Lets' Rock N Roll !

I purchased a Rock Tumbler sometime in October when they had a sale going on at Micheals. I finally pulled it out for my kids to give it a try before I did this project with the preschoolers. The process of rock tumbling is not a quick one. In fact we are still working on this project.  In effort to keep my post short this will be part one of this project. The question that was asked to me by the children is What other things can you use  rocks for?

                                          Step1: Starting to Tumble

The stones that came with the rock tumbler. Also a small chart was included to help identify what type of rocks they are.

                                  First rinse the stones.

                              Fill the barrell with the stones.

                                     Add step 1 grinding powder.

           
                                    Cover the stones with water.

                       This is what it looks like inside of the barrel.

 Now the  rocks will tumble for two days. I want to share with you that this rock tumbler was relocated at least three different times due to the noise it creates. If you plan to do this for the first time I suggest you find a place where noise won't be a factor. DJ wanted this to be in his bedroom, he quickly requested it to be removed .

                                                                
                                        Step 2: Continuing to Tumble
                                                                     
Pour the contents out of the barrel. It best that you use a strainer, but after looking at this I kinda was turned off to use my strainer. I didn't know if I would be able to ever look at my strainer again the same way. Lol!

                               
                                  Rinse the stones.

                       Place the stones back in the barrel.

    Add step 2  Fine grinding powder. Select four days for your rocks to tumble.

                                                                            
Now we are on Step 3 Polishing. I think by next Sunday we should have some beautiful rocks to show you and  wonderful examples to show how we can use rocks. To see other activities that children have been doing with science pop over to Science Sunday hosted by Adventures In Mommydom.

Meet Squidy

My kids thought they knew everything there was to know about the experiment "Sink or Float" so this week I added a new concept for them to explore. The classic experiment the Cartesian Diver. Its' named for the Frenchman, Rene Descartes who made huge contributions to science, math and philosophy.

Squidy

 The kids call "squidy" their new pet. On command Squidy will dive to the bottom or swim to the top of the soda bottle.

                

To make Squidy work you have to use a pipette, a hex nut. You have to build  the diver(pipette) by squeezing just enough water in the pipette and then you must test float it to make sure it works. Then you fill a soda bottle all the way to the brim. Put Squidy in the bottle and squeeze the bottle with both hands and tell Squidy to swim or dive.

Swim.

Dive.

 The original Cartesian Divers were made out of glass medicine droppers or delicate glass ampules. My kids love this experiment all week they were independently doing this experiment, trying really hard to get the water levels right to command Squidy to swim or dive. I am happy for this experiment because I saw them actually using the scientific method every step of the way, and now they know "Sink or Float " is still an experiment to explore at deeper levels.To see other science activities that children are doing go visit Adventures In Mommydom.