Next Science Saturday: June 8, 2013, Escape from the Depths - a Density Dilemma

Join us on June 8, 2013 for "Escape from the Depths - a Density Dilemma" with Madeline Sampson PhD.

What do a hot air balloonist and a submarine pilot have in common? They both rely on density. The students will investigate measuring and changing the density of objects. Using their knowledge of density they will figure out how to make objects (such as an egg) sink or float and assemble a density tower. Finally, the students will build a prototype for escaping from the depths.

Click here to register and pay for the workshop online.

Have you signed up for the Last Science Saturday of 2013?

Join us on June 8, 2013 for "Escape from the Depths - a Density Dilemma" with Madeline Sampson PhD.

What do a hot air balloonist and a submarine pilot have in common? They both rely on density. The students will investigate measuring and changing the density of objects. Using their knowledge of density they will figure out how to make objects (such as an egg) sink or float and assemble a density tower. Finally, the students will build a prototype for escaping from the depths.

Click here to register and pay.

Next Science Saturday: May 11, 2013, Fire! Fire!

Join us on May 11, 2013 for "Fire! Fire!" with Darren Culp.

Fire has been essential to humans since the earliest days.  But, with the use of fire, came an unexpected responsibility, learning to control the fire and to safely extinguish it.  We will be discussing four main theories of extinguishing fires including temperature reduction, fuel removal, oxygen removal and chemical flame reduction. Students will be around fire during this workshop.

Visit our website for more information: http://learningoptions.us and to register.

To pay for the workshop online click here.

Science Saturday with Ron Collins (April 13, 2013)

Now that the Barnes and Noble Book Fair is complete, let's take a look at April's Science Saturday with Ron Collins, "Dig It!" On April 13th, 2013, students spent the day outdoors with archeologist Ron Collins to investigate our shared past, excavate scientific shovel test probes, and recover artifacts by screening all sediments with shaker screens. And in the end, they learned how to put things back the way they found it. A fun time was had by all!

Ron introducing himself and talking about what archeologists are and what they do.

Taking a close up look at artifacts.

Spear tips, arrow heads, pottery, bone, and buttons - oh my!

Setting up the dig site.

Time to dig!

Learning how to sift the dirt.

Taking a soil sample. It shows the different strata, to let them know if it was undisturbed ground. Basically lets them know if it's okay to dig.

Showing how the soil sample and strata match up.

Comparing the color of the soil to determine the type of soil.

Always leave the spot like you found it.

Next Science Saturday: April 13, 2013, Dig It! Ronald Collins, PhD

Join archeologist Ron Collins to investigate our shared past, excavate scientific shovel test probes, and recover artifacts by screening all sediments with shaker screens. Students will produce a map of our investigations using the pace and compass technique. We will take detailed notes of our finds and their contexts. We will produce a short report detailing our results. Participants should wear sturdy clothes and bring water. Be prepared to spend this workshop outdoors.


Visit our website for more information: http://learningoptions.us and to register.

To pay for the workshop online click here.

Science Saturday with Gene Turchin

It was a fabulous sunny day today, just perfect for today's Science Saturday on UV Rays. Check out some of the photos from today's event:

Next Science Saturday: March 9, 2013, Ultraviolet Rays--Raining Down From the Sky

Join us on October 13, 2012 for "Ultraviolet Rays--Raining Down From the Sky" with Gene Turchin.

This workshop will involve learning about UV (the different types) why your mother tells you to wear sunscreen, how sunscreen works, how UV forms the ozone layer, and some hands on experiments with UV sensors, sunblock and other materials.

Visit our website for more information: http://learningoptions.us and to register.

To pay for the workshop online click here.

Science Saturdays in the News

Read more about it at WDTV.COM 5 Local News:

DUI Checkpoint 2/22/2013

ROAD CLOSURE: Doddridge County

Local Learning Center Offers Hands-On Education

Succesful Science Saturday today!

We had a great Science Saturday today, thanks to Beth Thompson, as she helped her students to explore acids and bases found commonly in areas. Students got to use pH sticks and pH meters, and do some fun hands-on experiments and demonstrations, learned about the properties of acids and bases, what the pH scale measures, how to perform titration, and had fun in the process. Here are some photos from today's event:

Next Science Saturday: February 9, 2013 Analyzing Acids and Breaking Down Bases

Analyzing Acids and Breaking Down Bases: Beth Thompson, M.Ed.
Students will explore acids and bases found commonly in areas around them, particularly the kitchen and the garden. Through a series of hands-on experiments and demonstrations, participants will learn the properties of acids and bases, what the pH scale measures, how to perform titration, and more!


