Science on I-80

We make the drive from the Bay Area to Sacramento almost monthly, so we look for milestones to mark the progress of our trip, as well as share some science information.

(I-80) Oakland Port

Even when it's not running, the cranes look pretty cool. You can even chat about import and export and what things may be on the ships. 

Bridges (Carquinez or Benicia)

Bridges are always fun and great educational opportunities. 

http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/bridge6.htm

(I-80) Vallejo - roller coasters at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

(680) Martinez Refineries - cooling tower and tall chimneys

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooling_tower

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_flare

Scandia fun center - mini golf (after 680-80 connection);  ok, not science, but a fun break. 

Windmills - there are a couple big ones near the Jelly Belly factory/Budweiser

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/wind-power.htm

Fairfield - Jelly Belly factory (who does not love to see how things are made, especially candy?)

http://www.jellybelly.com/california-factory-tours

Vacaville - Nut Tree

This used to be a favorite stop when I was a kid. It has changed a lot, but still has a carousel and mini playground, as well as plenty of food and shops. Our favorite is Amici's pizza. 

Fruit orchards

We like to play the "what kind of tree is that?" Game. Most of the time I make up the answers, but they don't know that. Plus there might be fruit stands open. 

Dinosaur skeleton? - I swear I saw one on the East side, just before Davis. At night it was lit with lights. Mystery...

UC Davis

https://www.ucdavis.edu/museums-collections

Grain elevator

Perfect segue to talk about where our food comes from. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grain_elevator

Watch birds along Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area

https://localwiki.org/davis/Vic_Fazio_Yolo_Wildlife_Area

Downtown - tower bridge

Depending on the time of day and weather, it looks like a different color. 

California Train Museum

This is a good half day stop in Old Sacramento for all ages. Big trains, little trains and even toy trains. A must for any train enthusiast. 

http://www.csrmf.org

Other resources

https://localwiki.org/davis/Good_Places_to_Take_Kids

Science on I-5

I-5 can be a long, boring drive. Here are some suggestions for Science discussions with the kids, from the Bay Area to LA. 

Windmills (after Livermore)

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/wind-power.htm

Rock quarry (Granite)

http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/quarry/

Nut & fruit trees

Can you guess what kind?

California aqueduct

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Aqueduct

Santa Nella

- pea soup anderson (I always wanted to stop here as a kid and I still have not, but I love soup)

http://www.peasoupandersens.net

Feed lots

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feedlot

Dams or trains?

Start your own debate between more water and high speed trains. 

Power grid, power station

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm

Wild sunflowers

Greenhouses

http://www.scienceagogo.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=49233

Coalinga

- Harris ranch - you've seen the feedlot, now visit the restaurant!

- airport (small planes you can see from the airport)

Mirages

http://science.howstuffworks.com/mirage.htm

Irrigation

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrigation

- Water pumping station (Kings county line)

- Water tanks

- canals

Bravo farms (restaurant and shops)

Kettleman city

http://www.bravofarms.com/kc/

"Radar enforced by aircraft"

http://mentalfloss.com/article/54070/how-are-speed-limits-enforced-aircraft

Exit 278- Loves gas and food

Kern wildlife refuge - wintering habitat for migratory birds

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kern/

Eucalyptus trees

http://articles.latimes.com/1991-03-14/news/nc-166_1_plant-trees

Pollinating bee boxes

http://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-pollination/

Oil drills. 

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/oil-drilling.htm

Dust devils

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_devil

Bird repellant methods (on grapes)

- Shiny markers

- netting over the vines

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/98-035.htm

Tejon

- Tesla charging station

Tejon pass

- Fort Tejon State Historic Park

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=585

Magic mountain - roller coasters

Science in the Neighborhood

Science is everywhere, especially in our own back yards.

Here are 10 places in your neighborhood that you can visit with your kids to learn how things work.  Some may be easier to get a tour with a group (school, scouts, etc), but you may be able to go during a slow part of the day and get a private tour or interview.

Ask the professionals to share what tools and technology they use. 

1.  Utilities - Recycling, water sanitation

Some local utilities have specific dates for public tours or will schedule group tours.

2.  Fire station, police car, ambulance

Ask community helpers to show the inside of their trucks and tools they use.

3.  Local Restaurants

The kitchen in your local restaurant usually has well planned logistics to get food out quickly.  Pizza places sometimes offer tours to groups.  Even fast food restaurants have interesting tools they use to get food out fast and consistently.

4.  Grocery store

Peak behind the scenes in the stock room to see how food gets from truck to shelves and into our homes.

5.  Bank

Help kids understand money is not just about a credit card.

