Summer: A Preemptive Strike

The Science Box 

If I learned anything from Steven Covey, it's how to be proactive. I can forsee problems and plan to meet them head on. In anticipation of the daily summer refrain, "I'm bored," I created the Science Box.

Using the book, Totally Irresponsible Science, I made a list of supplies needed for nearly every single experiment and gathered them together in one box. When the kids complained of boredom, I planned to direct them to the box (which is kept outside) and let them have at it.

I know. I'm brilliant.

Best of all, my supply of baking soda and vinegar would go untouched because the kids would have their very own.

My Science Box includes the following items:

Empty milk jug (not pictured)

paper towels

empty paper towel tube

plastic spoons

rubber gloves

rubber bands

plastic cups

old CD's

a funnel

salt and pepper

aluminum pie tins

zip top bags

construction paper

bamboo skewers

balloons
ping pong ball

twine

2 votive candles

baking soda

vinegar

bubbles

empty film canisters

corn starch

food coloring

white glue

thumb tacks

tape

rulers

dish soap

I'm still trying to gather a few more supplies, like 6% hydrogen peroxide. It's kind of hard to find. I'm also interested in some silly putty and black iron oxide for this cool substance. And magnets. I need some magnets.

However, when I showed the kids what I'd assembled, the reaction was not worthy of the effort I'd put forth creating the Science Kit. Ethan said, "We've already done all the experiments in that book. I want to make a Soda Bottle Rocket Launcher instead. 

So, on the first day of summer break, after a trip to Home Depot for a few supplies, Ethan made his own soda bottle rocket launcher. The man who helped us find everything at Home Depot said he'd already helped about nine other kids find supplies for the same project that day.

So, summer begins. I've got my stack of books and my boys have all the tools they need to play and be creative. 

Jonah and Isaac are outside now, digging into the Science Box, so I guess it wasn't all for nothing.

*update - the first project they chose required a styrofoam block; one of the few things I didn't get into the box. Figures.