Rocks, rocks and more rocks.....

Who knew that rocks and minerals could be so interesting.
The kids have been doing experiments on a whole heap of different rocks and minerals over the last few weeks.

Ciara figured out the minerals in different toothpastes that were most effective for cleaning stains off teeth..



We grew crystals with our "Magic Rocks" kit...(didn't you always wanted one of those sets as a kid???)



And we looked at rock samples to determine whether they were igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic.



I will never look upon your humble garden variety rock in quite the same way after all this.

Field Trips

Thought it would be helpful for me to start a list of places that I think it would be fun ( and educational) to go for field trips next year.

Here is my list...( which no doubt will be added to over time.)

1 - The OMSI in Portland. It is the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and has a number of wonderful Science exhibits that will tie in with our Earth Science studies as well as one on Leonardo Da Vinci and his inventions which will complement our study of Renaissance figures.
2 - Mount St Helens. Again because we will be studying earth science having Mt St Helens in our "backyard" gives us an excellent opportunity for hands on learning.
3 - The Boeing factory in Everett. They offer guided tours of the factory.

4 - Garnet digging at the Emerald Creek Garnet Area...for the kids to try out being junior rock hounds

A Difficult Decision

Science

So far this is causing the most difficulty for me. I feel like I have reviewed just about every science curriculum on the market at the moment and my head is spinning. But still I am no closer to making a decision on which HS science program to pick for next year.

For Ciara I have narrowed it down to:

Prentice Hall Science Explorer Series:
This was recommended by Ciara's science teacher and is actually the series that they use currently at her school.
Pros: Very thorough and a good prep for AP high school science if she decides to go back to school for high school.
Cons: Not written for a HS setting so have to chase down all the separate lab supplies and therefore I have to be really on top of what she is studying in advance so I can get all the labs prepped.
Apologia
The most popular HS curriculum.
Pros: Written so the student can study it independently. Specifically designed for HSers so you can buy a lab kit with everything in it. Thorough science college prep.
Cons: Written from a creationist viewpoint which I don't agree with.
Bob Jones
Seems to be somewhere between the 2 others above.
Pros: Used in a classroom setting but adaptable to HS. Can buy the complete lab kits. Sequence in line with the more traditional school text like Prentice Hall.
Cons...creationist.
So I think inevitabley I'll just have to pick one and go with it.
For the boys....hmmmm...have to think about that some more and come back to it.