After School Activities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=62&v=zgF_x7fY9Gc&feature=emb_logoHome's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Michael Sheridan, one of our Product Managers!When the fire is burning inside the glass, it heats up the air inside the bottle. This heated air wants to spread out and escape out the top of the bottle, but the egg is blocking it from doing that. The cool air outside the bottle is at a higher pressure than the air inside the bottle, so it literally pushes the egg into the bottle.Ages: 8+Grades: 3+Supplies:• Egg• Glass bottle or jar with narrow mouth• Lighter (preferably with a long neck) or matchProcedure:1. Ask your parents to help you hard boil an egg.2. Let the egg cool, then carefully peel its shell off.3. Insert a crumpled piece of paper into the glass bottle.4. Ask your parents to drop a match or use a lighter to help you light the paper on fire.BE SURE TO DO THIS STEP OUTSIDE AND AT A SAFE DISTANCE FROM ANYTHING FLAMMABLE.5. With the fire safely contained in the bottom of the bottle, carefully set the egg on the top of the bottle.6. Watch as the egg is slowly sucked into the bottle!How do you get the egg out? Apply the same physics, just in reverse.1. Turn the bottle over so the egg is in the spout.2. Holding the bottle upside down, blow air (or have an adult do this step) into the bottle.3. The air you blow into the bottle will go around the egg and begin to create higher pressure inside the bottle and push the egg back out. EI Product Manager Michael Sheridan is a jack of all trades! An avid surfer and former international soccer competitor, this outdoor and sporting enthusiast also has a degree in Astrophysics from UCLA and eight years of product development experience in a variety of industries. Prior to helping build EI's science products and brain game lines, Michael developed everything from folding chairs to electric scooters and skateboards!

A lot of things remain uncertain as we head into the coming school year. One thing that hasn’t changed, whether you’ll be teaching from the front of the room or your living room, is the emphasis on STEM and STEAM learning. As you head back to school in whatever format that looks like for you, EI is here to help support your STEAM lessons with super-cool, ultra-creative, coding activities, courtesy of Artie 3000![caption id="attachment_6563" align="alignnone" width="840"] Visit codewithartie.com for helpful tips-n-tricks and free downloads![/caption]Artie 3000 – the Coding Robot, makes coding simple, fun, and creative, by enabling kids to create code that Artie draws on paper! Equipped with his own WiFi and built-in coding apps, students can use the classroom computer and Artie’s simple UI to drag-and-drop command blocks. Hit the run button and Artie will execute those commands on a sheet of paper for a totally tangible connection to the code. With this simple UI, point & click programming options, and more advanced computer languages for students ready for a coding challenge, Artie adapts to each of your student’s needs, providing a rewarding coding experience and building STEM confidence.And, with four color pens and easy-to-program shapes, words, and designs, Artie is the perfect tool for engaging the creative kids in your classroom in some serious STEM learning. Write the code, execute it on paper, then color it in – Artie is a technology lesson and art project all in one! In fact, our 45 Things To Do with Artie list includes lots of art activity ideas, ranging from making puppets for a puppet show to door hangers featuring students names, coding and coloring wearable hats for Artie, and more.  Artie also offers RC fun. Students can use the arrow keys on the keyboard to control Artie’s path through the classroom (another simple lesson in coding!). Guide him to set off a student-designed chain reaction, patrol the classroom, select a student to answer a question, and so much more.Best of all, with step-by-step instructions, pre-programmed content, free downloadable content, how-to-videos (including student-produced videos!), and activity ideas from partners including Mensa for Kids, Artie is so easy to use that your students can figure it out without you![caption id="attachment_6577" align="alignnone" width="743"] Photo credit: @miss_luluandbiscuit[/caption]Learn more about Artie 3000 – the Coding Robot at www.codewithartie.com or visit Amazon.com to purchase Artie 3000 for the sale price of $54.99 with Prime delivery!

