Mobile Science Lab

Today the older kids went to the Mobile Science Lab for which I had signed them up earlier in the semester.  The lab is an awesome project of Joe and Nell Estes, and they travel around Georgia bringing science to public, private, and home educators.  Check out their website at http://www.scienceacademysite.com/ .

The facility is actually a trailer they pull behind their vehicle, and it has everything in it from microscopes and chemistry equipment, to preserved specimens and fossils.  It can hold up to 20 student (it would be a tight squeeze), but in our class this morning there were only three.  It's truly a sight to behold, especially for someone with a background in science.  I have to say, I felt a twinge of envy that I didn't have such an awesome set-up for my kids!  I loved that real science lab clutter feeling that I think only someone who has worked in a lab for years can appreciate.

 The lesson for today was called "Lighter than Air".  The topic was helium, and the children did experiments with bubble solutions.  They used helium to make bubbles and the bubbles floated up, up, up.  I just sat there thinking "Why didn't I think of that?!"  The bubbles made with air, of course, just drooped out of their container.  But it was pretty cool watching the bubbles made with helium detach from the rest of the suds and take off for the ceiling.

Then Mr. Estes took the kids outside and let them watch the bubbles head for the clouds.  Jacob initially got to hold the tub of suds (against my better judgment, but then I wasn't the teacher, so I minded my own business), and within 10 seconds the tub and all of it's contents had been dumped to the ground (Yes, you'll hear my exasperated voice in the video.  I had been warning him about his goofing off just before it happened and I was pretty tired of it at this point, so forgive the Friday Morning Mommy Voice.)  We had to get another tub and start over, with another child holding the tub of sudsy water.

Despite the spill, the kids loved the class, though it was only 45 minutes long.  We look forward to the next time the Mobile Science Lab is in our area.  They offer paleontology for preschoolers and early elementary, chemistry for all different levels, electronics, vulcanology, and lots of other programs.  Once again, I am in awe of all the wonderful opportunities we've had in homeschooling since living here.  Albany really is a great place to homeschool!