Visit our website for more information: http://learningoptions.us and to register.

To pay for the workshop online click here.

Science Saturdays are starting on February 9th!

Spring 2013 Science Saturdays are starting on February 9th at Songbird Learning Center...

Learning Options, Inc. and the Songbird Learning Center present

five Saturdays of active, hands-on, project-based learning.

February 9, 2013  Analyzing Acids and Breaking Down Bases: Beth Thompson, M.Ed.
Students will explore acids and bases found commonly in areas around them, particularly the kitchen and the garden. Through a series of hands-on experiments and demonstrations, participants will learn the properties of acids and bases, what the pH scale measures, how to perform titration, and
more!  

March 9, 2013     Ultraviolet Rays--Raining Down From the Sky: Gene Turchin, MS
This workshop will involve learning about UV (the different types), why your mother tells you to wear sunscreen, how sunscreen works, how UV forms the ozone layer, and some hands on experiments with UV sensors, sunblock, and other materials. 

April 13, 2013     Dig It! Ronald Collins, PhDJoin archeologist Ron Collins to investigate our shared past, excavate scientific shovel test probes, and recover artifacts by screening all sediments with shaker screens. Students will produce a map of our investigations using the pace and compass technique. We will take detailed notes of our finds and their contexts. We will produce a short report detailing our results. Participants should wear sturdy clothes and bring water. Be prepared to spend this workshop outdoors. 

May 11, 2013     Fire! Fire! Darren Culp, BAFire has been essential to humans since the earliest days. But, with the use of fire, came an unexpected responsibility, learning to control the fire and to safely extinguish it. We will be discussing four main theories of extinguishing fires including temperature reduction, fuel removal, oxygen removal, and chemical flame reduction. Students will be around fire during this workshop. 

June 8, 2013   Escape from the Depths - a Density Dilemma: Madeline Sampson, PhDWhat do a hot air balloonist and a submarine pilot have in common? They both rely on density. The students will investigate measuring and changing the density of objects. Using their knowledge of density they will figure out how to make objects (such as an egg) sink or float and assemble a density tower. Finally, the students will build a prototype for escaping from the depths.


To register, click on the link at the bottom of this page.

Next Science Saturday: June 9, Rainbow Science

Join us on June 9, 9 a.m. to noon, at Songbird Learning Center for a Science Saturday with Beth Thompson for a class on Rainbow Science: Exploring Color and Light.

Visit our website for more information: http://learningoptions.us and to register.

Next Science Saturday: May 12, The Buzz about Bees

Join us on May 12, 9 a.m. to noon, at Songbird Learning Center for a Science Saturday with Dr. Don Trisel for the class The Buzz about Bees: A Scientist's Analysis of Honey. 

Visit our website for more information: http://learningoptions.us and to register.

Next Science Saturday: April 14, Disease Detectives

Join us on April 14, 9 a.m. to noon, at Songbird Learning Center for a Science Saturday with Dr. Steve Roof for a class on Disease Detectives: Exploring Epidemiology.

Visit our website for more information: http://learningoptions.us and to register.

Next Science Saturday: March 10, Google SketchUp 3D Modeling and Design Software

Join us on March 10, 9 a.m. to noon, at Songbird Learning Center for a Science Saturday with Gene Turchin for a class on Google SketchUp 3D Modeling and Design Software. 


Visit our website for more information: http://learningoptions.us and to register.

This Saturday: Who Killed the Fish?

This Saturday, February 11, FSU Chemistry professor Dr. Andreas Baur will begin our series of Science Saturdays with "Who Killed the Fish? An Environmental Forensic Chemistry Mystery," at 9 am on the Fairmont State University campus.
 
Visit our website for more information: http://learningoptions.us and to register.

Our New Blog and Programs

We at Learning Options Inc. are excited about our new blog. We hope to keep our followers "posted" about happenings sponsored by LOI and its partners. We also look forward to free and open discussions about educational ideas and options in our area and beyond.

The newest program from Learning Options -- Science Saturdays -- begins February 11 and continues every second Saturday morning through June 2012. This series brings knowledgeable, creative science instructors together with interested, active students to advance deeper understanding of science concepts and current uses. The series opens on February 11 at 9 am on the Fairmont State University campus with "Who Killed the Fish? An Environmental Forensic Chemistry Mystery," presented by FSU Chemistry professor Dr. Andreas Baur. Visit our website for more information: http://learningoptions.us and to register.