Over the last 15 years or so, STEM learning has weaved its way into the American curriculum, with STEM activities showing up in classes as early as preschool. But what IS STEM? And why is it so important?STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – areas that are growing by leaps and bounds as we become more and more reliant on technology. In fact, while there are millions of jobs in STEM fields around the world, employers are struggling to fill them because, until recently, these subjects were not emphasized in schools. Current thought holds that exposure to these subjects and opportunities to explore them through hands-on learning experiences will excite kids and inspire them to continue to study STEM subjects and then go on to pursue STEM-related careers.Teachers across the country have been working hard to infuse their daily lessons with STEM examples, ideas, conversations, activities, and experiments. And you can, too! The STEM experts at EI are sharing easy ways to introduce and reinforce STEM learning right now, at home![caption id="attachment_6537" align="alignnone" width="840"] GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope[/caption]S is for ScienceKids are naturally curious about science and there’s not a rug rat around who doesn’t love an awesome science experiment. Introducing your little ones to the amazing world of science is easy, with the GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope! Featuring extra-large, dual eyepieces and a chunky, kid-sized focusing knob, this sturdy microscope is perfect for preschoolers. Kids collect everyday objects, place them on the sample tray, turn on the LED light, and take a peek to see their object magnified up to 8x larger. They can examine everything from a postage stamp to a piece of pizza, gaining an understanding of the physical composition of different objects around them and getting invaluable, hands-on experience with a real, scientific tool! On sale NOW for $14.14 on Amazon Prime. Keep the science fun going with the FREE, downloadable science activities and Home’s Cool Videos on our website, like our beginning science activity cards and erupting apples experiment how-to video![caption id="attachment_6538" align="alignnone" width="840"] Artie 3000™ The Coding Robot[/caption]T is for TechnologyCoding is a key STEM skill and kids as young as 7 years old can get in on the fun, thanks to Artie 3000 the Coding Robot, the creative way to learn to code! Using a computer or tablet, and Artie’s on-board WiFi, kids follow easy instructions to create the code, then Artie draws whatever they’ve coded. Artie’s simple set up and pre-programmed designs are perfect for beginners; more advanced coders can create their own, custom code. From basic shapes to advanced drawings, words, even secret code, Artie grows with your child as their skills advance. Check out this amazing list of 45 fun things to do with Artie 3000 and the awesome Artie Home’s Cool Video series for a visual how-to. Available on Amazon Prime for $54.99.[caption id="attachment_6540" align="alignnone" width="840"] Design & Drill® Space Circuits[/caption]E is for EngineeringKids as young as five years old can explore the incredible world of engineering with Design & Drill® Space Circuits sets! Mini-STEMgineers use a kid-friendly drill to complete 20 space-themed missions, including making lights turn on and off, spinning simple motors, activating buttons and switches, and more, all while building basic problem-solving skills and gaining an understanding of simple circuitry. On sale now on Amazon Prime for just $27.70! Looking for even more building and construction fun? Browse our At-Home Activities page and Home’s School Videos for additional activities including drawing with your drill and practicing simple bolt addition.[caption id="attachment_6541" align="alignnone" width="840"] Hot Dots®[/caption]M is for MathMake math practice WAY more fun, with interactive Hot Dots®! The Hot Dots Jr. Let’s Master Pre-K Math set gives kids a jumpstart on math success with 85 pre-K math lessons, 15 advanced lessons, and a talking pen. Preschoolers press Ace-the Talking, Teaching Dog Pen to any answer dot for an immediate audio and visual response. Silly sounds and fun phrases keep kids engaged and motivated as they tackle lessons on counting, numbers, patterns, time, fractions, and more. Available now on Amazon Prime for $30.14. Kids can also practice counting, numbers, patterns, sequences, shapes, colors, and more with the free, downloadable math activities on our website!With a bit of forethought, sneaking some STEM learning into your at-home play time is simple – and fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMEC2e8_Km0&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Stacie Palka, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 4+Supplies:• Waxed paper• Colored Tissue paper• Construction paper• Scissors• Iron (for adult use)• Yarn (to hang your suncatcher)• Hole punch• Glue stickProcedure:1. Use your scissors to cut brightly colored tissue paper into small shapes like hearts, circles, and stars.2. Cut 2 sheets of wax paper to the desired size of your suncatcher.3. Let your child arrange the tissue paper pieces on one piece of the wax paper, leaving a bit of space between each piece.4. When they’re done, place the second piece of wax paper on top.