Mad Science: An Educational Birthday Party!?

You may think a birthday party has to be a learning-free zone in order to be fun, but for kids, especially homeschooled kids, science is the definition of fun! Who doesn't love a beaker full of fizzing chemicals, exploding impressively all over the place? Of course the kids are going to learn something along the way, and they'll retain all that good info especially well when it's emphasized by visuals they'll remember forever!

We all know that Mad Science of Hampton Roads is famous for its homeschool science classes, school programs, summer camps, and special demos. But have you considered scheduling this fantastic show for your child's birthday? Here are three great reasons why Mad Science makes a great birthday party:

1. They'll come to you, and they'll bring everything. No schlepping presents, decorations, food, and the rest of it to some remote location.

2. They're solid scientists and absolute showmen. This is a heady combination, for real! Not only do they know their stuff on the back end, they can rock a crowd -- they get them laughing, get them asking questions, get them participating, and get them thinking.

3. The most compelling reason, for me, is the way the birthday child can be the star. How many times have you been at a museum or a group science class and the instructor asks for volunteers? All the kids in the front row are leaping up and down, waving their hands, and your child gets passed over for someone else. Understandably, of course! Not everyone can get picked. But if your child is the birthday boy/girl, you can be guaranteed that whatever they want to try, they're going to get to try it, and whatever they want to do, they'll get a turn. If you've ever had a child in tears after a science demo because they didn't get a chance to touch the plasma or freeze a carnation, you know what I'm talking about. For those children, there are Mad Science Birthday Parties!

Of course, Mad Science is also available to come to your location and do a demo or show that's not birthday-related, and you should also check out their site for info on classes and camps. Homeschoolers love, love, love the kind, funny folks at Mad Science and I think you will too. Visit their web site here.

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Moore Expressions: Our Local Homeschool Epicenter

Whenever someone new to homeschooling asks me for advice, I say, "Leave your kids at home, block out a couple of hours, and go spend some time at Moore Expressions." Moore Expressions is a homeschool bookstore right here in Hampton Roads. Located conveniently on Indian River Road, where Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake all play well together, this unassuming storefront establishment provides local homeschoolers with much more than just a place to buy books.

Yes, they stock books on everything from Handwriting to History, but they also answer questions, give recommendations, and foster a sense of community among their employees and customers. Just looking at the Q&A on their web site will give you an idea of the breadth of support offered by this store. When people go to a bookstore, they're typically in search of entertainment. Homeschoolers shopping for curriculum are looking for much more -- advice, instruction, recommendation, even validation of life choices. Moore Expressions' service to the community exceeds buying our used curriculum and selling us more.

Their support group meetings, their testing information, their resource center, where you can check out games, science equipment, and more, and their publication "The Bayih Educator," all provide homeschoolers in Hampton Roads with a definitely place to be.

Moore Expressions is located at 6070 Indian River Road in suites 106-112 in Virginia Beach. To contact them by phone, call: (757) 523-4965 or visit their web site, Moore Expressions.

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Hands On Science with E-Science Labs

Lots of homeschoolers think that when their kids get to high school level science, they have to go to traditional school so that they won't be missing out on labs. I have to admit that I've said stuff like this myself! It's hard to get over the idea that standing in an "official" laboratory with a teacher in a white coat and goggles, among 25 other children who are each holding the same test tube and distilling the same compound, is a necessary experience for a teenager doing science. Fortunately, the people at eScienceLabs have created hands-on science kits for homeschool science students.

The picture below shows one of their high school biology kids. I have a few observations: 1. Everything is divided up meticulously into separate little baggies and boxes, so the experiments and materials are clearly distinguishable and identifiable. This would be on my mind, if I were ordering one of these kits, because I as a homeschool teacher am not necessarily familiar with all the little pieces and parts, and having them separately packaged and labelled is a big relief. 2. They've really thought of everything. From the little connecting beads to make molecule models to the slides and test tubes and little bottles of different chemicals, it looks like all you have to add is the child's brain. Real test tubes, lots of measuring stuff, pipettes, goggles, latex gloves -- it's all in there.

All packed into the box

3. This would actually be a neat present for a kid who's into science. I mean, this is so neat and gadgety and interesting and just looks like something that a child would *love* to dig into and unpack -- I bet for the right kid it would make a great birthday present! Definitely a curriculum that would bring out squeaks of joy and excitement rather than groans and moans. For a science gift or a homeschool science curriculum, eSciencelabs.com has a great selection of hands on kits that will make science fun for your students and make you feel better about creating a real "lab" experience right at home.

