VanCleave's Science Fun

Your Guide to Science Projects, Fun Experiments, and Science Research

Altitude Sickness

By

Notes from Janice’s Desk August already?? Wow! It is almost time for the official football season to start. While I like football OK, my husband is an avid fan. Like most, we support our state college and professional teams. I don’t have to watch a game to know who is winning. That is always very […]

Inertia: Newton’s First Law of Motion

By

Notes from Janice’s Desk Many think the combination of Physics and Fun is an oxymoron. No doubt there are some complex math problems in advanced physics studies, but elementary physics is easy. YES!! I said Physics is EASY!!  Now I guess you want me to support this statement with an easy physics example—No problem. Let’s […]

Measuring Volume

By

Notes from Janice’s Desk Most of my books use measuring tools that you have at home. This is purposely done to encourage more science discovery. I am not minimizing the importance of learning to use science equipment. My thought is that by mastering measuring skills using familiar measuring instruments, kids will be more successful in […]

Dyslexia

By

Notes from Janice’s Desk Kids with learning disabilities are too often thought to have a low IQ. Not so. While dyslexia might slow down a child’s ability to read, that same child might be a whiz with computer games. This I’ve personally observed. My grandson is dyslexic and before he could read a word he […]

Squirrels

By

Notes from Janice’s Desk I love reading helpful hints. A recent find suggested putting red Cayenne pepper on plants to keep squirrels away.  Have you ever tasted food with a LARGE amount of Cayenne pepper on it? I have and can testify that it might be the answer to keeping all living organisms at bay. […]

Archaeology: 5th Episode

By

Episode 5:  Fort James, South Dakota (August 5) The archaeologists of TIME TEAM AMERICA ride to the rescue of a Wild West time capsule. In 1865, a unit of cavalry soldiers thought they had volunteered to fight in the Civil War. Instead, they found themselves sent west to defend pioneer settlers against angry Sioux Indians […]

Measuring Tools

By

Notes from Janice’s Desk Most of my books use measuring tools that you have at home. I am not minimizing the importance of learning to use science equipment. My thought is that by mastering measuring skills using familiar instruments, kids will be more successful in using science instruments. I am happy and honored that kids […]

Science Fair Projects:Question

By

Notes from Janice’s Desk I would like to design a template for science fair projects that provides guidance without producing cloned projects. With this goal in mind, I am going to experiment with different designs and would very much like your input. I’ll work on one part of the project at a time, starting with […]

Chemistry: Science Fair Projects

By

Psssst! Always ask an adult about mixing chemicals. Some things are not safe to mix. Chemistry facts can be used as science fair project topics. Even though the chemistry facts you find in texts may be true, you are to treat them as if they are not true. Following is an example of how to […]