Welcome back MRASP-ers! Were you able to complete the Newton Amazing Race this weekend? We've been getting tons of great pictures in and can't wait to see what you all have found! If you are looking for another fun end of year project we have a special mosaic projects here: https://www.mrasp.org/mosaic-special
Today on Zoom we have our final Monday of the school year. Join us for Veronicas Hangout, Choose your own Adventure, Word Games, and Mad Libs. Head over to the Zoom calendar to sign up!
Today on the blog we have CD Spinners, a Paper Building Challenge, Sensory Paints, and a Delicious and Health Recipe! Let's get started . . .
CD Wind Spinners
Crafted By Meg
Grade Level: All Ages
Individual or multiple people: Either!
Materials:
Old cds or dvds
Glue
Craft gems, jewels, sequins, buttons, etc.
Thin string
Location: A table
Links and resources: https://happyhooligans.ca/vibrant-cd-wind-spinners-made-from-old-cds/
Further instructions or accommodations:
Have some old dvds or cds laying around that you don’t listen to or watch anymore? Recycle them and use them to create a cool wind spinner! Grab one or a few, and start decorating it. Glue as many gems, buttons, etc. on that you want. Make cool patterns on your disc such as mandalas or zig zags. Once you’re done decorating, tie your string through the disc and tie a knot at the top to keep it in place. Hang somewhere outside where it can move and reflect the sun.
Paper Tower Weight Experiment
Tested By Brendan
Grade Level: 2-5
Individual or multiple people: Individual or multiple people
Theme: STEM
To help practice trial and error-type problem solving and learning about how different shapes have different uses and properties when it comes to engineering and architecture.
Materials: 3 separate sheets of regular copy paper, Scotch (clear) tape, and whatever small books you might have lying around the house
Location: A flat surface such as a dinner table or a coffee table
Instructions:
This experiment tests which shape is strongest to be able to hold the most weight in books. This is very similar to how architecture is used in the real world to make sure buildings stay standing for long periods of time. To make things more fun, having the child or children try and guess which shape will be able to take the most weight can help! The results may not be quite what they expect…
Fold the three sheets of paper into the three shapes shown in the left picture above and tape the edges together. Now, stand up each shape and start placing books on it, as shown in the right picture above. Whichever shape can take the most weight in books is the winner! How many books can you pile on top of each shape before it collapses from the weight?
Further instructions or accommodations: The answer that you can check with after you have done the experiment is below. Note that different environments and circumstances may alter the results of this experiment, so the results may not be identical to what is shown below, but it is a good thing to go off of and follows some typical rules that architects use today in the real world when designing buildings!
ANSWER:
The cylinder can support the most books because it’s walls don’t have any edges. Therefore, the force of the books cannot become concentrated in a particular area because the load is distributed evenly. In other words, all parts of the cylinder are sharing the load of the books. All parts of the cylinder, therefore, contribute to its overall strength until, finally, it collapses.
The square and triangle deform more easily. They shift the weight of the books to their edges and corners, which deforms their walls and leads to a quick collapse. They are unable to carry weight only at their edges.
Have you noticed columns in buildings and other structures, like parking garages? What shape are the columns? Are they on the inside of the building/structure to serve their practical purpose of supporting beams or arches? Or are they exterior columns which lend support but also beauty to the structure?
Early architects in several ancient civilizations used columns in architecture including the ancient Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and Romans.
Links and other resources: http://creeksidelearning.com/stem-activities-for-kids-how-strong-is-a-piece-of-paper/
Kool-Aid Paint
Created By Julie
Grade Level: K-3
Individual or multiple people: Either
Theme: Art, Sensory
Materials:
Kool Aid packets (get packets for as many colors as you want!)
Mixing bowl (one bowl for every color of Kool-Aid you have)
Newspaper
Paintbrush
Blank paper
Location: Kitchen Table
Further instructions or accommodations:
Kool-Aid can stain clothes, be sure to where old clothing or an apron!
Lay out your newspaper
Take your Kool-Aid and pour out only about ¼ of the packet and then add 1-2 tablespoons of water (you can continue to add more Kool-Aid and water if you want more paint).
Mix the Kool-Aid and water together until the Kool-Aid is dissolved.
Dip your paintbrush in and begin to paint!
No Bake Apple Donuts
Cooked Up By Charlotte
***Before starting the recipe, read over ingredients in case you have food allergies/ restrictions!!**
Grade Level: K-5
Individual or multiple people: Either
Theme: Cooking
Ingredients:
3 apples (green recommended), cut into ½ ‘’ thick slices
1 cup water mixed with juice from half a lemon* (see step 2 below)
½ cup sunflower seed butter (or peanut butter)
1 tbsp cocoa powder
Topping options:
Sprinkles
Cacao nibs
Granola
Crushed candy
Dried fruit
Crushed oreos
Fresh cut strawberries
Raspberries
Steps:
Cut out little holes from the center of each round apple slice
Soak the slices in the water and lemon mix for about 10 minutes. *This step is only important if you plan on eating/serving the apples later. If you plan on eating them right away, you can skip
Mix the cocoa powder and sunflower seed butter together until smooth
Use a butter knife or spoon to spread the mixture over one side of each slice
Now add your toppings! What I do is I make about 3 of each flavor to create a nice mix.
Once the toppings are added, either eat right away or cover and put in the fridge
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!
