In Science this week

Currently, we are studying Apologia’s Exploring Creation in Botany.  I purposely waited until the Spring to do this book, with the intent of doing the planting projects.  As Noah read his lesson each day, he excitedly tells me each sentence.  Or it seems like it is every sentence!  But excitement in learning is a great thing. 
To begin learning about plants and how they grow.  We planted herbs.  He is so excited and can’t wait until they grow, because he has big plans to make herbal soap for gifts for his family! {So, if you are reading this, and are in his family…forget I said that :) }  We will also make some tea!

We have a total of four trying to grow.  They are thyme, cilantro, lemon balm, and spearmint.  It’s a good thing this is Noah’s project.  The poor plants may have a chance, considering I have no luck with growing plants!
This week we are learning about seeds.  He dissected a bean seed, and because they are slightly bigger, I used a kidney bean. 

After he split the kidney bean, he drew it and labeled it to put in his Science Notebook.

Science Experiment - Blubber

Noah has been learning about whales and pinnipeds (seals, and sea lions).  So, yesterday, it was time for an experiment.  This always makes Noah’s day….experiment time! 
He was to “test” whether the blubber on the whales gave them much protection in the icy waters. 
We got out our ingredients… petroleum jelly, gloves, and ice water.  


He stuck two gloves on each hand, adding 1-2 inches of petroleum jelly to the other hand. 
Hint: when testing make sure you don’t stick your wrist in also – that isn’t covered.  :)  We had to test twice.  You know, just to make sure he couldn’t hold his hand in the water longer. 

Get a stopwatch, and time how long he can hold his hand in the ice water.  Test each hand separately.

He got a big kick out of his “blubber” hand. 

Final step: write down the observations in the Science Speculation Sheet. 
This is the book we are doing right now for science.   I love it!

From Apologia Science