Science Will Save the World! Episode 1: How to Make a Homemade Magnifying Glass Jessie Rack 2020-03-20 | Stuck at home? Why not do some science? Today, with the help of Penny the Cat, I demonstrate how to make a homemade magnifying glass with things you probably have around the house. I'll also explain how it works - through the science of vision and light, and the power of lenses.Come for the science, stay for the awkward sound effects and the time Penny knocks stuff off the couch. This production brought to you by the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program. And Penny!
Sonoran Desert Field Trip: Plant Adaptations! Jessie Rack 2020-10-06 | Welcome to the Sonoran Desert! Today, we explore desert plants and their adaptations to the desert. From spines to water hoarding, accordion pleats to green sticks, we learn about the traits that have allowed desert plants to survive in a hot, dry environment. There are three main categories of plant adaptations to the desert: drought avoidance, drought tolerance, and succulence. While we won't see any drought avoidant plants (we're currently in a drought, so they're, uh, avoiding it), there are lots of examples of the other two. Let's go meet some of my favorite plant friends and see how they manage to survive here. Bonus: learn to hug a cactus safely!This production is brought to you by the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program. Thanks to the Thomas R. Brown Foundation, Cox Communications, and the Roche Foundation for their support.
Nature Journaling 3: String Loop Observations Jessie Rack 2020-09-25 | Take your nature journaling to the next level using the ecological concept of a quadrat! This week, we use string (or a hula hoop, if you're lucky enough to own one) to isolate a small area to observe. What can you discover about this small area that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise? First, cut a piece of string to about 5-10 ft (2-3 arm lengths). Take your journal, a pencil, and the string outside to an area with varied ground cover. Form the string into a loop and use your skills at writing and drawing to record observations about as many subjects as you can within the loop. Use numbers to record amounts of interesting subjects, or to estimate sizes. Take about 15-20 minutes to do your observation. What do you notice and wonder? What do the objects in your circle remind you of? You don't need to make detailed drawings of every single thing in there; maybe try using words or a small map to show where things are within your circle. What other ways can you come up with to illustrate and describe your small area? How did limiting your observations to this circle change the way you observe? How do you imagine the world within your string loop might change over time?
Nature Journaling 2 - I Notice, I Wonder, This Reminds Me Of... Jessie Rack 2020-09-01 | This week, we build from last week's introduction to nature journaling (for science!) to give you more tools to use in your observations. To start, please go outside and find an object that you'd like to observe. This time, it should be small enough to fit in your hand. You're welcome to do the observation itself wherever you feel comfortable - inside or outside both work! Once again, please record the date, your location, and what the weather is like. Then, begin by sketching your object and adding any number observations in your journal (remember, a complete observation contains pictures, numbers, and words. Today we will focus mostly on the words part). Once you've sketched your object and added some numbers, it's time to take your observation deeper with three prompts to get you thinking like a scientist. First: "I notice..." I know I am making an observation when I start a sentence with the words "I notice..." Write down as many sentences like this as you can. If you get stuck, try switching to a different sense! What does it smell like? Can it make a sound? Second: "I wonder..." This prompt is about asking questions about your object. You can use your observations ("I notice" statements) as a way to get started, or just let your curiosity flow. Did you know you can actually train yourself into being more curious? This is how!Finally, "This reminds me of..." Now we've moved beyond questions and are making connections between things. Think about where you've seen something like this before. Does its shape, form, or function make you think about something else? Be creative!How has this activity allowed you to learn more about your object? The more you practice, the more things you'll be able to notice, wonder about, and connect. Welcome to having a scientific brain!
