One of my goals with these science videos is to provide support to the homeschool community. After years of writing the Experiment of the Week, and presenting science shows for homeschool groups, I have been impressed with how strongly homeschool families are involved with hands-on science. I have also seen the need for a science curriculum that fulfills their educational needs. Starting with these videos, I hope to offer the homeschool community some of the science education support that they need, as well as a fun way to get students involved with scientific discovery.
I also try to use activities that involve common items. Most homeschoolers don't have access to test tubes, flasks, chemicals, microscopes and other scientific equipment. In the future, I hope to be able to guide them to inexpensive sources for science equipment to enrich their science curriculum.
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4. Orange Slices
This experiment is a simple one, but it will amaze your friends. When you finish, you will also have a good start for a delicious snack.
For this experiment, you will need:
- several oranges
- a magnifying glass (optional if you have sharp eyes)
Select an orange. Look at the end where it was attached to the tree. You should see a small button shaped piece that is greenish brown in color. Use your fingers to carefully remove this. Underneath, you will see that there is now a small indentation. Looking closely and you will see a ring of tiny dots. This is where some of you might need a magnifying glass. It will look almost as if someone had used a needle to punch a circle of holes, near the outer edge. Count the dots and remember this number.
Now, slice the orange and count the number of sections. You will find that there are the same number of sections as there were dots. Using this method, you can accurately predict the number of sections inside an orange before it is peeled. Be sure to practice a couple of times before you try this in front of an audience. By counting the dots beforehand, you can pretend to be determining the number of sections by listening to the orange, smelling it or even by spinning it on the table. Once you make your prediction, slice the orange and show that you are correct.
Understanding the Science
How does this work? The orange is divided up into sections, which are pretty much separated. There has to be a way for all the sugar, juice and other yummy stuff to get into those sections. Tiny tubes inside the tree bring all that wonderful stuff to the orange. Since the sections are not connected to each other, each must have its own tube. Count the tubes and you count the sections.
Once you amaze your friends by predicting the number of sections, you can amaze them again with your scientific knowledge by explaining how you knew. This lets them go on to amaze their friends, getting even more people interested in science. If you are ambitious, you might examine lemons, grapefruits and other citrus fruits to see if this works with them as well. When you are finished, look up a good fruit salad recipe and enjoy yourself.
Have a wonder-filled week!