6.  Library

Ok, I am a Dewey Decimal system nerd and love the order of sorting and reshelving books.

7.  Repair shop

Lots of cool tools to ask about.

8.  Gas station

Where does the gas come from and how does it get into our cars?

9.  Local farm, upick or farmer's market

Whether there are animals or fruits and vegetables, there are plenty of learning opportunities  about where our food comes from.

10.  Construction site

Big tools and trucks.  Make sure you watch from a distance and everyone is safe.

How the Children's Creativity Museum helped me embrace STEAM

I have to admit, I was not a big fan of the recent trend to add "Art" to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  When I was in college, art and dance were my outlets to take a break from engineering classes.  I wanted a separation and distinction between them.  But the Children's Creativity Museum in San Francisco has enlightened me to the errors of my logic.

We just visited this museum with our 2 and 5 year old.  We had not taken my son when he was younger, because he was not into craft projects, but I know now that this museum has something for every kid.  

There are small motor skill activities like clay, cutting, gluing and coloring (Perfect for my perfectionist two year old).  But there are also plenty of large motor activities like giant blocks, outdoor obstacle course and Legos (just enough to balance the energy of my 5 year old).  Some of the stations were free play, while some of them had themes or suggestions, like creating a "nature" collage or using alien figures for an animation video.  One of my favorites, from an engineering perspective, was the Mystery Box Challenge.  Each family or group gets a box of random scraps of material (string, paper, foam, etc) and a "challenge."  Ours was "Playground for elephants."  My son immediately started gluing things together.  I wanted to brainstorm, create a plan and split up tasks, but I eventually let it go and embraced the random building.

My daughter's favorite?  Princess dress up and Frozen karaoke.  I have the video to prove it.  You can actually choose from a number of kid songs, but "Let it Go" was on heavy rotation. 

My son's favorite?  Programming robots.  Seriously, my 5 year old was programming.

They had a really kid friendly setup with different robot stations that played music, rolled through an obstacle course or made drawings.  They use child-proof iPads to control them, with either a simple interface or preset programming blocks.  Made me wish I could be a kid in this generation, rather than being stuck with Oregon Trail and Basic functions on my TRS80.

So I am now a believer in the power of combining Art and STEM.  It is all about creating something to solve problems, emphasis on CREATIVE.

Bring on the STEAM, especially when robots and princesses are involved. 

The Children's Creativity Museum is at 221 4th Street, San Francisco.  Walking distance from the Powell St. Bart station.  Admission is $12/person;  Open 10am-4pm Wed-Sun (www.creativity.org).  Look for discount tickets through your local library Discover & Go program.

There is also a Carousel ($4/2 rides, discount with museum admission) and free outdoor playground next door.  For older kids, there is an ice skating rink and bowling alley in the same complex.  Plenty of food places are in the nearby Metreon and along 4th street.

YOU are an engineer

en-gi-neer  [en-juh-neer]

noun;  A person trained and skilled in the design, construction and use of complicated products, systems or structures.

Engineering is a difficult field and requires a strong understanding of math and science, but in the real world, there are everyday engineers that do not have formal training, yet "engineer" complex systems on a daily basis.  I call those engineers Moms (or Dads).

Don't get me wrong.  I do not mean to denigrate the intense technical training and experience that I have as an engineer.  The work I and other formally trained Mechanical engineers do may be on a bigger scale, but parents use similar skills and tools to improve their household. 

Just because you do not have a degree in Mechanical engineering or studied a bunch of Physics classes, does not mean you are not Engineering solutions using science and systems every day.  

Think about it...

Have you ever helped your children build a better fort by supporting the walls with extra pillows?

Then you have used physics to spread out the force to balance a structure.

Even creating and managing a meal that your family will eat is a complex process that I have yet to master, let alone replicate on a daily basis.

Have you ever combined ground beef with a liquid to make a burger stick together better?

Then you have used chemistry to break down the collagen to gelatins.

Have you ever made an awesome treat like jello or popsicles?

Then you have used chemistry to change the phase of a liquid to a solid.

Call them Mom Hacks; call them survival tactics;  call them whatever you want, but you are solving problems every day.  Take a moment to be proud of yourself and recognize the engineer in you.

Now how do you get your kids to recognize the engineer in themselves?  Challenge them to ask questions and look for their own solutions to problems.  One of the best ways to do that is for them to follow the Scientific Method:

1.  Observe (Recognize the situation and define the problem)

2.  Make a hypothesis (Identify an idea of how to solve the problem)

3.  Test (Create an experiment or method to try the solution)

4.  Review results (Whether the results are what you expected or not, you can learn from them)

5.  Start again with a refined observation and problem statement (do not give up, this is a continuous cycle.  A failed experiment is not the end; it means it's time for another experiment.)

