Neonicotinoids or neonics are nasty insecticides that are killing bees in droves. This isn’t just spot treatment. It’s wiping out entire populations. 37 million dead bees were found on just one Canadian farm. Seeds are soaked in neonics so the chemical spreads through the plant. That raises concerns for humans too. But chemical giant Bayer wants the ban lifted. It's costing them money. Bayer Wants Neonics Bee Killer Ban LiftedBayer Wants European Commission to Lift Neonics Bee Killer Ban
Neonicotinoids or neonics are nasty insecticides that are killing bees in droves. This isn’t just spot treatment. It’s wiping out entire populations. 37 million dead bees were found on just one Canadian farm. Seeds are soaked in neonics so the chemical spreads through the plant. That raises concerns for humans too. But chemical giant Bayer wants the ban lifted. It's costing them money. Bayer Wants Neonics Bee Killer Ban Lifted
Viniculture, Wine-making Science Applictions
Viniflorist and vintner practices make excellent science and chemistry lessons. This might sound a little unorthodox for school, given kids are underage (I wouldn't do tastings, but it's tempting!) Exploring the impact of terroir on grape and resulting wine makes lessons practical and hands-on.I drink dry, red wine. It was just brought home to me, how key a factor is annual terroir--weather, soil, climate--on wine. Petit syrah is my go-to. Shiraz is standby. Malbec depending on year and rarely pinot noir. Originally, Malbec was my favorite, specifically 2011. But 2012 bombed. Now I find 2013 Malbec is as bombastic and bodacious as 2011. The shifting terrior really does affect the grape and the wine. I recommend the movie "Bottle Shock" to provide background (omitting the one sex scene).
Bottle Shock--Malbec 2013 Almost as Good as 2011
Latex in Common Foods and Products, Science Experiments to Track Down Allergens
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I have a latex allergy. Or maybe I should say latex sensitivity. I react by breaking out in eczema-like lesions that ooze a clear, sticky substance. They itch, crack and hurt. I noticed that carving pumpkins aggravates my skin problems. I get itchy and break out after handling the membrane.I wondered if pumpkins contain latex. Sounds weird? It's not. Latex is a rubber plant derivative. Lots of tropical fruits are in the same family. They can cause breakouts allergy conditions. Even eating them can cause internal problems for allergics. So I checked a friend and allergy advocate's OneSpot Allergy blog to see. Sure enough, pumpkins are in the rubber plant family.
And I got to thinking, this might be interesting research for science and chemistry classes--tracking down allergens in common food and household products. Many kids suffer with allergies. Some don't even know what they're reacting to. You shouldn't subject potentially allergic kids to allergens, rather have them explore chemical makeup of foods and note experiences they have when in contact with them. Students could use this in text-to-life connections. Pumpkin Carving Aggravates Eczema, Latex Allergies
Apple Math and Science Recipes
As a teacher, I'm all about hands-on and real-life lessons. I have special ed, preschool and Montessori experience. I also homeschooled. Making lessons hands-on is the only way most kids are able to comprehend them. Living in Michigan, apples are a big deal. They also make a great basis for lessons. Here are interactive preschool math and science activities using apples--perfect for fall. Apple Math and Science for Preschoolers
Apple Themed Lesson Plans, Plant Science
I'm certified in special needs education and I have preschool and Montessori experience. I also homeschooled. Making lessons hands-on is my main objective. Living in Michigan, apples are abundant and they're a good subject for fall science lessons. Here are interactive preschool math and science activities using apples. Start by going to an apple orchard and let students pick apples. Or visit a grocery store and explore different apple varieties. Read on Apple Math and Science for Preschoolers
Free Printable Human Anatomy Activities
The human body is an important topic in science lessons. Coloring and labeling diagrams is one of the best activities to help children learn how things work. When my students and children in home school explored the human body, we colored and labeled diagrams of body parts. Here are printable human body color and label diagrams. Explore how body systems work. Use printable coloring pages of respiratory, circulatory, digestive, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine and reproductive system. These are the eight major systems of the body. Free Printable Human Body and Anatomy Color and Label Activities
