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Science Experiment How To Make Invisible Ink

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Invisible ink has been used by spies and secret lovers alike for centuries to transmit hidden messages to their partners. Invisible ink isn’t just something you see in James Bond movies; hundreds of liquids, from fruit juices to household liquids, to specially formulated chemicals, can be used as invisible ink. In this science experiment, become a master of “steganography” by making your own invisible ink from baking soda and send secret messages to your friends:

WHAT YOU NEED:

“Purple grape juice
“Baking soda
“Tap water
“Cotton swab
“White writing paper

HOW TO PROCEED:

1.Thoroughly mix equal parts tap water and baking soda powder in a container until dissolved.
2.Use a cotton swab or fine paintbrush to write a message onto the white writing paper, using the baking soda and water solution as invisible ‘ink’. Make sure to dip the swab into the “ink” often so that the recipient can read the message with ease.
3.Allow the “ink” to dry out thoroughly until the writing becomes completely invisible. Your secret message is now ready to be delivered to the intended recipient.
4.One way for the recipient to read the message is to hold the paper up to a heat source, such as a light bulb, hot iron or it can even be placed in an oven. The baking soda will cause the writing in the paper to turn brown to enable the recipient to read the message!
5.A second method to read the message is to paint over the paper with purple grape juice. The message will appear in a different colour!

This science experiment works because substances such as vinegar or baking soda are either mildly acidic or alkaline, and such an acid or base weakens paper. The base from the baking soda remains in the paper after the water has evaporated and the paper has dried. When the paper is then held near a heat source such as a light bulb or hot iron, the alkaline parts of the paper burn or turn brown before the rest of the paper does, revealing the message written on the paper!

If you are using the grape juice method to reveal the message, the baking soda and grape juice react with each other in an acid-base reaction, producing a colour change in the paper to enable the recipient to read the secret message. Grape juice concentrate results in a more visible colour change than regular grape juice. There are many other household liquids that can be used to make invisible ink. Using the heat method, you can also use white wine, vinegar, apple juice, and even milk!

Take Student Travel Groups on a Science Trip to Washington D.C.

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Student travel group leaders and teachers often take school groups to Washington D.C. on history and government tours. Our nations capitol has a rich history, and the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government are centrally located there. This makes the trip to Washington D.C. perfect for the study of history and government.

Yet Washington D.C. is also an ideal location for student trips which focus on science based learning. There are numerous points of interest in the Washington D.C. area that complement the study of science including: Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American & Natural History Museum, NASA Goddard Visitors Center, Maryland Science Center, Baltimore National Aquarium, Marian Koshland Science Museum, and the National Zoo. In addition to scheduling visits to these locations on the itinerary, student tour groups can also allow time to visit the U.S. Capitol/Supreme Court, take an illuminated tour of Memorials and Monuments, and see the U.S.S. Barry — all in a three or four day tour.

This article will provide a brief overview of major points of interest for a science tour of Washington D.C.

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum & Smithsonian American Natural History Museum
These two museums are a great starting point for an educational science trip.
U.S. explorations of space and innovations in flight are well-documented and preserved in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Students can participate in guided tours, or educational programs that are appropriate for specific grade levels. A visit to the Air and Space Museum will provide interactive learning about airplanes, outer space explorations and pivotal moments in U.S. history when American scientists and programs led the world in discoveries in flight and space missions.

The American Natural History Museum provides guided and self-guided tours and educational programs related to the history of the earth: fossils, stones, animals, pre-historic wildlife and remains, oceanic environments, and more. Student tour groups can visit permanent or special exhibits related to their curricular studies and teachers can focus the visit on exhibits which complement actual classroom learning experiences in the natural sciences. A visit to these two Smithsonian Museums provides an excellent opportunity for learning about science.

NASA Goddard Visitors Center
At the NASA Goddard Visitors Center, student tour groups gain a deeper level of insight into contemporary space exploration. The group can view photographs taken from the Hubble Space Telescope with pictures of planets, galaxies, black holes and views of earth taken from outer space. Students may view movies of earth and outer space in the Science on a Sphere projection room, where film is projected onto a spherical screen. Student groups will also learn about information gathered from satellites and other vehicles designed to explore deep space, through photographs of phenomenon on earth, the sun, and planets. Student education is enhanced through the lens of high tech devices, utilized by the NASA scientists to further our knowledge about the universe.

Maryland Science Center & Baltimore National Aquarium
Located in Baltimore, MD, just an hour outside of Washington D.C., are two premiere attractions for the science student: Maryland Science Center and the Baltimore National Aquarium. The Maryland Science Center has a rooftop observatory as well as nightly Sky and Stars SkiCasts to help the astronomy student interpret the activities of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies and occurrences. Students can watch live chemical and scientific experiments on the Demo stage, see science films projected onto a sphere, or ride on Segways when they tour the Maryland Science Center.

At the Baltimore National Aquarium, students will be especially pleased by the new exhibit, “A Dolphins World” an extraordinary Dolphin Show that teaches students about the ocean planet, and the way human behavior in and near the Chesapeake Bay watershed affects the dolphins environment on a daily basis. The Baltimore National Aquarium also has a 4-D Immersion Theater with daily shows as well as 16,500 animals on exhibit. Its no wonder the Baltimore National Aquarium is internationally known and recognized as one of the finest aquariums in the United States. The opportunity to visit the Baltimore National Aquarium will complement any classroom studies on oceanography and life beneath the sea.