Creature Feature: Toads! Jessie Rack 2020-08-21 | Today we have a very special creature feature about toads!How much do you know about amphibians? Can you describe what makes them different from reptiles? Could you name the three groups of amphibians? Would you like to meet a real, live Sonoran Desert Toad (Incilius alvarius)? Toads are a cool group of animals, and this species in particular has the distinction of being incredibly toxic (reminder: always wash your hands before AND after handling amphibians!). THE BASICS: Amphibians have moist skin that they use to take up water and also oxygen from their environment! They are also "ectothermic," meaning they cannot regulate their body temperature internally, and have to use their environment to warm up or cool off (Also know, though inaccurately, as "cold-blooded." Amphibians have what we call a "complex" life cycle, meaning they start as one thing (like a tadpole) and then change into something else (like a frog) over their lifetime. Amphibians have to lay their eggs in water. There are 3 groups of amphibians: frogs (& toads), salamanders, and caecilians.VOCABULARY: ECTOTHERMIC means that the body temperature is controlled by the outside environment (like laying on a rock in the sun to warm up). The opposite of this is ENDOTHERMIC, which is what we are - our bodies do all the work to keep us the right temperature, and we never need to lay in the sun (unless we want to). ESTIVATION is a kind of deep sleep, or dormancy (like hibernation) that happens because of heat.TOXIN, in this case, means poison. Poison is something that, when eaten, makes you sick. ***This production is brought to you by the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program and Penny the cat (even though she was hiding behind the couch for this one). Thanks to the Thomas R. Brown Foundation, Cox Communications, and the Roche Foundation for their support.
Intro to Nature Journaling (For Science!) Jessie Rack 2020-08-21 | This week, we're going to use nature journaling to practice our observation skills. Two things to think about: what do I mean by "observation" and why is it important? And what do I mean by "nature"? The only materials you'll need are a journal/notebook of some kind and a pen or pencil. Sure, you can get fancy and use colored pencils or markers or crayons, but it's not required. Go outside and find some piece of nature to bring in and observe closely (alternative: you can choose a place to sit outside and observe your object, but make sure you're being careful and paying attention to the weather) .First, make sure to write the date, location, and weather on the page. Then, there are 3 things your nature journal entry MUST include: 1) words; 2) picture(s); 3) numbers. Aim to spend about 15-20 minutes on this. That's it, that's all there is! We'll build on this in the coming weeks, but first I just want you to start practicing observation. Here's a .pdf of my sample journal page: emailarizona-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/jrack_email_arizona_edu/Ed_lnNDC45JPuHyPyZsdB9MB1HFgchHByfng8Ikbp7ptZQ?e=eAv43e
Science Will Save the World! Episode 8: Keep on Rockin in the Rock Cycle Jessie Rack 2020-05-08 | This week is all about the rock cycle: the natural process of rocks being turned into other kinds of rocks. In this video, I demonstrate the rock cycle using crayons – and you can too! (Provided you have the right materials and a grownup-aligned person to do the oven part.) Grab your favorite rocks and least-favorite crayons and let’s get rockin’! YOU WILL NEED:Crayons (preferably old, broken ones)Pencil sharpenerWax paperAluminum foil(optional) something to use as a mold for your molten “rock.” VOCABULARY:There are three main types of rocks, classified by how they form.IGNEOUS rocks are formed from molten rock, called MAGMA, that crystallizes as it cools. SEDIMENTARY rocks are formed at the earth’s surface, from fragments of rock called SEDIMENTS. The sediments come from other rocks that have been weathered by wind or water or other processes. Sedimentary rocks might be loose, or might be cemented (stuck loosely) together. METAMORPHIC rocks are formed when rocks undergo intense heat and pressure deep under the earth’s surface. RESOURCES:Step-by-step directions for the crayon rock cycle are here: littlebinsforlittlehands.com/crayon-rock-cycleTypes of rocks: kidsloverocks.com/types-of-rockThe rock cycle (with a helpful diagram): http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rock.htmlInteractive diagram: dkfindout.com/us/earth/rock-cycleHere’s an explanation of the rock cycle for grades 5-8: nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/rock-cycleThis production is brought to you by the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program, and of course, Penny. Thanks to the Thomas R. Brown Foundation, Cox Communications, and the Roche Foundation for their support.