How to Remove Wallpaper: Easy, Cheap, Green
In 2000, my husband and I bought a 100+ year-old home. In its long, colorful history, interior walls sported a plethora of coverings--paint, spackle, and wallpaper. Remodeling, we found four themes, the earliest dating back to the 20s. We have become adept at removing wallpaper and treating walls. Here are tricks to remove wallpaper and treat walls, from 13 years of DIY home fix-ups. Use these easy recipes for crafts, home improvement, even science lessons!How to Remove Wallpaper: Easy, Cheap, Green
Science Crafts, Free Printable Habitat Dioramas
Dioramas are the perfect interactive activity for exploring concepts. Dioramas, or 3-dimensional scenes, help students gain perspective on the relationship of itemsin the diorama. Diorama activities work very well for habitat and life science concepts. As students assemble a habitat diorama, they begin to understand how creatures interact with their environment. With the advent of free printable activities from the internet, making dioramas with students has become easy and user-friendly. Here are five different free printable nature habitat diorama activities. Students color, cut and paste and assemble dioramas. Printable dioramas give the added benefit of a high success rate. Special needs and easily frustrated students can create great looking projects and feel proud of their work. For free printables, visit Coloring, Cut and Paste Activities: Free Printable Habitat Dioramas
Cheap, Homemade, Safe Food Coloring, Edible Art, Recycled Decorations
Waited till the last minute to buy Easter egg dyeing kits for the kids? Now you have to pull a rabbit out of a hat (pun intended) and come up with your own egg decorations. Take it from this mom of four--been there, done that. Never fear--super DIY mom is here! Here are homemade Easter egg decorations using recycled and on-hand materials. And best of all--they're cheaper and safer than store-bought egg coloring kits! Cheap, Homemade, Safe Easter Egg Dyeing, Recycled Decorations
Free Printable Earth Day Coloring Science Experiments, Crafts
April 22 celebrates Earth Day, formerly called Arbor Day. Need free printable Earth Day lessons and activities for your science classroom, homeschool, 4H club or scout troop? Here are links for free printable environmental science activities. EPA.govhas free printable lesson plans for Earth Day. This link takes you to a free printable cartoon style graphic novel entitled 'On the Trail of the Missing Ozone'. Students learn about atmosphere, the importance of the ozone layer and what we can do to protect it. Students can color the cartoons in this free printable 8 page booklet. Makes a great classroom and homeschool resource. Free Printable Earth Day Coloring Activities
Green Spring Cleaning Products for Safe Science Fun
Science experiments don't just have to make messes. They can clean too. That's how most cleaning products were invented--in the kitchen as chemistry experiments. Here are recipes for natural green spring cleaners. Because too often cleaners drain environmental resources instead of helping it. Toxic chemicals and cleansers pollute air, water and earth. These recipes use safe, green, eco-friendly household ingredients that heal mother nature. Note: even though these are natural substances, some, like hot sauce, will burn or irritate skin. Protect hands with gloves and keep out of eyesNatural Green Spring Cleaning Products Supply Kit
Free Printable Social Studies and Science World Poverty Lesson Plans: Water and Sanitation
Teachunicef.org offers many free printable lesson plans to study world poverty and hunger due to disease, famine, natural disaster, weather and political unrest. Here are free printable science and social studies lessons on Water and Sanitation. UNICEF coordinates relief efforts around the world. UNICEF, the United Nations International Childrens' Emergency Fund was started in 1946 to help children in post-WWII war torn countries. Free Printable Social Studies, Science Worksheets on World Poverty, Water and Sanitation
Free Science Lessons: Caves, Paleontology, Bats, Fossils, Deserts
Free Online Scientific Calculator, Reference Toolbar Download
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