March 12 [science fair]

Carly and Jason really wanted to attend the science fair at their school Thursday night.  Carly mainly wanted to go so she could hang out with some of her friends on her lacrosse team after practice.  Jason wanted to go so he could bring home his ‘pet rock’.  Whatever the reason we decided we’d take the whole family.  I think this is my first science fair ever – pretty sure in the past I’ve usually been happy to stay home with the little ones and send Justin with the older kids.  Turns out I’ve been really missing out because this event was THE place to be.  Who knew science could be so fascinating and fun?

We swung by Jason’s classroom to check out his rock project and bring little “Bob” home.  

The whole school was filled with science fair displays and activities.  The gym had lots of hands on activities for the kids.  I’m still bewildered how we could skewer a balloon and not have it deflate.

I have no idea what this next experiment was, but it all started with the kids stirring together some brownish liquids in a cup.

As you stir it starts to change color and form.

Then after a few minutes your cup is holding some strange hard material.  Awesome, right?

Justin spent most of the evening at the playground with Drew.  Lots of fun things happening back there too though – kids could build and launch rockets; there were large tubs of cornstarch and water to demonstrate something about liquids and solids.  Overall a really fun night.