[Cabinanteerip]

cal poly dave--


like others, i commend you on your desire to do hands-on teaching these young minds.


some ideas came to my mind:


1)a simple seed-planting project with the use of pyramids v.s. control plants.


2)another simple plant project with already-sprouted plants and watering them with control water v.s. microwaved water that had been nuked, then used (cooled down, of course). watch what happens to the microwave-watered plants. shocking, i'll tell ya.


3)magnets are awesome things to play with. use magnets of various sizes and you can do all sorts of experiments with them. you can demonstrate the magnetic fields by having the magnets below a flat sheet. you can have the kids play around with the magnets and getting the feel of the repulsion/attraction of them. you can explain that the basic repulsion/attraction forces of the positive/negative is the basic energy that drives the entire universe, etc.


4)simple sterling engines are fun things to play with that demonstrates the principles of heat/energy transfers; also, those glass domes with spinning "paddles" that are painted white/black that spin when put in the sun--that can be fun, too.


i have done one simple experiment with magnets that demonstrates the counter-rotating fields that these magnets create, so feel free to pm me and i can share it with you. it's a simple, easy-to-do project that is entertaining.


since you appear to be in california, i highly suggest that you go to this awesome place where there's a good couple of a dozen exhibits that engage the imagination of kids while demonstrating scientific principles:


http://www.nevco.k12.ca.us/imaginar.htm


it's an awesome place and even i learn things every time i go there. if you decide to go see it, let me know and i'll take you to there and to lunch on me.


~seth