Science Will Save the World! Episode 7: Creature Feature! Jessie Rack 2020-05-01 | Did you ever wish your skin was covered in fingernails, or that you could shoot blood out of your eyes? Have you ever tried to breathe through your skin? This week, we talk about reptiles and amphibians, and have a very special guest: a real, live horned lizard! THE BASICS: Amphibians have moist skin that they use to take up water and also oxygen from their environment! They also have what we call a "complex" life cycle, meaning they start as one thing (like a tadpole) and then change into something else (like a frog) over their lifetime. Amphibians have to lay their eggs in water. There are 3 groups of amphibians: frogs (& toads), salamanders, and caecilians.Reptiles have skin covered in scales - a protective covering made of the same material as your fingernails or hair, a protein called keratin. They can lay their eggs on land because the eggs are covered in a leathery shell which keeps them from drying out. There are 5 groups of reptiles: lizards, snakes, turtles, crocodilians, and tuatara. VOCABULARYReptiles and amphibians are alike in that they're both ECTOTHERMIC. This means that their body temperature is controlled by the outside environment (like laying on a rock in the sun to warm up). The opposite of this is ENDOTHERMIC, which is what we are - our bodies do all the work to keep us the right temperature, and we never need to lay in the sun (unless we want to). This horned lizard helpfully demonstrated a trait called TONIC IMMOBILITY. It's a natural state of paralysis that nobody can really explain, though it might be like playing dead to deter a predator. ***This production is brought to you by the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program and Penny the cat (even though she was hiding behind the couch for this one). Thanks to the Thomas R. Brown Foundation, Cox Communications, and the Roche Foundation for their support.PS: my t-shirt this week features another awesome lizard, the gila monster! This shirt was designed by a local Tucson artist who could probably use your support about now. It also comes in kid sizes! popcycleshop.com/collections/artist-designed-ts/products/gila-monster-t-shirt
Science Will Save the World! Episode 6: All About Pollination Jessie Rack 2020-04-24 | Get ready to learn about the birds and the bees! That's the story of pollination - when flowers use animals to help them get their pollen from place to place so they can make seeds. This episode builds off of the flower anatomy lesson (don't worry - I review all the parts!) and demonstrates the pollination process in a memorable way: I turn my head into a flower. What pollinators have you seen near you? Take a walk outside, see what's blooming, and see what animals you can spot in and around the flowers! Some common pollinators include bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds, bats, and even ants!RESOURCES:Here are a bunch of useful links to educational tools, activities, and more! pollinator.org/learning-center/educationThis production is brought to you by the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program, and of course, the always perfect Penny.Thanks to the Thomas R. Brown Foundation, Cox Communications, and the Roche Foundation for their support.
Science Will Save the World! Episode 5: Flower Anatomy Jessie Rack 2020-04-17 | What's inside of a flower? Flower anatomy is a little more complicated than you might expect! On today's episode, we learn the names of the parts and then dissect a cactus flower. Try this at home! (Except probably not with a cactus.) VOCABULARY:People who study flowers think about flower anatomy (the parts of a flower) in four WHORLS, or circles-inside-of-circles. We talked about flower parts from the outside in. First, the very outside whorl is made up of the SEPALS. These are the parts of a flower that protect the flower before it opens. Think about a rosebud: the kind of leafy green parts that cover the bud are the sepals. Moving inward, next we have the PETALS, which are often colorful and smell nice. Then, we get to the reproductive parts of the flower - these are the parts that will eventually make seeds. Flowers can be PERFECT, with both male and female parts (I recommend you dissect a perfect flower). Flowers can also be IMPERFECT, with either male or female parts. In a perfect flower, the next whorl is the STAMENS. These are the male parts of a flower, made up of a stalk, called a FILAMENT, holding up an ANTHER, which holds the pollen. More on this next week. Finally, the inner whorl of a perfect flower is the PISTIL, or the female part of the flower. The pistil is made of of three parts: a sticky STIGMA on top, a long STYLE, and an OVARY at the base. The ovary contains OVULES, which you can think of as pre-seeds. Something has to happen for the ovules to become seeds - stay tuned!RESOURCES:This site has nicely labeled images of the flower parts: k8schoollessons.com/parts-of-a-flowerFeeling confident? Try labeling your own flower with this worksheet (this links to a pdf): https://askabiologist.asu.edu/sites/default/files/resources/coloring_pages/pdf/aab_flower_anatomy_activity.pdfThis production is brought to you by the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program, and of course, Penny.Thanks to the Thomas R. Brown Foundation, Cox Communications, and the Roche Foundation for their support.