Remember, you are an engineer too, so share your experiences of how you have tested and learned from your trial and error.  You may not know the official science behind everything, but you know what works and does not in the world around you.  It is practical experience.

I am proud to be an Engineer by training, but I am even prouder of my "engineering" feats in the house.  My goal is someday we will all state with pride, Mom is an Engineer!

Rainy Day Science

With some rainy days here recently, we have had to resort to indoor fun.  What better activity when you are stuck inside than to learn about science!

Here are some of our favorites using common household items. 

Make it rain (in a jar)

http://www.greenkidcrafts.com/make-it-rain/

Water tension with pepper and dish soap (had to do this multiple times to show dad)

http://carrotsareorange.com/preschool-science-surface-tension/

Other water fun

http://learning.innerchildfun.com/2013/04/5-simple-experiments-with-water.html

Density demo with eggs (did not work the first time for us. You need to use a lot of salt.)

http://we-made-that.com/how-are-mountains-made/

Sink or float?  Or better yet, a Lego boat. 

http://handmadekidsart.com/lego-boat-engineering-project-for-kids/

Fun with magnets (magnets are really like magic!)

http://www.racheous.com/montessori-home/exploring-magnetism/#_a5y_p=1858730

Plate tectonics with graham crackers and whipped cream. (Yummy!)

http://we-made-that.com/how-are-mountains-made/

Other edible experiments (because you need to eat)

http://www.buzzfeed.com/morganshanahan/19-kitchen-science-experiments-you-can-eat

What is your favorite rainy day experiment?

5 Book Suggestions for Women's History Month

It's Women's History Month and time to find some good reading material for the kids.  I have only read the first two below, but the others are on my list.

Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought)  (Author) Kathleen Krull

http://www.amazon.com/Lives-Extraordinary-Women-Neighbors-Hardcover/dp/B00EDZ15FM/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457225469&sr=1-2&keywords=lives+of+extraordinary+women+rulers+rebels+and+what+the+neighbors+thought

Lives of Extraordinary Women has short intervals describing the accomplishments and vices of top women throughout history.  From Cleopatra to Aung San Sun Kyi, there is a lot to learn from strong women leaders of the past.  Their stories are not perfect, but do highlight the power that some of these women were able to wield and maintain.  Although some of the details are inappropriate for young kids, I am adapting for bedtime stories for this month.

A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women 

by Lynne Cheney 

http://www.amazon.com/Abigail-Almanac-Amazing-American-Women/dp/0689858191/ref=pd_sim_14_13?ie=UTF8&dpID=61feSfoEcmL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR156%2C160_&refRID=0HKPFQ4Q34GC7GY48SP4

This book is an entertaining who's who of American women, organized by categories, including women in science and math. 

Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women

http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Think-Everything-Ingenious-Inventions/dp/0618195637/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457225201&sr=1-3&keywords=women%27s+history+for+kids

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World 

by Cynthia Chin-Lee 

http://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Zora-Twenty-Six-Women-Changed/dp/1570915237/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=61FSLDPl%2BrL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1A7BQ4G33F0Z1C9BSXQ5

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World

by Rachel Ignotofsky 

http://www.amazon.com/Women-Science-Fearless-Pioneers-Changed/dp/1607749769/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457225671&sr=1-5&keywords=women+scientists+childrens+books

What are your pics for Women's History Month?

STEM events in Bay Area (2/27/16)

Looks like it is STEM season!  Time for some weekend Science, Technology, Engineering and Math events around the Bay Area. 

Mother/Daughter Science Workshop
Have a blast exploring electricity! Mothers and daughters will work together to design and take home a magical motorized fluttering fairy. After a potluck lunch, while the daughters make a second exciting hands-on science project, the mothers will break off to share ideas and resources on ways to encourage daughters in science. Sat., 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Lake Merritt. $115/for two (mother/child). 5-12 (and their moms!). 

http://www.sarahscience.com/pages/mother.html

Bay Area Discovery Museum STEM Superhero Series

Get ready for some serious fun! The STEM Superhero Series invites young visitors to use their STEM superpowers to solve real world challenges. All STEM Superheroes will receive capes to adorn with badges earned at each event; attend all four to complete the mission! Events include special facilitated programs for all ages and performances, all free with admission.

