Random Musing of The Accidental Bystander: Science Fun

My son loves Science. In this house we try and do some science every day. I am able to create many experiences with the help of internet and buying curriculums with materials included. One of our favorites is the Quirkles. The Quirkles are characters in a series of books based on science. We read the books and do the experiments in the back of the books. I also bought the curriculum package with a huge boxes of everything you need to do all kinds of other experiments. This is a fun curriculum and has enough lessons and ideas to keep a student busy for a couple of years.
The Quirkles' Web Sight.

We also have used an online system called Super Charge Science. This was a more intense and advanced series of lesson and we did not stick with it due to it being a bit over my son's head developmentally. It's still very good and has so much to offer. I had issues with loading the videos and also there was so much reading material that was far to advance for my student. We may go back to this source in coming years. It is very complete.
Sciencelearningspace/ Super Charged Science

Another venue we use is the Arizona Science Center's homeschool classes program. These courses are taught by Mary Katherine Campbell a certified teacher. At least once a month we attend a classes that can range in content from Simple Machines to Insects Study. Last week was by far my son's favorite as it was a class on organs. My son was able to dissect a cow's heart, lung and kidney. Nothing like project bases learning to give hands on synthesized experiences. We watched as a Professor from ASU hooked a shop vacuum up to a cow's respiratory system. The lungs and trachea were all kept in a plastic bag to keep it neat and tidy. So the teacher fit the hose of the vacuum on the trachea ( it fit perfectly) and the lungs filled up and the children got to see how and feel the process of full and empty lungs. The kids love it, I could not help wondering how this experiment was conceived. I picture grad students in a lab, late at night fooling around with a cow's lungs and the shop vacuum. Someone figured out the hose of a shop vacuum fit perfectly on a trachea.

After the cow lung and vacuum experience we move on to the organs. Conor was skilled and curious. He had several tools but preferred the little sharp scissors. I am squeamish and not the best lab partner on dissecting day but I dealt with it and helped. Conor was amazing and he rocked. I kept my self together. It was a good day with guts. We go back again this year for pig's eye and rattle snake dissecting classes.