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Backpack Program at the Mariner's Museum

Recently a friend was telling me about this awesome backpack experience at the British Museum. How it made the exhibit so much more interesting for her children, to have these hands-on experiences and carry a backpack that collected all kinds of ancillary materials and objects for them to use while at the museum. Come to find out, our own Mariner's Museum in Hampton has a backpack program, and even a sea bag program. From the Mariner's Museum web site:

The Mariners' Museum Backpack Program contains all you need for a self-guided walk of the Noland Trail, from information on the history of the park, plants and animals, and environmental concerns. Families, homeschoolers, and small student groups (such as Girl and Boy Scout troops, and youth groups) can test Lake Maury's water for pollutants and record their findings, learn about the migratory birds that frequent the lake and about Virginia's native trees. Information on preventing urban water pollution is available to take home.

Backpacks can be checked out from the Museum's admissions desk from 10 A.M. until 3 P.M. daily (except on days the Museum is closed), and must be returned by 4:45 P.M. the same day. The responsible party must be 18 years old or older and provide a pictured ID to be held while the backpack is in use. Users must provide their own pencils and any items they require to walk a 5-½ mile hiking trail. For more information call (757) 591-7745.

Use of the backpack is free of charge thanks to the generous support from The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.

Seabag Tour is a hands-on scavenger hunt through the USS Monitor Center. Using objects in the sea bag, visitors will be able to explore the story of the creation, battle, life aboard, sinking, rediscovery, and conservation of the USS Monitor. They will discover why the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia made history and are still celebrated today. The scavenger hunt will last about 2 hours and is appropriate for children ages 6-12.

Adults may check out the sea bag at the admissions desk between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. The sea bag is free with Museum admission. The responsible party (18 or older) will be required to leave a driver's licenses or credit card to check the sea bag out. For questions on the sea bag program call (757) 591-7744.

In addition to these cool programs, the Mariner's Museum has a very robust homeschool education program. They've just wrapped up a series on the Age of Exploration, and their spring series is going to be about the civil war. If you're looking for homeschool history enrichment programs, you need look no further than the Mariner's Museum. When you visit the Mariner's Museum, please thank them for their kind sponsorship of the G.U.E.S.S. Homeschool Science Fair!

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Halloween Bash at the Virginia Air and Space Center

Guess what? You don't have to wait until next Saturday to get your costume dusted off and your treat bag ready to fill. The Virginia Air and Space Center has an amazing program tomorrow from 4 to 7pm, including a costume contest where you can win and Ipod Shuffle! How awesome! We always have fun at VASC, one of the area's most interesting learning centers. This is *not* just for homeschoolers -- all kids are welcome! Here's the info from VASC:

Safe trick-or-treating! • Make-n-take activities!

• Hampton Sheriff’s Department Child ID Program

• Wizard’s Castle with creepy feely stations!

• Skeleton crew of a ghost plane! • Scavenger hunt!

• Meet Pirates from Blackbeard’s crew and some of your favorite characters from Star Wars!

• Explore the search for life on other planets with the new exhibit Alien Earths

• Costume Contest for all ages!

- Great prizes including iPod Shuffles! (contest starts at 5:15 p.m.)

• Plus, take a ride through the Haunted Mine with our motion simulator for just $1!

Click here for more info on this awesome Halloween party. Have fun!

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Book Arts Bash: A Writing Contest for Homeschoolers

The 2010 Book Arts Bash is underway! Visit the Book Arts Bash web site for all the details.

The Bash is an amazing opportunity for budding homeschool novelists to showcase their writing. Last year over 300 entries came in, in five age groups and twenty categories, and judges like Lois Lowry (The Giver) and Robert Pinsky (former US Poet Laureate) judged and critiqued these homeschooled writers. Homeschooled teens got feedback from literary agents, short story writers had critiques from working editors in New York, and bookstore owners gave encouragement to young poets.

It was exciting! But our most exciting category was the novel excerpt, which was surprisingly the most popular by far. How inspiring that all these homeschooled kids were willing to commit the time, the mental anguish and the emotional investment it takes to write a novel! This year, novels are what we are all about.

1. All digital. 2. All novels. 3. All free.

Thanks to our incredibly awesome sponsors, we are able to offer a free contest with prizes of $100 for each winner in ten age divisions. This year our ten judges will all be best-sellers such as Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants) and Juliana Baggott (Prince of Fenway Park). Our top three in each division will receive critiques on their synopses by working literary agents in NYC and LA. Fabulous! Because all our entries are digital this year, we will be able to show a digital gallery of all winning work that the students agree to have excerpted on our web site.

What else can I tell you about this awesome contest?

Good luck to all and get writing! Don't forget to check the web site for updates and information: http://www.bookartsbash.com.

Who are the sponsors?

