March 1, 2023 – STEM & Science Fairs

STEM & Science Fairs

March 1, 2023

Hey, Mama!

Gena Suarez, Publisher of TOS

Science Is Best When It Teaches About Our Creator

Hey Mama,

While most days we love being homeschooling Mamas, some days are just HARD. Perhaps that’s one reason why #MomFail is all the rage right now. You see it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Some posts are funny, some frustrating, others almost tragic.

But the truth? The mamas I know are committed. They love their families. They’re trying. And the funny thing? Their kids view them as Super-Mama. They don’t see our blunders like we do. Through the “fails,” all the important stuff is getting done. Bellies are full and smiles are big. Kids know – Mama is glue. She holds it together. #NoFail #EpicMama.

So if yesterday’s science experiment didn’t go as planned, shake it off. Your kids have probably already forgotten it (or they thought it was cool that the bubbly mixture spilled all over the table—and blew out a window, LOL). STEM subjects can be frustrating or even intimidating, but they really don’t have to be.

These articles from The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine have some great suggestions:

Getting Into STEM and Robotics at Home, by David Cox
Getting a Head Start with STEM, by Rebecca Wilson
Speak the STEM Lingo, by Teresa Tallman

Another way to make STEM more appealing is to have your kids enter a science fair, either at a local school, a homeschool co-op or the virtual one from SchoolhouseTeachers.com. It doesn’t have to be overly complicated. I know a little girl whose science fair entry showed the different stages of a baby in the womb, with pictures and captions. The girl’s mother was pregnant at the time, so the child was excited to learn her sister-to-be had a heartbeat just twenty-two days after conception and could suck her thumb twelve weeks after conception. The judges were also impressed by her entry. Not only did this little girl come away with a feeling of accomplishment, but she was also able to learn more about the miracle of God’s creation. And that’s ultimately what we want to show our children—that God created us, loves us, and wants a relationship with us through His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. No person or principality can change His love for us.

So, Mama, when you get the urge to post a #MomFail on social media, instead take a moment, and turn your eyes to Him—the One you believe in for salvation. He will never leave you or forsake you, and when you feel weakest, He is STRONG. Let him be your strength. And as you rest in Him, you can take comfort in the fact that His hand is on your head, today, tomorrow, and always.

~gena

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Jeannie Fulbright

Science Fairs Can Boost Your Student’s Confidence

Ready to make science practical and exciting? Put aside your science curriculum for a bit, and join a science fair. Yes. It’s allowed. I promise. Science fairs are immeasurably rewarding. If a child does most or all of the work, a science fair project will teach the scientific method, cultivate initiative, and grow confidence in science.

Follow these steps:

Choose a Science Fair

Search for science fairs in your area or start your own science fair. Alternately, online science fairs are open to all homeschoolers. You can check out Apologia’s online one at www.apologia.com/sciencefair/

Explore Ideas

Start by asking questions about common beliefs or unknown facts. Search online for ideas and use those to generate your own unique project.

Make a Hypothesis

What do you think will happen in your experiment? That is your hypothesis. Design an experiment with controls and variables to test your hypothesis. It doesn’t matter if your hypothesis was correct. Judges desire a well-done experiment, not a correct hypothesis.

Keep a Notebook

Keep records of everything you do, how and when you did it, and what you used.

Create a Presentation

On a trifold board, include photos and explanations of your findings. Practice explaining your project to others.

About the author

Jeannie Fulbright is the creator of the award-winning Apologia Young Explorer science series, the Charlotte Mason Homeschool Planner, Rumble Tumbles Through Time fiction series, as well as many essential tools for your homeschool journey. Find her at: www.JeannieFulbright.com.

Sherri Seligson

Why Participate in a Science Fair?

I know, I know . . . science fairs mean a lot of work, deadlines, and yes, maybe even some tears (I’m talking about the parents, here). But folks, science fairs are great opportunities. They help students better comprehend STEM subjects and see their real-life applications. Additionally, science fair projects help students build creativity. They can immerse themselves in an experiment, by exploring the answer to a question they have, and eventually become something of an expert on the subject.

The best science fair projects answer questions dealing with a student’s everyday life. Go beyond the basic “How Does a Volcano Work?” or “Do Plants Need Sunlight?” Not only will your children work on a unique project, but they will also be more invested in learning about their research. As students brainstorm what they want to explore, have them think about questions that pop up as they go about their day. When their brother drops an apple slice, quickly retrieves it, and then says, “five second rule!” before popping it into his mouth, they might wonder if that five second rule is true. Exactly how long does an apple slice have to be on the floor before it picks up bacteria? They can then purchase inexpensive packs of filled petri dishes (easily found online) and test that question.

Here are some quick pointers:

1. When setting up an experiment, make every component the same except the one you want to test (i.e., same sized apple slices, same procedure, but different durations on the floor).
   
2. Reword your question to make a prediction you want to test; this is your hypothesis (Apples don’t pick up much bacteria until they have been on the floor for over five seconds).
   
3. Record your data in a table and graph it if possible.
   
4. Make sure you can explain your results to someone else.

There are lots of potential experiments available to students, but the best ones come from their own suggestions. A child might be way more excited to test “Do video games really rot my brain?” versus “Do plants need fertilizer?” Both involve critical thinking and creativity, and yet when the student leads the exploration, the fun begins (and greater learning, too)!

About the author

Sherri Seligson, M.Ed. is a twenty-one-year homeschool mom/marine biologist. Authoring Apologia’s science courses, instructional videos, and more, Sherri loves encouraging moms and teaching families the wonders of God’s creation. www.facebook.com/SherriSeligsonAuthor www.sherriseligson.com

Jodi Riddle

Pillar of Faith
Jodi Riddle – Trial and Error

An experiment, according to the 1828 dictionary, is a trial; an act or operation designed to discover some unknown truth, principle, or effect, or to establish it when discovered.

