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Newton Network Newsletter
April 2009
Newton Network News:
April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Spring did spring (or sprung) in March but, just in case you didn’t look outside, it was met with snow flurries and unseasonable cold weather here in the northern part of the state. I guess some of us will have to live with the fact that Phil predicted six more weeks of winter.
Spring is a time of renewal as trees begin to bud, wildflowers burst into bloom and our environment emerges from a winter nap. In this issue we will explore the possibilities that you can use in your classroom to explore the renewal found in both plant and animal behavior with experiments in plant growth and animal activity
Once again, please pass your newsletter on to your colleagues and let them know that they can sign up for their own newsletter as easily as going to our website (www.unr.edu/newton).
In This Issue:
Hydroponics- Classroom experiments with hydroponics
Plant Experiments- Let your students explore plant growth and environmental effects.
Hibernating Animals and Wild Animal Sanctuaries- Plan your next field trip
Summer Camps and activities- 2009 Summer Camps for science, math and engineering. NEW CAMP ADDED!
Judges and Volunteers needed- The International Science and Engineering Fair comes to Reno
Newton Network – Newton Network web site updates
 Hydroponics- Set up your own hydroponics garden in the classroom! Hydroponics, from the Greek words hydro (water) and ponos (labour), is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions almost completely without soil. Hydroponics gardens can be planted anywhere and can be an abundant source of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Try building a hydroponics garden in an aquarium, as shown on the Simply Hydroponics website: (http://simplyhydro.com/free2.htm )
For a more advanced hydroponics experiment, ask students to test what happens when a potting mix has a buffer, like peat, compared to when it is
grown in a completely inert mixture, such as in Grodan stonewool, which is the typical basis for a hydroponic garden. (http://www.hydroponics101.com/sw87217.asp)
Located in Reno, Nevada Naturals is one of the hydroponic gardens in the state. Located in sight of downtown Reno, Nevada Naturals is run at UNR’s agricultural experimental station and has a 27-acre garden. Nevada Naturals has an open seminar on the last Saturday of every month from 10am-12pm and they also host school trips. Contact them at (nevadanaturals1@hotmail.com ) or on their website (http://www.nevadanaturals.com/ )
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Plant Experiments- Try these plant-oriented activities to give students hands-on experience with the organisms that can be found in almost any environment on the planet.
Soda bottle terrariums are a quick, inexpensive way to teach students about plant life and the water cycle. Students can make and decorate their own terrariums and make daily observations about the growth of the plant inside. (http://www.stormthecastle.com/terrarium/soda-bottle-terrarium.htm )
How much of an effect does acid rain really have on plant growth? These eight experiments deal with the effects of acid rain on plants. Each experiment can be done individually or in sequence. (http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/environmental_projects.html)
Fast growing plants, like mustard and radish, are designed to grow and flower quickly so they can be used as a hands-on way to teach students about the plant life cycle. Your class may also breed several generations of fast plants and teach basic genetics (http://www.fastplants.org/ )
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Hibernating Animals and Animal Sanctuaries- This is the time of year when critters sleeping all winter come back out to rejoin the world. Teach students about hibernating animals with fun classroom activities. Also, in-state wild animal sanctuaries.
Geared towards younger students, this activity features links to animals that hibernate during the winter months. Each link leads to a description of the animal and coloring pages. The coloring pages can also be used to teach animal anatomy. (http://www.enchantedlearning.com/coloring/Hibernate.shtml)
Lions and tigers and…llamas? Oh my! Spring brings the reopening of animal sanctuaries around the state. These sanctuaries all offer class trips to teach students about wild animals and animals that are victims of abandonment.
Animal Ark in the Reno area is an open-range sanctuary where animals from wolves to leopards are allowed to run free in large enclosed habitats. Reopening April 1st, the Ark is twenty three miles outside of Reno but worth the drive. The bonus of going to Animal Ark is that it acquires all its electricity from the sun using solar panels; this can lead to a discussion of renewal energy if that is appropriate in your classroom. (http://www.animalark.org/)
Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary in Las Vegas is the home to rescued animals from all over the state. Home to llamas, a bird aviary and a myriad of other animals, the sanctuary is located on Racel Street in Las Vegas. (http://naturesanctuarygilcrease.org/ )
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Summer camps and activities– We have found one math camp, two engineering camps, a space/math camp and Kids University planned for this summer. Registration will begin soon for all of these. We are still looking for more to pass along, so if you hear of anything, let us know.
Reno Girls’ Math and Technology Camp will be once again held on the UNR campus in Reno the week of July 19-24. The purpose of the program is to increase girls’ skills and confidence in math and technology. Deadline for registration is March 27, 2009. Contact the Program Assistant at 775-682-7849 or email mathcamp@unr.nevada.edu for more information or an application form.
Kids University has science programs running from June 6-July 24. Kids can get creative making their own robots from Legos and how to make their own chocolate; there is even a class for 4th-6th graders called KIDS in Space. Registration and information can be found at (http://www.extendedstudies.unr.edu/cxsforkids.htm)
Introduction to Engineering camps (designed for students 12-14) will be held on the UNR campus June 22-26, July 13-17 and July 27-31. Civil Engineering Camps (designed for students 14-17) will be held July 6-10 and July 20-24. Both camps feature hands-on activities like blasting bottle rockets and creating a digital video game. For more information and the application visit (http://www.unr.edu/engineering/outreach/camps.html )
The Liftoff with Math camp is taking place again on the UNLV campus in Las Vegas. This week-long camp gives middle and high school students with a space-oriented mathematical and computer sciences experience. More information and registration can be found at their website (http://edoutreach.unlv.edu/spacecamps/index.html )
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Judges and Volunteers needed- The International Science and Engineering fair is coming to Reno and needs volunteers and judges. High-school from around the world will strut their stuff in this science and engineering version of the Olympics. This exciting event probably will not be back soon so sign up to volunteer or just to visit. The fair is from May 10-15 and more information can be found at their website, (http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/index.asp )
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Newtown Network Web Site – We continue to improve our website to make finding information and resources you need much easier to locate. This month we have revised the connections page index to make locating a needed connection even easier with improved indexing. As always, your comments and suggestion are greatly appreciated. Feel free to contact Robert Newbury with any suggestions.
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