We’re embarking on our explorations of the Winter Solstice, Advent time, and how humans have experienced the natural Sleeping Time on our planet over the course of our existence. Last night, we watched the 1994 version of Alcott’s, “Little Women” together. Lily seemed to enjoy it, though it was a bit longer than her attention could […]
Out of Africa, Or….
It started with the Croods… and then we watched a variety of videos (noted below) that explored the origins of humans, potential adaptations and various “types” of human through the last 40,000 years, and even explored a couple existing societies that we have collectively determined are the closest representations we presently have of a previous […]
Electrons – Continuing Elemental Exploration
Always in Motion As you know, electrons are always moving. They spin very quickly around the nucleus of an atom. As the electrons zip around, they can move in any direction, as long as they stay in their shell. Any direction you can imagine — upwards, downwards, or sidewards — electrons can do it. Electrons […]
The Table of Elements
While we’ve discovered 118 elements in the physical world, there are 25 (or so) Minecraft elements. This is the beginning of our exploration. Elements as Building Blocks The periodic table is organized like a big grid. Each element is placed in a specific location because of its atomic structure. As with any […]
Tsankawi
And here was our afternoon… We talked about Africa, primarily Eastern Africa, and the region surrounding Kenya, where a friend Lily made last fall spends a fair portion of her time. We also read: We’re exploring these topics, specifically on a global perspective. She’s learned that 100 cents = 1 dollar, and we’re […]
She Asked… Oil
She asked about oil, where it comes from and how it gets processed so we can use it in cars, etc.. We have spent most of today exploring how crude oil has formed, how it is extracted, refined, and finally delivered for our consumption. We’ve also talked about fracking for natural gas, the uses of […]
Because it Will Make Things Easier
We’re learning about historical inventions. I asked her why inventions and inventing stuff mattered… “Because it makes things easier.” Over the next few months, we’ll explore in depth, the various inventions in this book, as well as others she happens to find intriguing/asks about.
Circuitry, Electrons, Atoms, and Catfish
A post under development – as we work through her Tinkercrate (Circuits) this week: Today we read through the Tinkerzine, learning about the basics of electrons, the concepts of particles within an atom, the structure and concept of an atom, how electrons behave, the difference between a particle, an atom, and a molecule, and discovered […]
Female US Presidential Candidates – History
An ongoing discussion on politics, equality, and government… Female US Presidential Candidates Presidential candidates: party nominees[edit] Year Name Party Running Mate Votes Ballot Access 1872 Victoria Woodhull Equal Rights Party Frederick Douglass [1] 0 states 1884 Belva Ann Lockwood National Equal Rights Party Marietta Stow[2] 4,149 6 states [3] 1888 Belva Ann Lockwood […]
Titanic, Hindenburg, H2O, and Plasma
We began our day talking about H2O, then discussed the Titanic, then the Hindenburg, then Mark Twain, then helium, then steam and how the Titanic was powered, which led to evaporation and the water cycle, and how snow is formed. We then studied snow under the microscope, and then onto the Plasma ball and conductivity. […]