Posts Tagged parents.

STEM Tuesday– Electricity — Writing Tips and Resources

By on December 16, 2025   /   Electricity, STEM Tuesday  

Writing tips & more!

Electricity

Activities with electricity can be dangerous, of course, but there is the old standby – static electricity. While under some circumstances, static electricity can be extremely hazardous, small amounts are fun for kid activities. Many people will remember rubbing a balloon on your head and then watching your hair stand up straight.

Static Electricity

Static electricity is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material. The charge remains until it can move away as an electric current or by electrical discharge. The word “static” is used to differentiate it from current electricity, where an electric charge flows through an electrical conductor. (from Wikipedia)

For youngsters, there is nothing like music to make learning a concept exciting. Composer Sherri Boekweg is a singer/songwriter from Utah, and this video gives a great and catchy explanation.

From the Minnesota Children’s Museum comes Three Fun Static Electricity Experiments to Do at Home. Bending water, separating pepper and salt, and can races are like magic – educational and entertaining.

Three Fun Static Electricity Experiments to Do at Home

Etch-A-Sketch

One toy that has been around for 60 years is based on static electricity. According to the Strong National Museum of Play, it was invented in the 1950s by French electrical technician André Cassagnes. The silvery screen is aluminum particles and plastic beads that are removed by a stylus to make marks. Static charges hold the mixture of aluminum powder and tiny plastic beads to the screen and shaking it erases the lines.

Science journal

I am a huge advocate for science journals for all ages. The journals really bring in the STEAM concepts that can include writing, art, and design. Journal keeping involves planning, observation, communication, research and referencing, and much more, especially if children construct their own journals. I have included book making in past posts.

For older students, The California Academy of Sciences offers a step-by-step guide to setting up a science notebook, including Strategies for Reflection and Notebook Stories. Being flexible with content makes it more meaningful to students. Let them express opinions and observations.

https://www.calacademy.org/educators/setting-up-your-science-notebooks

Teacher Lessons

One of my favorite sites for teachers is Teachers Pay Teachers. Here are some offerings.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bill-Nye-STATIC-ELECTRICITY-Video-Guide-Quiz-Sub-Plan-Worksheets-Lesson-4397449

Designing an electrical safety poster.

Some rules for designing posters. This page is about designing environmental posters but it has practical information about target audience, visuals, and text.

https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/kids/activities/be-a-scientist/design-a-poster

https://www.twinkl.com/resource/design-an-electrical-safety-poster-activity-t-sc-1711982676

Twinkl is a new site for me. The website says:

Experienced educators, professional graphic designers, and market-leading illustrators creating award-winning K-12 resources for use at school and home.

A basic membership is free but you can subscribe to a Premium Account. I don’t know anyone who is a member so I am not recommending, simply making readers aware of its existence. Like anything online, take care.

Margo Lemieux – is an author, illustrator, former art professor, and, even though retired, still does all those things and more.

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STEM Tuesday– Zombies (Real and Otherwise)– Book List

By on October 7, 2025   /   STEM Tuesday, Zombies  

Zombies, monsters, and mummies – oh my! These are the stuff of nightmares… or of awesome Halloween costumes! But are they real? Let’s use science to find out.

Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature’s Undead by Rebecca L. Johnson

Zombies are real … but so far, the zombie-makers don’t attack humans. Yet. They do take over the brains and bodies of spiders and ants, flies and snails, and even rats. Not only that, some of these zombies are too small to avoid, until it’s too late. Like the teeny tiny wasps and fungal spores, and the totally invisible viruses. And then there are the brain worms! A must-read for anyone planning to hunt for zombies in their backyard!

Monster Science: Could Monsters Survive (and Thrive!) in the Real World? by Helaine Becker

Monsters aren’t real… are they? For the most part, no – although there ARE zombies among us. This book shows the real science relating to the monsters of myth and legend: genetics and electricity, for Frankenstein’s monster, and hybrids and genetic engineering for possible werewolves. And (as in the case of zombies) sometimes we’re surprised when the real monsters do show up!

Frightlopedia: An encyclopedia of Everything Scary, Creepy, and Spine-Chilling, from Arachnids to Zombies by Julie Winterbottom

An encyclopedia of scary stuff with horrifying hands-on activities. From bird-eating tarantulas to vampire bats and zombies this book will definitely make you shiver. Learn how to make fake blood and send coded messages to aliens. Tucked amongst the science are a handful of ghost stories and mythology and some bits about killer bees, stonefish, and Komodo dragons.

Animal Zombies! And Other Bloodsucking Beasts, Creepy Creatures, and Real-Life Monsters by Chana Stiefel

Full of eye-catching, vividly detailed, photographs which delve into the living dead, bloodsuckers, creeps from the deep, animal aliens, and animal monsters. Each chapter also profiles a “Mad Scientist” offering insights into how they got started, their research, and interesting or unique things to know about their field. It also includes a look at pop culture and myths surrounding zombies, vampires, kraken, aliens, and werewolves.

Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control by Mindy Weisberger

This is for older readers or those looking for additional information on insect zombification. Using an engaging conversational voice, pop culture references, vivid descriptions, and a dose of the macabre, the book explores the horror and science of zombie ants, flies, beetles, cicadas, spiders, roaches, and ladybugs from around the world. And shines a light on the responsible fungi, viruses, wasps, flies, and worms.

MUMMIES TELL NO LIES…

Secrets of the Dead : Mummies and Other Human Remains From Around the World by Matt Ralphs

In most environments, when someone dies their flesh decays, leaving only bones. But not mummies. With mummified remains, we can learn about the person and their culture, the foods they ate, diseases they suffered from. This book brings nearly 20 mummies to life – so to speak.

Mysterious Mummies by Ron Knapp

Some mummies are the result of mindful preservation: the drying and wrapping of bodies as a way to honor the dead. Other mummies resulted from accidental freezing, being tossed into a bog, or burial by volcanic ash. Dive into the mysteries behind these mummies.

MONSTERS OF THE DEEP

Catching Cryptids: The Scientific Search for Mysterious Creatures by Kim Long

The Loch Ness monster. Kracken. Giant turtles. What some people call monsters, others call cryptids: an animal whose existence is not yet substantiated by science. The emergence of DNA technology, SONAR, bioacoustics and more has allowed cryptozoologists of every stripe to seek – and sometimes discover – the species behind the monster myth.

What Do We Know About The Kraken? by Ben Hubbard

Before orcas battered yachts, the kraken terrorized sailors. This book fills in the details of how seafarers and scientists hunted for, and studied the giant squid they thought to be the kraken of mythology. But in the vast and still unexplored depths of the ocean, nothing can be certain…

Here There Be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid by HP Newquist

This book is divided into three parts. The first section celebrates tales of the sea serpents – the monsters at the edges of the maps. In part two, we follow the scientists who start to find bits of giant squid, and begin wondering: is this a kraken? The final section focuses on the search for the giant squid, and the research on cephalopods.

This month’s STEM Tuesday book list was prepared by:

Sue Heavenrich is an award-winning author, blogger, and bug-watcher. A long line of ants marching across the kitchen counter inspired her first article for kids. When not writing, she’s either in the garden or tromping through the woods. Her books for middle-grade readers include Funky Fungi: 30 Activities for Exploring Molds, Mushrooms, Lichens, and More and Diet for a Changing Climate. Visit her at www.sueheavenrich.com

Maria Marshall is a children’s author, blogger, and poet who is passionate about making nature and reading fun for children. She is a judge for the Cybils Awards and the #50PreciousWords. Four of her poems are published in The Best of Today’s Little Ditty 2017, 2016, and 2014-2015 anthologies. When not writing, critiquing, or reading, she bird watches, travels the world, bakes, and hikes. Visit her at www.mariacmarshall.com.

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STEM Tuesday– National Parks– Writing Tips & Resources

By on September 16, 2025   /   National Parks, STEM Tuesday  

 

I was delighted to see this month’s topic is National Parks. I was fortunate to have taught drawing workshops at two national parks in the early 2000s. Both were offered by the Park Service free to everyone and I had received a grant to cover expenses for supplies from the university where I taught. The park rangers were helpful and interesting and both times, I was able to take advantage of the natural environment as the centerpiece of curriculum.

One was in the southwest. Since it was July, it was too hot to work outside but we had the natural history museum at our disposal. After instruction and strategies, the participants spread out and were treated to an array of plants and animals as models. The other was in the Appalachians, and we had vistas of mountains and fields. Everyone went away with drawings of their National Park experience.

The National Park Service website currently has an extensive section on Education & Training. It has topics such as Teaching with Historic Places, Museum Collections, Archeology, Land Preservation, and Youth Training Programs. Some books are available through the website as of the date of this article. You may find some that would be valuable resources to supplement the great list of books recommended for September’s STE(A)M Tuesday.

Asian Reflection on The American Landscape
Book

Under the Archeology section you can find it divided into headings for Teachers, which includes links to lesson plans, activities and professional development. The KIDS heading includes activities for use within the parks and online activities. Some of the materials have been translated into Spanish.

If you don’t have the option of traveling to a National Park, many of the activities can be adapted to local sites. Many towns and smaller communities (as well as large, of course) have historical centers or societies, state and local parks and historic sites, interesting geological features – even urban areas provide environmental and historical opportunities. The NPS webpage also has a list of about a hundred related sites of interest. Making a journal is always a good way for students (and adults!) to document discoveries and experiences.

There is a special section that provides information on “Telling All Americans’ Stories.”

Books, pamphlets, and links are available to previously completed stories and activities.

In the past, I planned student activities where they could explore their own culture. But be sensitive. Some students have painful histories or don’t even know. I always gave the option – use your own history, someone you know and can interview, or pick a culture you admire and would like to find out about. That erases any stigma that may come with tricky family situations but allows a dive into personal history.

This website is a treasure. As of this writing, the materials were still available, and I hope that continues.

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Margo Lemieux is a retired university professor and is currently amusing herself by writing, doing art, and playing bluegrass music. Oh, and reading!

 

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