Jan 30: Extreme Water: Super Solving for Drought, Storms & Floods
Feb. 27: Building Big: Super Solving for a Booming California
Apr. 23: Power Up! Super Solving for Food, Waste & Energy
May 14: Code Our Future: Super Solving with Robots

Marin City Library

Kick off the library’s month long STEAM events with a Super Space Party. Build an edible rover and other space fun, included games and snack

http://marinlibrary.org/events-and-programs#/?i=2

Other resources for STE(A)M classes or events:

http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/swenext (New service to get updates on STEM outreach events for girls in your area)

http://youstem.org/main/discover/ (local K-12 opportunities in STEM)

http://www.techbridgegirls.org (Organized STEM events for girls;  often partner with schools and Girl Scouts)

http://engineeringforkids.com/location/sfbayarea

https://tinkergarten.com

Maui with Small kids

I have to admit that a Hawaii vacation is different with small kids. It was a little harder than I expected, but we all survived, had fun and soaked up too much sun. 

Here are my top 5 suggestions 

1.  Snacks

Take advantage of the local snacks to break up the day. They are usually on the sweet side, so we usually limited it to one treat a day. Explore all the shave ice and fruit stands. There are usually banana bread and dried fruit options at any bakery or fruit stand. 

2.  Alternatives to snorkeling

We took turns doing basic snorkeling along some of the beaches we visited, but we could not stray too far from the beach. We found some other ways to give the kids a chance to see the amazing sea life in Hawaii. 

Glass bottom boat - this operation was well run and caters to kids. They have divers that find specimens on the sea floor and bring them up to your window to see in detail. 

Maui Ocean Center - small, but very thorough aquarium. Especially good for a rainy day or when you need a break from the beach. 

3.  Beaches with shade and parking

I quickly learned that shade is a premium on the beach.  It feels like you are constantly slathering your kids with sunblock, so it is nice to be able to retreat to a shaded area rather than baking in the sun.  

By the time you pile up the towels, sand toys and any chairs or umbrellas, there is a lot to carry to the beach. Plus, it doubles in weight after it gets wet. So the closer you can park the better.  We usually left the house right after breakfast. the earlier you get there, the more parking will be available. 

4.  Haleakala Junior Ranger Program

My kids loved this program. The booklets are free at either Haleakala visitor center and there are activities for all ages. My 4 year old was very proud to have a purpose to our hike and get the official jr ranger pin at the end. I believe they have similar programs at most National Patks so I highly recommend asking about this program. 

5. Relax

It was hard for me to let go of my typical schedule watching, but once I let go of trying to do too much, I finally relaxed a little. We would plan most of our activities in the mornings and left the afternoon for nap times and playing in the pool.  I still stressed about meals, but the kids always found something they liked when we went out. 

Simple Generosity for Small Kids

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. And the holiday that is sometimes referred to as a Day of Service, I have been thinking a lot about how to teach my kids about service and why it is important.

First, I want them to understand that the world is bigger than our house and neighborhood.

Second, I want them to be able to connect with people and help with solutions to social problems.

For the first goal, we try to read books about different cultures and places.  As they get older I plan to travel with them farther away from home to experience different areas of the country and the world.

The second goal starts with simple acts of kindness and giving.  I have given a few examples here.  The important thing is to make acts of service part of your everyday life.  Talk about them and how they make you feel and how they make someone else feel.  I also like to frame things as problems to solve.  For instance, if worms that are stranded on the sidewalk are dying, how can we fix that and help them?  Kids are very creative, so you may be surprised at their ingenuity.

10 simple acts of service:

1.  Make it a habit of saying positive things about each person in the family (maybe during a family dinner).

2.  Designate a piggy bank for Donations.  Have your children choose where to donate it.

3.  Bring towels to the park to help dry the equipment after rain or a dewy morning.

4.  Save the worms - help worms stranded on the pavement get to grass after a rainy day.

5.  Bake cookies for a friend (or Firefighter or Mail Carrier).

6.  Write a letter to a friend or family member.

7.  Start a book or toy donation drive with your playgroup.

8.  Pick up trash (at the park or on a walk)

9.  Return your cart to the front of the store or offer it to someone on their way in.

10.  Practice saying Please, Thank You, Your Welcome and I'm Sorry.  

Here are some other resources I have found along the way:

Book recommendations:

Martin's Big Words, The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  By Doreen Rappaport

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh

Children Just Like Me published by UNICEF.  (This is an excellent book that highlights a local child from countries all around the world, including their favorite sports and food and pictures of the family and house.  My son loves finding things in common with the boy from Tijuana, Mexico as well as a young girl in a remote village in Thailand.)

Websites:

Www.iMom.com. Lots of articles about raising kids and family relationships.

Volunteer websites

http://www.allforgood.org/

http://www.volunteermatch.org/