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Home's Cool Learning Activity: Composting Starter Guide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OGAvKbCZek&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: 5+Grades: K+Supplies:• 1-gallon container (clear is nice so you can see the food breaking down)• soil• food scraps• worms (optional)In the United States, it is estimated that 30-40% of food is wasted. That’s more than 100 billion pounds of wasted food! Composting is a great way to make full use of that food material that would normally be thrown away, reducing waste and enabling a household to create their own, nutrient-rich dirt for gardens and planters.Procedure:1. Find a clear bin to store your starter dirt and fill it about ¾ full. We recommend using a container with a lid to help regulate the temperature and humidity, but it’s not absolutely necessary.2. Add kitchen scraps as you have them.3. Stir your compost every day or two to help distribute the material.Thing to compost:• eggshells• banana and orange peels• apple cores• food trimmings• coffee grounds• teabags• corn cobsOther tips:• Do NOT put meat or dairy products into your compost bin unless you want to attract flies and other pests• If you are adding materials with a lot of moisture (watermelon or squash, for example), add a few dry leaves or bits of finely shredded paper to absorb some of the liquid• Smaller items break down faster, so chop your food waste into small bits if possible• If you would like, you can add earthworms to your compost bin to help break down the food particles you add• You can make it easy on yourself by using the Educational Insights Now You See it, Now You Don’t See-Through Container.[caption id="attachment_6422" align="alignnone" width="1000"]
Now You See It, Now You Don't™ See-Through Compost Container[/caption]Resources:Composting overview: https://www.thespruce.com/tips-for-indoor-composting-2539618Indoor composting overview: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/indoor-composting/ 
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!
Now You See It, Now You Don't™ See-Through Compost Container[/caption]Resources:Composting overview: https://www.thespruce.com/tips-for-indoor-composting-2539618Indoor composting overview: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/indoor-composting/ 
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!
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If your kiddos enjoyed this experiment, they’re going to love Nancy B’s Science Club! This line of scientific tools and real-life journaling activities provides hands-on science experiences that get kids comfortable and excited about science, giving them the confidence to pursue science further in school and in life. Science enthusiasts can choose from binoculars, a microscope, telescope, aquascope, compost kit, and more, each including a meaty journal full of activities ranging from discovery and observation to creative writing and drawing. Also, check out the Educational Insights' Discovery & Exploration page for even more curious tools and toys for little and big kids![caption id="attachment_6275" align="alignnone" width="770"]
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If you’ve enjoyed sprouting your very own seeds and creating a visual demonstration of the photosynthesis process, it’s time to do a double take with a super cool plant cloning exercise. Here’s how:Seeing Double!
Photo credit: https://www.clickandgrow.comDid you know that you can clone a plant without using a seed? Yup, it’s true. You can take a cutting from an existing plant, place it in water, and it will grow whatever it’s missing. For example, place a plant’s roots in water and it will grow a stem and leaves. Or place a stem and leaves and the plant with grow roots. Demonstrate this natural magic at home with your own plant cuttings!1. Cut 6” pieces from two different plants with at least four leaves each.2. Strip the leaves on the bottom third of the stem and place each stem in a separate cup of water, making sure no leaves are under water.3. Label your plants and place them in a sunny spot.4. Check on them each day, measuring them for growth, checking for new leaves, and comparing and contrasting any differences or similarities between your two cuttings.5. For add on cloning activities, check out this Nancy B Science Project Worksheet!If your kiddos enjoyed this experiment, they’re going to love Nancy B’s Science Club! This line of scientific tools and real-life journaling activities provides hands-on science experiences that get kids comfortable and excited about science, giving them the confidence to pursue science further in school and in life. Science enthusiasts can choose from binoculars, a microscope, telescope, aquascope, compost kit, and more, each including a meaty journal full of activities ranging from discovery and observation to creative writing and drawing. Also, check out the Educational Insights' Discovery & Exploration page for even more curious tools and toys for little and big kids![caption id="attachment_6275" align="alignnone" width="770"] Nancy B’s Science Club® AquaScope™[/caption] READ MORE
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Procedure:1. Use a funnel to shake 2 tablespoons of baking soda into an uninflated balloon.2. Fill a plastic bottle with ½ cup of white vinegar.3. Remove the funnel and carefully place the open end of the balloon over the mouth of the bottle, without letting the baking soda pour into the bottle.
4. When you’re ready, lift the balloon so the baking soda pours into the bottle.5. Watch the balloon fill up with the gas from the baking soda and vinegar reaction!
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!
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Home's Cool Learning Activity: Make a Baking Soda Balloon https://youtu.be/fSKdbspDO7UHome'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: 5-8Grades: K-3Supplies:• Plastic bottle• Balloon (or rubber glove)• Baking soda• Vinegar
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4. When you’re ready, lift the balloon so the baking soda pours into the bottle.5. Watch the balloon fill up with the gas from the baking soda and vinegar reaction! 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! READ MORE