Many times, our entire homeschooling journey could be described in this way. When we start out, we realize that this is like a long-term experiment. It’s trial and error. Sometimes things work well, and sometimes things do not, but we always discover something along the way. We discover unknown things; we develop new principles; and we establish much more than an education.

Trials are not necessarily a bad thing. They help us grow. They test us. They teach us. But even more than that, they give us an end result that allows us to reveal the reason for the experiment in the first place.

Hopefully, your homeschool journey will be one that brings honor and glory to the One who gave you life.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. -1 Peter 1:7

About the author

Jodi started her journey with TOS in April 2016 and serves as the Director of Human Resources. She and her husband, Duane, have been married over 30 years and have spent over 20 years in the ministry. Along with being a pastor’s wife, she homeschooled her 3 (now grown) sons for 18 years and also taught in the private and public-school settings. Jodi enjoys teaching, playing the piano, and making cards. Her heart’s desire is to serve others and use her gifts to glorify the Lord.

Who will win the first NAHC?

Results are now in from Level II of the National Academic Homeschool Competition! Congratulations to the thirty-three students advancing to the championship round and to the top three in their divisions:

Fuller from Maryland (DIV I)
Spousta from Michigan (DIV II)
Higgins from Minnesota (DIV III)

Thank you, CTC Math, for sponsoring this brand new opportunity for homeschooled students.  

Will your teen be a winner in next year’s NAHC? SchoolhouseTeachers.com members can start studying and preparing for the 2024 NAHC already now. Find out more at NAHCRegistration.com.

Calling All Scientists!

It’s time for the 2023 Virtual Science Fair at SchoolhouseTeachers.com. If you have a budding scientist in the house, we want to know what your child discovered this school year! Entries may include science research projects or exhibits. Award certificates will be presented for first, second, and third places in each category.

Visit the Activity/Events tab in your Member Dashboard to find full details and to submit your children’s scientific entries.

Student submissions are being accepted from March 6 through April 7, 2023.

A division of The Old Schoolhouse®

SchoolhouseTeachers.com Corner
Did you know?
Every class is INCLUDED for ultimate members! 
No limits.

Dreaming of homesteading? The benefits are rich, rewarding, and satisfying—but that doesn’t happen overnight. Find out what homesteader Heather Vogler says are the “Homesteading DOs and DON’Ts for Beginners.” Follow the link, and you can read the article right now in the latest issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.

Hey, Mama! Wouldn’t you like to pause from your busy day and listen in to experts and homeschool parents like you about the beautiful world of homeschooling? This new podcast is designed for you. Each episode connects you to the best conversations that will give you courage and fill your cup so you can keep pouring into your family every single day. Introducing, The Hey Mama! Homeschool Show – brought to you by The Old Schoolhouse®—your trusted homeschool partner for over 20 years.

Why is the sky blue? Discover the answer—and more—with simple science experiments you can use in your homeschool with today’s episode of the Hey, Mama! Homeschool Show podcast: “STEM and Science Fairs.” Fall in love with science as Heather Vogler and Sheila Chairvolotti of The Old Schoolhouse® walk through simple, yet fascinating experiments, including a chromatography experiment for botany studies. You will learn about incredible resources available for SchoolhouseTeachers.com members, like World Book access. Plus, you’ll find guidance on selecting a microscope, and you may even be inspired to form your own science co-op. Find even more on STEM and science fairs in the show notes available on HomeschoolShow.com.

The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is now available for FREE online! Click the graphic to read it cover to cover!

Download the free mobile apps at www.TOSApps.com.
Get the print issue here.
VIEW BACK ISSUES: Go here to access all back issues.

Congratulations to our January winner, Stevie Arledge from Irving, TX!

Contest Corner

for the month of March

Blue Skies West

Mattie Richardson
https://www.appaloosybooks.com/

Mattie Richardson authored Blue Skies West, a horse fiction book that takes children and adults westward across new terrain to Oregon country. Indians, buffalo stampedes, bad guys, hunger, raging river crossings, disease, and death. The hardships and dangers never cease, as seen through the eyes of Blue, the family horse that dreams of green pastures ahead.

This paperback book consists of twelve chapters plus an epilogue. It also includes interesting facts about the Oregon-California Trail and the emigrants that traveled it in the Blast from the Past section at the book’s end.

Mattie Richardson also included a comprehensive bibliography at the end of Blue Skies West for any child wishing to read further on the topic of the Oregon Trail.

Blue Skies West is Mattie’s newest book in her Horses in History series, which helps children ages 8-14 see historical events in a whole new way. Through her writing, Mattie makes facts and details memorable through the horses that experience them. Other books in the series include

• Appaloosy (features Storm, a beautiful Appaloosa horse, also heading west)
• Dusty’s Trail (highlights the fearless horse, Dusty, with the Pony Express)
• Golden Sunrise (teaches Cheyenne about the Alamo)
• Day and Night (presents two horses, Day and Night, during the American Civil War)

This is part of a review of the book Blue Skies West. Read the full review on our site which includes more details about the author and her other books. 

Go to the contest page of our site where you can ENTER TO WIN the book Blue Skies West. 

Freebies

Free eBooks

Homeschooling the Rebel, Part 1

Are you at your wits’ end with frustration over a particularly rebellious child? Do you find yourself struggling against a strong will amid tears, screaming, and temper tantrums? There are practical and spiritual answers to be found in this WeE-Book.

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Homeschooling the Rebel, Part 2

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Music Symbols Free Printable

Click on the image for the full free printable pdf.

Share this newsletter with a friend, and be sure to let those CONSIDERING homeschooling know about the enormous FREE info-pack which awaits them here: www.TryHomeschooling.com.