Homeschool Parent

PART 3

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]

PART 2

If your little green thumb couldn’t get enough of our Let It Grow germination activity, it’s time to get ready, get set, get growing with this fun at-home photosynthesis project! Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to visually demonstrate this incredible process:

Just Breathe!

Photo credit: sciencewithme.comPhotosynthesis is the process plants use to make their own food. This process requires just three things: carbon dioxide from the air, water, and sunlight.Plants absorb the carbon dioxide through small pores in their leaves. Special chemicals in their leaves allow them to absorb sunlight. And they use their roots to absorb water.Once a plant has absorbed sunlight, it uses that energy to split the water molecules absorbed by the roots into hydrogen and oxygen. The plant uses the hydrogen and the carbon dioxide it’s absorbed from the air to create glucose – or plant food! But what happens to the oxygen? Let’s find out!1. Pick a green leaf from a plant.2. Place it in a container of water and find out! (Psst… the graduated cylinder in the Nancy B’s Science Club® Stir-It-Up Chemistry Lab is perfect for this activity.)3. After about an hour, you’ll see lots of tiny bubbles. This is the oxygen being released from the leaf during the photosynthesis process! Use a magnifying glass for a closer look.Now that you know how plants thrive and grow, check out how they grow hydroponically with our seed germination activity. Click here for simple instructions!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!

PART 1

Plant the seeds of learning with a few of our favorite at-home activities designed to provide hands-on experience with scientific tools and processes! Start with this fun seed germination activity – and don’t worry, if you’re saying ‘seed what?’ we’ve got you covered!Photo credit: https://www.lovethegarden.com/What is germination?  It's the process by which an organism grows from a seed or similar structure. The most common example of germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed.

Root It Out!

Inside every seed is a plant just waiting to come out! Seeds can be big or small and come in all shapes and sizes, but the process of germination, or a seed developing out of dormancy, is the same. And you can do it at home!1. Wet a paper towel with water and place four or five seeds (pea or bean seeds are great!) on top.2. Wrap the towel around the seeds, place it in a sealable plastic bag, close the bag, and put it in a warm place, like on the windowsill.3. Wait a few days, then open the bag, unwrap the towel, and check your seeds. Have they germinated? You’ll know if you see the start of small roots coming out of one end of the seed. This means they’re ready to be planted!4. Dig a small hole in the dirt of your garden, drop them in, and pack the dirt around them, and be sure to water them dailyORPlace the germinated seeds in the basket of the Nancy B’s Science Club® Way to Grow Hydroponics Kit, place the baskets in the water-filled flasks, and watch through the water as your plants grow.[caption id="attachment_6211" align="alignnone" width="843"] Nancy B's Science Club® Way to Grow Hydroponics[/caption]If you enjoyed the germination process, you’re going to love our photosynthesis activity – here is a free printable with step-by-step instructions![caption id="attachment_6218" align="alignnone" width="680"] Click to Download[/caption]And if your family can’t get enough of science, 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, 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.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaYPxTcKbPQ&t=17s 

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://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• VinegarProcedure: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!

We have all been missing our loved ones. We bet your kiddos are really missing their friends too! These free printable greeting cards have been created especially for you to make it easy to let them know you are thinking of them.[caption id="attachment_6083" align="alignnone" width="680"] Click image to download: HUGS Card[/caption]National Best Friends Day is June 8 and this is a great way for your little ones to show their love and learn the value of good ol' fashioned snail mail! In a time when we all need love, support, and encouragement more than ever before, these adorable, downloadable, mailable cards are an easy way to spread the love.[caption id="attachment_6079" align="alignnone" width="680"] Click image to download: Full-Color Frankie[/caption][caption id="attachment_6081" align="alignnone" width="680"] Click image to download: DIY Frankie Coloring Card[/caption]Start with a list of friends and family near and far – don’t forget the grandparents! Then let your child choose the right card for each person on their list. Print, color (if you’ve chosen a color-in-card), then write a sweet note or draw a fun picture on the inside, sign, and send![caption id="attachment_6085" align="alignnone" width="680"] Click image to download: PLAY card[/caption][caption id="attachment_6089" align="alignnone" width="680"] Click image to download: Sneaky Snacky DIY Coloring Card[/caption][caption id="attachment_6087" align="alignnone" width="680"] Click image to download: Sneaky Snacky Full Color Card[/caption]After all, who doesn’t love getting mail? Spread the love! ????