A first grade science fair project enables a first grader to learn science in a fun way. Science fair projects plant the seed of interest in science, in a child. It inflames their imagination and arouses their interest in the world around them. The first grade is the ideal time to introduce a child to the amazing world of science and allow the child to explore and satiate his or her curiosity. The child also learns to be methodical and organized as the project follows a scientific method and is based on scientific concepts and principles which children are able to grasp easily.
While a classroom lecture often tends to be one-sided with the teacher giving the maximum amount of inputs, a project focuses on the creativity and initiative of the child. The child is involved in his project a hundred percent. Science fair projects also help in strengthening the bond between parents and children, as the child usually turns to the parent for topic ideas and finally choosing the topic.
For a first grade science fair project to be successful, the following tips should be kept in mind.
1.Allow the child to choose the experiment only if the topic interests the child. If they don’t want to do it, you’ll struggle the whole time.
2.While the teacher or parent can lend a helping hand and guide the child, the child should be allowed to work independently. No adult should ever take complete control of the project. The adult should just keep an eye open to ensure that there are no accidents or mishaps. Suggestions and guidelines can also be given but the child should be allowed to do the experiment and draw his or her own conclusions from it. This way a child learns much more.
3.Allow the child to have fun while doing the project
4.Allow the child to experiment as one project idea can lead to many questions and new ideas.
5.Allow the child to be creative as a child can have an entirely different perspective about the project.
There are thousands of ideas. A few are:
1.To explain the concept of density, put an egg in a bowl of water and see if it floats or sinks. Replace the water with salt water, sugar water, oil and various other liquids of different densities and record the results.
2.Make a simple lever with a pencil and an ice cream stick. Balance coins on both ends and explain the principle.
3.Test the magnetic force of a magnet by covering it with paper, plastic, aluminum foil etc. Check its magnetic power.
4.Make different designs of airplanes and test which ones fly the best.
5.Find out if white or dark objects get heated faster in the sun.
6.Demonstrate how a solar/lunar eclipse occurs.
7.Make a compass with a needle and cork.
8.Plant seeds and watch them grow.
9.Explain the water cycle.
So, a first grade science fair project is a scientific experience and will be one that child will never forget.
By: Jordan Matthews
Posts Tagged ‘Helping Hand’
1st Grade Science Fair Projects
April 29th, 2010Have Most Gemstones Been Treated or Altered?
October 25th, 2009
Consumers purchase literally billions of dollars worth of jewelry each year. However, very few know what a large percentage of the stones in a typical jewelers store have been altered or enhanced by heat, exposure to nuclear irradiation, infusions with glass or resins to hide cracks, or some other process. The percentage of treated stones on the market is quite large and the savvy jewelry buyer should know exactly what he or she is buying.
Since the dawn of civilization, jewelry artists have treated gemstones to enhance their beauty and value. Sometimes this was done in honesty simply to improve the gem, but other times it was done with intent to deceive the buyer. In recent decades, with the scientific advances that have been made, the alteration and enhancement of gemstones has become both commonplace and increasingly sophisticated.
Natural gemstones are rare. Only a comparative few of the stones that are mined consist of the very best quality. If the natural stones that are not the very best can be improved to increase their beauty, and the changes are permanent and fully disclosed to the buyer, why not take the efforts to make a gem crystal put forth its very best appearance? Stones that are naturally nothing much to look at can be made quite beautiful. Many simply view gem enhancements as lending nature a slight helping hand to finish the job started deep inside the earth. Of course, the issues of gem enhancement are just not that simple. While some of these changes are indeed permanent and nearly impossible to detect even with specialized scientific equipment, such is not always the case.
Unfortunately, the positive results of some gem treatments are only temporary, some can even make the gem hazardous to the wearer by making the stone radioactive, and others may hide an otherwise weak or damaged stone making it appear as if it were fully sound. Therefore it’s worthwhile to know something about gem treatments. The goal of most gem treatments is to alter the crystal structure of the gem to improve its color or hide its flaws. In some cases materials are added to fill cracks and hide other flaws or inclusions – but these additions do not significantly improve its strength. Common gemstone treatments include heat from warm to bright white heat, infusion with glass or other materials, irradiation with a variety of forms of radioactive energy from beta particles to neutrons and gamma rays as well as alteration of the gem with various dyes.
If the seller fully discloses the treatment of a gem to the buyer, including a full description the permanence of the changes and how the enhancements may affect the value and wear ability of the gem, then there is no deception or dishonesty in gemstone treatment.
However, because processes as simple as ultra sonic cleaning of the gemstone may remove or reverse some alterations, and heat may destroy some treatments, it is only fair that the buyer needs to know these things. Unfortunately, many times there is not full disclosure of all the potential problems by the seller. Enhanced gems are sold as if they were fully natural and the buyer does not know what he or she is purchasing – and that is wrong. Of course, the value of a truly natural fine piece is definitely greater than a treated stone, so there is a financial incentive for sellers to mislead their customers. It is not always the fault of the jeweler, as he is often sold treated stones without proper disclosure by wholesalers and other suppliers.
By: Chris Ralph
