Blog
SciNews – Dec 11, 2014
This regular feature of STAOblog brings you a sampling of the latest science news that would be of particular interest to your students. Incorporate these stories into your lesson. Or, use them as a "cool attention-grabber" at the start of class. Above all, enjoy...
Guidelines for Safer Demonstrations
Demonstrations are an integral part of any science program. These activities engage students and help bring the "real world" into the classroom. STAO has recently developed a collection of safe demonstrations/activities for grades 9 and 10 that have been designed to...
Video Sparks from Falling Water: Kelvin’s Thunderstorm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv4MjaF_wow Watch Derek Muller of Veritassium explain the science behind the demonstration known as Kelvin's Thunderstorm. It may not be a practical way of generating electricity but the science is very cool.
Cool Jobs: Green Science | Science News for Students
BY SHARON OOSTHOEK, MARCH 14, 2013 White spruce grow across northern North America, from Alaska to Labrador. As Arctic temperatures rise, spruce are spreading even farther north. Even if trees cannot walk, they are still on the move. In parts of the Arctic, entire...
SciNews – Dec 8, 2014
This regular feature of STAOblog brings you a sampling of the latest science news that would be of particular interest to your students. Incorporate these stories into your lesson. Or, use them as a "cool attention-grabber" at the start of class. Above all, enjoy...
iPad Therefore I am (Engaging activities for Science on an iPad)
Written by Sue DiLaudo - DH Science, Cardinal Carter CSS, Leamington David Petro -Math, Science Consultant, WECDSB Grade 9&10 Science - Multiple Strands. We had applied and received a TLLP grant (Teacher Learning and Leadership Program ) to get 30 iPads (and more)...
Planning and Running a Science Olympics Event
>>> Written by Shannon Lebel Imagine how rewarding and beneficial it would be to run a school-wide event based on a scientific theme. Read more to learn how one pre-service teacher did exactly that and how her high-needs elementary school built a strong...
Hopping Pop Cans, ala Bernouli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgJSuo_6O-A Moving air can pack a powerful force, especially when Bernoulli’s Principle is involved. The Soda Can Jump experiment uses Bernouli's awesome principle to launch an empty soda can out of a coffee mug. It’s a hands-on...
SciNews – Dec 4, 2014
This regular feature of STAOblog brings you a sampling of the latest science news that would be of particular interest to your students. Incorporate these stories into your lesson. Or, use them as a "cool attention-grabber" at the start of class. Above all, enjoy...
Bohr-Rutherford Models don’t have to be so “Bohring”
Practicing Bohr-Rutherford diagrams can be a “bohring” and repetitive activity, but interpretive dance can shake things up. Let’s get students out of their desks and working as collaborative teams to share knowledge and create success criteria. Materials 3 ropes...
Mentos Fountain Explained – MythBusters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjbJELjLgZg In this episode, Adam and Jamie conduct a controlled experiment to determine the cause of the rapid production of carbon dioxide gas that occurs when Mentos mints are added to a carbonated beverage.
Chemistry Jokes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5RZRkhk0OM Here's a fun collection of chemistry jokes to liven up your class when it gets a little Bohring. But then again, Chemistry is Ne V Er Bohring. (sorry - I couldn't resist.) Got a fun science joke ? Share it using the...