*Adult assistance needed with the below steps.5. Turn the iron to a low setting.6. Place a dishtowel carefully over the wax paper (to protect the iron).7. Slowly run the iron over the dishtowel (placed over the suncatcher).8. After about 2 minutes, lift the dishtowel to see if the wax paper layers have adhered together. If not, continue ironing and checking until the two pieces are stuck together.9. If there is any excess wax paper, trim it off, leaving a little bit of space around the edge.10. Show your child how to cut your sheet of construction paper into four equal strips to make a frame around your suncatcher.11. Let your little one glue the paper frame around the edges of the suncatcher.12. Punch a hole in the top of the frame.13. Use yarn or string to tie a loop and hang your suncatcher in a bright, sunny window!With first-hand experience teaching Kindergarten and first grade and 13 years of product development know-how, EI Product Manager Stacie Palka is uniquely qualified to develop products that spark curiosity and a-ha moments. When she's not coming up with cool (and smart!) new ways to play, So Cal native and board game buff Stacie is caring for her two kids and adorable doggo, Frankie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=HhFjZMqeZIE&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-5Supplies:• Playfoam• Construction Paper• Tape• Scissors• Marker• Googly EyesProcedure:1. Cut out a head shape, use a marker to draw a nose, mouth, and ears, and add googly eyes.2. Secure the face to the table with tape.3. Start sculpting! Use Playfoam to create silly hairdos. Try pony tails, a perm, or even a mohawk!Sahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFxThjSZjmU&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Michael Sheridan, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 4-12Grades: pre-K-6Supplies:• Cardboard box• 2 Similar-sized objects• Camera or phone with slow-motion video capabilitiesProcedure:1. Stand a cardboard box on end, with the open flaps facing you.2. Set up your slow-motion camera to record the objects falling.3. Using one hand to support the flap, place both objects on one flap of the cardboard box and make sure they are not moving.4. Start recording on the slow-motion camera.5. Drop the flap on the cardboard box.6. Watch the video of the objects falling. Are they falling at the same speed? Or is one object falling faster than the other? Try dropping other objects! Do you notice any relationship between the shape and how the object falls? How about the size? Or weight?Explanation:The force of gravity is all around us. We experience it every day on Earth, whether or not we think about it. Sir Isaac Newton was the first to develop a mathematical explanation for gravity, which includes the importance of mass and distance. If an object has a lot of mass (is very heavy) then it will impose a larger gravitational force than other, smaller objects experience.When we drop two objects like the ping pong ball and tangerine in the video, they fall to the ground because the force of gravity is pulling them toward the center of the Earth. This gravitational force applies to everything on Earth, from an apple growing on a tree to a car parked on the street, and even planes in the sky.Now it’s time to experiment with dropping different objects! Be sure you aren’t dropping anything that might break. As mentioned in the video, this experiment is ignoring the effects of air resistance. Since we are in our homes and not a science lab, we can see how gravity affects all objects, but we can also see how the shape of an object changes the air resistance it feels as it falls to the ground.For this experiment, we are focusing on Newton’s Second Law, or F = ma.This law says the force an object feels (in this case, the force of gravity from Earth) equals the mass of that object (how heavy it is) multiplied by the acceleration it experiences. Everything on Earth feels the same acceleration toward the center of the Earth.So, what happens if we drop a ping pong ball and a baseball? A baseball weighs about 145 grams but a ping pong ball weighs about 3 grams. The acceleration is the same since both objects are on Earth, so the force the baseball feels is about 50 times as large as the force the ping pong ball feels (because it weighs almost 50 times as much).Why does it look like they reach the ground at the same time? The reason is inertia. Inertia is resistance to acceleration and depends on how much something weighs. If something weighs more, it won’t accelerate as fast. That’s why the ping pong ball starts to fall faster than the baseball.If we repeat this experiment with different-shaped objects, we can see the effects of air resistance. Try this out a piece of paper and a ball. The ball is round so the air can move around it easily, but the paper is a large rectangle, making it difficult for the air to go around it. The air resistance slows down the acceleration of the paper toward the ground, which is why it moves back and forth and reaches the ground after the ball.EI Product Manager Michael Sheridan is a jack of all trades! An avid surfer and former international soccer competitor, this outdoor and sporting enthusiast also has a degree in Astrophysics from UCLA and eight years of product development experience in a variety of industries. Prior to helping build EI's science products and brain game lines, Michael developed everything from folding chairs to electric scooters and skateboards!