Online STEM: Autumn 2: Remaining 5 sessions
Fantastic fungi! (15th November)
Chain reactions (22nd November)
Static electricity(29th November)
DNA: The recipe of life! (6th December)
Electrical circuits (13th December)
Every Tuesday: 15th November to 13th December (seven sessions)
5-8s group: 11 - 11:50am (UK GMT)
9-13s group: 1 - 1:50pm (UK GMT)
11-15s group: 2:10 - 3pm (UK GMT)
(Select from the options at the bottom).
Your home-education journal is already written!
In your booking confirmation email you'll receive a summary of the keywords, key concepts and student activities planned for this session. You can simply copy, paste and adapt it for your home-education journal and use it to help you discuss the learning with your child afterwards.
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Fantastic fungi! (15th November)
+ Make a beautiful spore print
+ Create a labelled mushroom dissection record and learn about its anatomy, structure and function
+ See what fungus looks like under the microscope!
+ The older groups will learn about the role of decomposers in the ecosystem and some taxonomic classification
Equipment (To join an entirely optional practical)
It is a good idea to have a whiteboard or paper, pen, ruler and calculator to hand in each session.
- A few mushrooms (edible ones bought from a shop as food) Please do not use ones you have foraged as it can be very hard to be certain of their safety..
- A sharp knife is useful (supervision recommended) but not essential
- A plate or chopping board
- A4 white card or paper
- White card or paper (min. 10cm x 10cm)
- Black card or paper (min. 10cm x 10cm)
- Fine hairspray (optional) or artists fixing spray (not needed until the day after the session)
- A fine / sharp pen or pencil
- A small bowl or tub with a diameter larger than your mushroom, transparent if possible. A large yoghurt or soup pot is ideal.
- A ruler may be helpful.
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Chain reactions (22nd November)
+ Watch some fiery, exciting and satisfying chain reactions!
+ Make a chain reaction marble run and learn about energy within!
+ The older groups will also learn about energy transfers, nuclear fission and Sankey diagrams.
Equipment (To join an entirely optional practical)
It is a good idea to have a whiteboard or paper, pen, ruler and calculator to hand in each session.
- Jumbo lolly sticks (as many as possible, at least 10) ??
- Table top / floor space
- A4 size thick, corrugated card (e.g. side of a cardboard box)
- Paper straws (min. 5)
- At least 2 small marbles (choking hazard, keep away from young children)
- Glue stick or similar quick drying glue for paper / card
- Two sharp pencils
- Felt tip or fine marker pen
- A range of small items such as paper clips, small bells, drawing pins, anything similar you have to hand (take care with sharp pins)
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Static electricity(29th November)
+ See things fly, light up and stick without glue!
+ Watch amazing demonstrations!
+ The older groups will also learn about atomic structure, electron transfer and static discharge.
Equipment (To join an entirely optional practical)
It is a good idea to have a whiteboard or paper, pen, ruler and calculator to hand in each session.
- Plastic ruler / comb or range of similar plastic objects
- Cotton cloth, fleece or fake fur fabric (a duster is ideal, not microfibre), a range of fabrics is a good idea if possible
- A paper tissue
- A few balloons (blown up to the same size and tied to string, beforehand if possible). Try to resist the urge to rub them before the session!
- String (if not already tied to balloons
- Tape or blue tac
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DNA (6th December)
+ Make a personalised hanging DNA model mobile
+ Extract DNA from a banana
+ The older groups will also learn about the structure and function of DNA and how it holds all the information needed to build a life
Equipment (To join an entirely optional practical)
It is a good idea to have a whiteboard or paper, pen, ruler and calculator to hand in each session.
To extract DNA:
- Small jug or beaker
- a fork
- 1/4 of a banana (a similar volume of kiwi or defrosted peas should also work)
- A teaspoon of table salt
- A teaspoon of liquid soap / washing up liquid
- About 50mL very warm water (approx. 60℃) Take care against scalding and with water near electronics. Supervision with younger children is strongly recommended)
- Funnel
- approx. 10mL COLD isopropyl alcohol / surgical spirit / rubbing alcohol (available at most pharmacies and supermarkets) This should be placed in the freezer for at least an hour before use.
- Tall, narrow glass or 100mL measuring cylinder
- Long skewer / slim stick
- Eye protection recommended
To make a personalised hanging DNA model mobile:
- Two long pipe cleaners (ideally 30cm, but shorter would also work)
- Beads: four colours, at least three of each colour
- Scissors (take care with sharps)
- Dark felt pen or marker (fine tip)
- Four paper straws cut into pieces 3cm long
- Colour pens / pencils (optional)
- eight pipe cleaner pieces, each cut to approx. 6cm. Older students may wish to use paper clips instead, which they will need to bend and cut with pliers (take care with sharp ends).
Links suggest sources of appropriate resources
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Electrical circuits (13th December)
Make a decoration or card that lights up!
(Whilst learning about electrical circuits)
+ Learn about insulators, conductors and circuits
+ The older groups will also learn about circuit diagrams and symbols and why electricity can travel through some materials and not others.
Equipment (To join an entirely optional practical)
It is a good idea to have a whiteboard or paper, pen, ruler and calculator to hand in each session.
- One or two LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), any colour, 3mm or 5mm. Easy and cheap to buy online such as these (no affiliation, just an example)
- “Coin” batteries (1 for each LED) (CR2032 3V type). Warning: swallowing these batteries can cause severe injuries, keep them away from young children and pets. Easy to buy online such as this, or in bargain / pound shops. (no affiliation, just an example).
- Black card or paper (not essential but looks good!)
- Glue stick
- Sticky tape
- Scissors (take care with sharps)
- Marker pen or felt tips
- Silver / gold pens if possible
- Paper clips (not plastic coated) 10 minimum.
- Thick corrugated card
- A few clothes pegs
- Drawing pins or split pins (take care with sharps)
Links suggest sources of appropriate resources
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Price is for one device (screen) to join for one session.
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