Classical Academic Press, publishers of the popular Latin for Children series. Dreambox.com, online math learning curriculum and entertaining adventure for K-2. Teacherfilebox.com, invaluable teaching tool for homeschoolers and classroom teachers from Evan Moor P.

Who are the organizers?

The annual Book Arts Bash is organized by two veteran homeschooling moms, Lydia Netzer and Sherene Silverberg .  Lydia and Sherene believe in creating opportunities for homeschooled children to compete and shine. They also organize the annual G.U.E.S.S. Homeschool Science Fair in Virginia.  These projects are purely a labor of love for the two friends.

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Free Art as Activism Class at ODU for Children Grades 5-12

This country saw so much "activist art" during the last election cycle; this class is very timely! I wish my son were old enough to attend, because it looks like a fabulous program! Here's the notice I received:

My name is Richard Nickel. I am the Art Education Program Director at ODU. Each year we offer free art classes at ODU for grades 5-12. This year our theme is Shout It Out!  Art as Activism. If you are interested at looking at the list of classes or to register ONLINE:Please follow the link below: http://freesaturdaymorningartclassesatodu-efbevent.eventbrite.com

SHOUT IT OUT! Art As Activism: Saturday Morning Art Classes at Old Dominion University - Free Art Classes for students in grades 5-12; November 7th, 14th, 21st

Art as Activism classes have been created by ODU Art Education Students to educate the public on the impact artists can have on ecology, personal points of view, freedom of speech and expression.

For a list of classes or to register ONLINE follow any of these links or download the Microsoft Word document to mail.  If you have any questions you can call- 757-377-4214 or e-mail rnickel@odu.edu

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Equestrian Vaulting in Suffolk

Is your child looking for a P.E. activity that is great exercise, strength-building, and involves beautiful horses? Nicole D’Auriol at Blue Star Farm has offered to put together a one day per week, home school, equestrian vaulting class at her farm in Suffolk. She offers gymnastic training and time on the horse during the 1.5 hour class.

Monday, Wednesday afternoon or Fridays are the days she has available but she is open to discussion as to which day and what time. The classes will be $100 per month.

I know two homeschooling families who have wonderful things to say about Nicole and her program. The picture at the right is not from Blue Star Farms, but you absolutely must go to the Blue Star Farm web site and check out the photos in the slide show at the bottom of the page. Amazing what children can do on the back of a horse while the horse is in motion!

If you're interested in the homeschool vaulting class, please contact Nicole with your information.

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The Beach, the Swamp, and the South This Weekend!

Today our family is off to the Chrysler to see the Art of Glass exhibit I've been hearing so much about, and then if the weather holds we're going to the Botanical Gardens for bike night.

What are you doing this weekend?

If you're looking for entertainment, check out these options:

On Friday, First Landing State Park has all kinds of interesting activities for kids, including a Beach Safari, a "What's in the net?" program, and more. The programs are free, so you just pay admission to the park ($4). Show up around noon for all the fun. Find out more about the Beach Safari here.

Take a narrated tour of the Great Dismal Swamp on a bear-proof tour bus! We're going on Saturday, but I believe there are tours all weekend, starting tomorrow. There is some walking, a lot of flora and fauna, and maybe even a bear *in the distance*. Wear long sleeves! And bear repellent! I will be!

On Friday at Bluebird Gap Farm, experience storytelling, magic, puppets and more with "Storytelling in the Park." Where? 60 Pine Chapel Hill Road in Hampton. When? 2pm Friday.

The Shirley Plantation is having its first homeschool week, or really weekend, over this weekend: June 18-22. Experience Southern history, magnolia trees, and a stately southern manor. Homeschool week means demos, activities, and lessons daily from 10-3. Read more about the Shirley Plantation Homeschool Week.

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Local Homeschoolers On the Road

One of the most delightful things about homeschooling is that we homeschooling scoundrels do not have to wait for school vacations to do our traveling. In fact, we can take our year in reverse, so that when everyone else is out standing in line at amusement parks, drudging through museums, and swarming the zoo, we can sit in our lovely air conditioned homes doing science projects. And when everyone else is in school slaving away, we can gambol and cavort through the world's tourist centers, deliciouslylonely and enjoying short lines and empty tables even during dinner rush. Stands to reason that while the rest of the world is packing for their summer vacation trips, these three local homeschooling families are just getting home:

Shell at Eclectic Eccentricities is home from New York City and has a reading on the general mood she found there. Her report: New Yorkers are shockingly nice.

Tina of MTBar Farm is in Istanbul! Click for pictures of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and homeschoolers sniffing flowers.

Amy of Playdoh, Legos, and Stoichiometry has returned from the UK and has castle pictures.

Where are you going this summer? Or are you already back?

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