Science Will Save the World! Episode 4: Backyard Biodiversity Jessie Rack 2020-04-10 | Today’s episode is all about biodiversity! Biodiversity means the variety of life, and is measured by counting the number of different kinds of living things in a particular place. You can do a backyard biodiversity survey in your yard or on your street: give yourself a set amount of time and write down every different kind of plant, animal, or fungus you can find! If you don’t know its name, that’s OK, just write down what it looks like. WHAT YOU’LL NEED:-Paper-Something to write with. -(Advanced version): a phone or iPad with the “Seek” app downloaded. Use the app’s camera feature to identify species!Do you think the biodiversity of your backyard would be the same or different in summer? In winter? If you want, you can save your list of species, and go back in a few weeks and do the survey again to compare!Thanks to my friends at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for inspiration! They’ve also developed a FREE printable coloring book graphic novel about the biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert, find it here: desertmuseum.org/center/edu/k_12_new.phpThis production is brought to you by the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program, and the world's best field assistant, Penny.
Science Will Save the World! Episode 3: Weve Got Chemistry! (Acid and Base Experiment) Jessie Rack 2020-04-03 | Today we are exploring the wonderful world of chemistry with an acid-base experiment. Using household ingredients, we create a reaction that (if we’re lucky) makes a Ziploc bag explode!Ingredients:1/2 cup Vinegar 2 Tablespoons Baking SodaZiploc bagPaper towel (ripped into a square)3/4 cup waterFood coloring (optional)Vocabulary:Atom – the teeny-tiny building blocks that make up all matter in the universe. Kind of like Legos.Ion – atoms or groups of atoms with an electrical charge, either positive or negative. Acids and Bases – special chemicals that contain lots of ions, which makes them want to react with each other. Acids have lots of positive ions; bases have lots of negative ions. ***Higher-Level Science Explanation:What’s really happening here is a two-part reaction. In step one, vinegar (acetic acid) reacts with the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to form sodium acetate and carbonic acid. In step two, the carbonic acid immediately falls apart into carbon dioxide and water. The bubbles you see are the carbon dioxide leaving the solution!Equation: (for proper notation, see thoughtco.com/equation-for-the-reaction-of-baking-soda-and-vinegar-604043)Step 1:Sodium bicarbonate + acetic acid → sodium acetate + carbonic acidNaHCO3 + HC2H3O2 → NaC2H3O2 + H2CO3Step 2:Carbonic acid → water + carbon dioxideH2CO3 → H2O + CO2Once again, this production is brought to you by the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program. And Penny!
Science Will Save the World! Episode 2: Sky Island Field Trip Jessie Rack 2020-03-27 | The word of the day is biome! You can think of a biome as a “nature zone” – a zone that’s defined by what kind of plants live there. Mountains in the Sonoran Desert are special because they are sky islands – as you go up the mountain, it gets cooler and wetter, which means the nature zones change with elevation. Let’s go on a field trip up a sky island in Arizona! Biomes we experience today:DesertGrasslandDeciduous Forest (trees that lose their leaves. This one is an oak forest)ChaparralConiferous Forest (trees with needles)Can you draw your own sky island? Draw a mountain where the nature changes as you go up it. Feel free to use your imagination! I’d love to see what you come up with.This video was filmed at various points on Babad Do'ag, also known as Mount Lemmon, in Tucson, Arizona. Once again, this production is brought to you by the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program. And Penny!PS: Most of what I know about sky islands was gained by reading A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert, published by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (desertmuseum.org) Interested in learning more about sky islands or about conserving these amazing places? Check out Sky Island Alliance (skyislandalliance.org)
Who is Jessie Rack? IF/THEN Ambassador Introduction Video Jessie Rack 2019-11-20 | Hi, I'm Jessie Rack! Also, update: I'm now a grownup and still love playing outside and catching animals.
Who Pooped in the Garden? Worm Science with Jessie Rack Jessie Rack 2019-07-19 | Regeneration! Multiple hearts! High-quality poop! Earthworms are amazing creatures and a super important part of the garden ecosystem. Ecologist Jessie Rack is here to shout about earthworm science in the garden!Jessie is the Environmental Education Program Coordinator of the University of Arizona's Community and School Garden Program. Check them out at: https://schoolgardens.arizona.edu/Jessie's website: jessierack.com Thanks for watching!
