November Discover.ed
Book your field trip today to lock in our low fall rates!
Our prices are available online at www.imaginationstationtoledo.org or call 419.244.2674 for more information.
As educators, we all know about the importance of educating young people to become conscientious and engaged citizens.
But did you know…
- In 1970, half of the people in the world who held science and engineering doctorates were from the United States. It is projected by 2010 that number will drop to 15% (U.S. Department of Education, 2006).
- More than 40% of undergraduates in China, 20% in Singapore and 12% in Europe major in engineering. In the U.S., that figure is approximately 6%, second lowest among developed nations (National Academy of Science, 2007).
- Jobs requiring science, engineering or technical training will increase 24% between 2004 and 2014 (U.S. Department of Education, 2006).
- More than 50% of the current science and engineering workforce is approaching retirement (Business Roundtable, 2005).
It is not enough to teach students science from a textbook. We must engage young people in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and excite them with what STEM has to offer!
The Imagination Station is the place to create that excitement!
- We have five exciting demonstrations with experiments you’ve never seen in the classroom!
- Exhibit Guides to help you structure a field trip to ensure that learning is happening, while having fun!
- Our Science Studio encourages your students to experiment with a variety of different topics and experience science hands-on.
- The Imagination Station has experienced over $1 million dollars in renovations. Exhibits like the Hurricane Chamber, Water Vortex and Tennis Ball Launcher are not to be missed!
We can’t afford for our students to be complacent about the sciences. The Imagination Station is a great place for your class to realize you can learn while having fun!
Prep 4 Ed
Once you reserve your field trip at the Imagination Station, make sure you attend Prep 4 Ed. This workshop is held the first Thursday of every month from 4 to 6 pm and offers you and your chaperones the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the science center before your field trip.
Prep 4 Ed features:
- The opportunity to see experiments from all our demonstrations
- A tour of the facility, highlighting recent exhibit additions and changes
- A great activity to conduct prior to coming to the Imagination Station
- An overview of all resources we have available for educators
Call 419.244.2674 ext. 159 and reserve your space today!
Activity for your Classroom
November is Chemistry Month! Check out this fun, hands-on exploration of acids and bases to teach the concept of pH in your classroom.
Cabbage Juice Indicator
You Will Need:
- Red Cabbage
- Bowl
- Marker
- 5 Clear Cups
- Boiling Water
- Knife
- Baking Soda
- Lemon Juice
- Vinegar
- Antacids
What to Do:
- Finely chop the red cabbage until you have about 2 cups.
- Place the cabbage into a bowl and add enough boiling water to cover the cabbage.
- Let the cabbage soak for 15 minutes, until the water is red, purple or blue.
- Take your 5 clear cups and add an equal portion of indicator to each cup.
- Number the cups 1-5 with a marker.
- Add baking soda to cup 1 until you see a change in color.
- Repeat with lemon juice in cup 2, vinegar in cup 3, and antacid in cup 4.
- Leave cup 5 with just the cabbage juice. This is your control.
- Compare the colors of the cabbage juice in all 5 cups. What do you notice?
What’s the science?
The cabbage juice is called an indicator because it can tell you the pH of a solution by the color that it changes. Red cabbage contains the pigment flavin. This pigment is released from the cabbage into the boiling water. Flavin will change color in response to changes in the hydrogen ion concentration, this is commonly called the pH of a solution. Acids have a lower pH (0-6) and bases have a higher pH (8-14). Acids will change the color of the cabbage juice to a deep red. Bases will change the cabbage juice a greenish-yellow color. Something that has a pH of 7 is said to be neutral because it is not an acid or a base.
Coming Events
Saturday, November 14
CHEMISTRY WEEK
The American Chemical Society will be taking over the science center facilitating fascinating experiments and hands-on activities with our visitors. Get into the mix and see what it’s all about…
10:00am – 5:00pm
Sundays – Nov. 22 & 29, Dec. 6 & 13
CREATE YOUR OWN ICE SCULPTURES
National award-winning, local ice carver and owner of Ice Creations in Napolean, Ohio, will be on hand to help visitors experience the frigid science behind ice carving. Using pre-formed geometric shapes, visitors can create towering formations of icy perfection. Make sure to bring your camera because even though these sculptures will melt, the photos will melt your heart forever.
1:00-4:00pm
Saturday, December 5
HOW TO CHOOSE A TELESCOPE?
If your son or daughter has hinted that what they really, really want this holiday season is to see the stars, then a telescope purchase may be in your near future. This type of purchase tends to intimidate many parents, so the representatives from the Toledo Astronomical Association will join us and breakdown the do’s and don’t of shopping for this amazing tool. Spend the afternoon peering through lenses, exploring the sky and inspiring your child’s future. And of course we’ll be doing some far out activities in Science Studio.
1:30pm–4:00pm
Imagination Station is located on the downtown Toledo riverfront at One Discovery Way, Toledo, Ohio 43604 www.imaginationstationtoledo.org
