"Toonie" Science Classes

Virtual Ventures is a non-profit organization run by students who want to make a difference in the lives of today's youth, hosted and organized by the Faculty of Engineering and Design at Carleton University. Workshops are designed to be hands-on, fun, interactive and developed with the Ontario Curriculum in mind.

We have arranged TWO science classes, especially for Homeschoolers in Grades 5 through 8. Both classes are 75-90 minutes in length and led by two University Instructors. There is a maximum of 20 spaces available in both sessions – and it’s “first come first gets the spot!” And here’s more great news: It only costs $2/class to participate!

Here are the details:

Friday, May 18^th 10:30-11:45 AM

Geodesic Domes: Students will learn about basic architectural principles and the forces that buildings undergo on a daily basis. The students will work in groups using blueprints and geometry to build stable geodesic structures. A fun teamwork activity! (Cost to participate: $2)

Friday, June 15^th 10:30-11:45 AM

Engineering – Structures: Students will learn about the forces that act on a structure and how civil engineers work to create strong, stable structures. The students will participate in an engineering challenge: they will build a bridge with provided materials and test it to its limit! (Cost to participate: $2)

Optional: Tour of Carleton University Campus

Registration Information:

You must reserve your child(ren)’s spot(s) in advance by contacting Janet Stewart (fellow Homeschooling Mum) by telephone at 613-299-5003 or by e-mail at Janet@LabourLeadership.com . Once registered you will be sent location information by e-mail…then just bring your “Toonie” with you to the class!

Donating to KIVA

I donated to KIVA last year and I did it again today. It makes me feel special when I help people. In KIVA, instead of "giving" them money, you loan them money to start (or grow) their businesses. That way, instead of always needing more money, they can make their own from their business. And then they can support their families too.

Today I loaned $25 to Dilovar in Tajikistan and $25 to Con Dios Adelante Al Progreso in the Dominican Republic. Last year I loaned money to Ali is Lebanon, Margarita in the Philippines and Jose in Ecuador. Two of them have fully paid back their loans and the third is really close. He has one more payment to make.

Please loan to a person who needs you! Visit KIVA at http://www.kiva.org

Milk Experiment

Instructions:

1. Pour some milk into a clear, flat dish;
2. Get some food colouring;
3. Drizzle the food colouring onto the milk (you can use more than one colour);
   
4. Then add a small drop of dish washing liquid to the centre and watch the magic happen!

Supplies Needed:

• milk (try cream too)
• food colouring
• dish soap
• flat, clear dish

The Balloon Experiment

I did a balloon experiment. Here's how you can do it too:

1. Rinse an empty plastic bottle;
2. Put 3 teaspoons of baking soda into the bottle;
3. Pour in 1/2 cup of white vinegar; and
   
4. Quickly put a balloon over the top of the bottle.

The balloon will inflate because the carbon dioxide that is produced rises and is trapped in the balloon.

Medieval Times

Medieval Times was a great dinner experience!

There were four courses to our meal (soup, roasted chicken, garlic bread and dessert). We had to eat everything with our hands!

The show was quite spectacular. There were jousting horses, prancing horses and the Knights of the Realm who made it all happen. It was a very exciting show. So exciting that it was hard to eat! My eyes were glued to the show. I didn't want to miss a thing.

The whole show was set in Medieval England. My favourite part was the Knights' Challenge Competition. The Red Knight was victorious!

Toyota Manufacturing Plant Tour

The tour of the Toyota plant was great!

We wore "shop coats", goggles and headsets. We toured around the plant in a trolley. We saw lots of cars - they manufacture the Corolla and the Lexus in this plant. While we were touring, we saw thousands of cars being made by thousands of people and robots. There were lots of memories, including the memories of seeing cars being tested as they came off of the assembly line. The Toyota plant was fantastic!!

Please feel free to make a comment.

Joseph Schneider Haus

The Joseph Schneider Haus is an important historic site. It is the oldest, surviving dwelling in Kitchener, Ontario. Joseph Schneider was a Pennsylvania-German Mennonite. He built this house in 1816. Everybody in the community that he lived in, helped him to build this house in ONE day! The architectural style is: Georgian frame farmhouse.