Moon phases Model
21. Paper plates
22. Oreo Moon phases
Colouring pages printable
5 Activities for respiratory sytem
1. Model Making
Introduce the parts of respiratory system by making a model using straws of different sizes and Q-tips. Large size straws using straw from bubble tea, regular straw and a narrow straw, such as those for hot coffee (but don’t forget to cut it through the middle).
Start with the bubble tea straw to represent trachea, then regular straws to represent bronchi, coffee straws as bronchiols and finally the cotton end of Q-tips as alveoli (similar to the sac-like shape of alveoli). What you’ve done is a model to represent the passageway of air as you breath in and out.
Use of analogy
You can also compare this to the road system, for example…
Trachea ≈Expressway
Bronchi ≈ Exit of expressway (unlike expressway with multiple exits, there are only 2 bronchi in our body)
Bronchiole ≈Regular roads (branches off to streets and avenues, similar to branching observed in bronchiole)
Alveoli ≈ Carpark (loading and unloading taking place in carpark is similar to gaseous exchange taking place in alveoli)
2. Model of lungs
What’s the science behind it?
When you pull down the knotted balloon, it increases the volume in the bottle, which lowers the pressure. As the environment has high pressure than the model, air rush in (because air moves from high to low pressure), hence inflating the balloon in the bottle. As the knotted balloon is released, volume in the bottle decreases, hence pressure increases. Hence, air moves out from the balloon and it deflates.
How similar is the model to lungs?
The knotted balloon in the model represents the diaphragm. Diaphragm is dome-shaped muscles located below the lungs. Its rhythmic contraction and relaxation results in breathing. Pulling down the knotted balloon is similar to diaphragm contracting. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downwards, increasing volume of chest cavity.
When the knotted balloon is released, it represents relaxation of diaphragm. The diaphragm moves upwards when it relaxes, decreasing the volume of chest cavity.
4. Chest measurement
During inhalation, chest moves upwards and forward as it expands.
Grab a measuring tape to do a simple activity with your child. Lets compare the measurement of chest during inhalation and exhalation. Your child can compare the measurement and you can use this results to link to concepts of breathing. Also, let your child to do it on friends and family members too to inculcate scientific skills such measurement and communicating data.. You can use template here to record the results.
Extension (for 10 years old above)
Make it into project for your child as he/she do the measurement on friends and family members. Extend it for your child to make it into a report or poster to incorporate science skills and elements of STEAM.
Incorporation of STEAM (where applicable)
Science skills: measurement, recording results, communicating data into table/graph
Technology: Use of Powerpoint to make poster/report
Art: Design of poster/report
Math: Use of table, comparison of data
Not sure how to start? Grab the template here!
5. Measuring breathing rate
Here’s another idea for a science project. Why not compare the breathing rate for various activities?
To determine breathing rate, count for each time you breathe in for 1 minute.
Through this activity, you can introduce the concept that breathing rate increases during strenuous activity.
Science behind it
During physical activity, such as running, the muscle cells need more energy. Breathing rate increases to transport oxygen at a faster rate to cells to increase the rate of respiration, hence release more energy.
10 Cactus craft for lesson on plant adaptations
Explore science concept of plant adaptation through cactus!
Make one of these cactus craft and share ideas of its adaptation with your children. Most activities listed here are appropriate for those above 4 years old.
Some questions/pointers to introduce to children…
– Cacti are one of the common plants in desert
– Describe the conditions of desert (learning opportunities to expand vocabulary, eg hot, dry, arid, sandy)
– Challenges of desert climate (lack of water to support/sustain life)
– Describe a cactus (thick, fleshy stem, green stem, spines/thorns/thin and sharp leaves)
– Extend discussion with adaptation of desert animals, e.g camel
BBC KS3 Bitesize has a good resource to facilitate learning on this.
Which of these are you gonna make?
1. Painted rock cactus
Collect some pebbles and get down to painting them green with some patterns as the thorns.
Place them in pots with soil…
or a pot containing smaller pebbles,
or cans of marbles..
Voila- the painted pebbles have been transformed into cactus!
2. Popsicle stick cactus
If you have spare popsicle sticks lying around, here are some ideas to make cactus from them.
Put them upright…
Or lay them flat…
3. Hand-print cactus
Get your hand dirty, literally, with some hand-printed cactus.
4. Balloon cactus
Tape a few pieces of yellow and green balloons of different sizes together.
5. Toothpick
Toothpicks can be used to represent the spines. So, why not add toothpick to your drawing…
or to modge-painted Styrofoam ball…
6. Card-stitching cactus
Template provided by Handmade Charlotte with easy, simple stitch for the thorns of the cactus.
7. Cactus pen-holder
Make your cactus for creative use, for example, as a pen holder.
8. Paper craft cactus
Plenty of variations for paper craft cactus and with template provided. Cut, colour and fix them up. Easy peasy!
Template by The House that Lars Built with instructions here.
You can also get template from Good To Know with instructions here.
Make spiny cactus with template and instructions from Vashechudo.
Watercolour paper cacti with template from Think Make Share and instructions here.
Paper Mache Cacti on Styrofoam piece by Design Sponge.
Simple paper cactus by Henrietta & Clementine.
9. Fork pattern
Use a fork to paint over the cactus cut-out to represent the needle-like leaves.
10. Using wire from old clothes hanger
Unwind them, then twist and turn it into cactus. Then, add some ribbons to represent the spines. Pretty, aren’t they?
F.E.S.T 