Minecraft Build Challenge: Photosynthesis and Respiration

I have found that Minecraft, as an educational tool, is very effective in helping students understand science concepts. When students are tasked with a “Minecraft Build Challenge” in my classroom, they are required to demonstrate modeling skills, solve problems, practice engineering principles, and have fun. Though the ‘fun’ part is what the students see first, […]

The Levitation Magic of Density

Hi all! I am trying something new… CHEMISTRY VLOGS! Join me as I try chemistry/science experiments at home and make videos about them. Chemistry Vlog #2: The Levitation Magic of Density! Density is quite the magical phenomena. It can cause things to float and sink, and when multiple substances with different densities interact with each […]

Home Made Lava Lamp!?

Hi all! I am trying something new… CHEMISTRY VLOGS! Join me as I try chemistry/science experiments at home and make videos about them. Chemistry Vlog #1: Home Made Lava Lamp… But first a riddle: What do lava lamps and the use of pills have in common??? Watch my short video to find out! Plus, if […]

The Secrets Behind the Water Show

There is nothing like the relaxing experience of lounging outside on a mild summer evening while listening to a live band play some of your favorite music. This was my view one evening this week at a local outdoor mall. However, no offense to the wonderfully talented band, the water fountain light show that happened […]

Periodic Players: Oxygen

The periodic table of elements… if you are still reading this I am pleasantly surprised! Ever since high school chemistry, the periodic table of elements has become taboo mixed with unpleasant recollections of memorizing each element along with its (sometimes perplexing) atomic symbol. Well, now that I have the worst part out of the way, […]

Evolutionary Mash-up: Australian Box Jellyfish

*To gain a greater appreciation for this post, be sure to read the previous “Evolutionary Mash-ups” posts about giraffe necks, dragonfly wings, and chameleon tongues. I take the best adaptations natural selections has to offer and combine them into one animal. At the end of this post I will combine all four “Evolutionary Mash-ups” animals […]

Science Snapshot: The Elegant Grasshopper

The elegant grasshopper is appropriately named for its breath-taking coloration. This is one of my prized insects in my collection from South Africa. Its bold coloring is to warn predators that it is toxic and will harm them if eaten. Funny how we humans also use red and yellow color patterns for “caution” or “warning” […]

The New Year’s Resolution at the Top of My List: Eat More Chocolate!

Lifethroughgreentintedglasses would like to wish everyone a happy new year! To celebrate the new year, let’s break out the chocolate! Some of you may be feeling guilty being invited to my chocolate New Year’s party after you have thrown all the chocolate away in your house because one of your New Year’s resolutions is to […]