Marian Koshland Science Museum
The National Academy of Sciences Marian Koshland Science Museum in Washington D.C. features interactive exhibits that teach visitors about the immediate impact science has on our daily lives. Here students will learn about the importance of safe drinking water, infectious diseases, DNA, and some of the wonders of science. The exhibits are ongoing and will change from time to time. Teachers are advised to check the Museum website to coordinate curricular plans with current exhibits.

National Zoo
The National Zoo is a spectacular showcase for animals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians from a variety of eco-systems around the world. There are numerous exhibits, many with a geographical focus such as on North America, Asia, the Amazon and Africa; exhibits that concentrate on species are: Great Cats, Giant Pandas, Birds, and Asian Elephants. Teachers can access the National Zoo website well in advance of the trip to develop lesson plans that are in sync with the visit. The curriculum guides are grade specific and available for free download, with core materials included for classroom learning, making it easy for teachers to prepare students for the trip to the National Zoo.

Teachers looking to organize a science trip will find a wealth of opportunity for quality educational experiences in Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Some of the finest science museums in the world are located in the capitol city. For more information about a science based student trip and itinerary visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com or email for details on scheduling or pricing.

The Art and Science of CV Writing

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Most people would scoff at the title of this article -The Art and Science of CV Writing,’ because to most people it isn’t an art form and there isn’t much science at all when it comes to writing a CV. For many it is simply a matter of following the age-old set of rules, or filling in the blanks on a template. /p>

The trouble with this attitude is that it is somewhat naive as well as outdated, and although for the vast majority, the art and science of CV writing has stood still for decades, for some at least, it has moved on. And I detail some of the very latest developments and revelations in my forthcoming CV book.

You should be aware that just because most people write CVs in the same laissez-faire haphazard manner, it doesn’t mean to say that everyone else does. Indeed, the very best CV writers (who are few and far between) apply real science and methodology in their work; amongst other things drawing upon psychology to attract the employer as well as sales and marketing techniques to pinpoint and hammer home the right message. All this is far easier said than done, and takes more than just methods, but writing talent, originality and creativity.

CV writing in the 21st century really is an art and science in itself.

Of course, most people are still using 20th-century techniques, and it is not impossible to get jobs with an old school CV, or even one which isn’t as powerful as it could be. However, the thing you should remember is that just because there is still a chance of landing good jobs with an unspectacular CV, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is best to apply with one. It isn’t. After all, the job market is extremely competitive these days, you need to stand out from the crowd, and you need to present your case in the most powerful terms. And the prospect of doing this with a conventional CV is becoming ever harder. If you want a brighter career future then rather than looking backwards you really need a more futuristic CV. I’m not talking about a -beam me up Scotty’ neon light sabre of a CV – just something professional looking, but very hard-hitting and highly effective once it falls in the lap of an employer.

If you listen to most CV companies they will almost all tell you they can write just that. However, since the vast majority of CV companies use outdated methods, it is highly unlikely they can. So just beware of that when you are contemplating who you want to help you with your CV.

Author biography Paul Hichens is highly respected UK based CV writer, his radical CV book is due for publication in the summer of 2013 .

Science For Kids – Keeping Them Interested

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Are your children naturally curious? Do they wonder how things work? Do they marvel at the stars and moon? Are they the hands-on type that are always taking things apart and putting them back together?

To some parents, such habits may seem annoying, but kids who show a keen interest in acquiring scientific knowledge early in life eventually become intelligent, inquisitive teens and adults who don’t take a simple “yes” or “no” for an answer. Their curious minds will take them far!

Science for kids can be wonderfully fascinating! What child doesn’t love performing experiments or building models during science class or for the school science fair? Parents should remember, however, that science doesn’t have to be limited to the school classroom, and that at-home science activities can go a long way in keeping a child interested in the world around him. Truth is, kids can enjoy science just about anywhere, as long as parents are eager to guide.

Science at Home

The National Science Foundation says that parents are their kid’s first science teachers. They also point out that you don’t need to be an expert in the subject because science for kids is everywhere, including inside your home and out in your backyard. You need only point out the wonders of everyday science to your kids to keep them interested.

Remember, science is all about observing, exploring, and testing, and even the youngest children can be involved in these three tasks. Here are a few examples of everyday science-related activities you can enjoy with your child.

– Go for a walk and take along a magnifying glass. Stop to pick up some interesting natural objects along the way such as flowers, a few blades of grass, rocks or stones, and even insects. Look at them with the magnifying glass and allow your child to tell you what they see. This teaches them to be good observers. If you find an object or creature that really intrigues your child, look it up on the internet or in a book when you return home and gather more information. Or better yet, look at the object under a microscope.

– Let your child help you cook. All sorts of wonderful scientific processes happen at the stove! Talk about boiling water, melting butter, caramelization, or how mixtures change when they are baked. These things may be commonplace to you, but to a child, they’re fascinating!

– Track the phases of the moon. Look for the constellations that appear during various seasons. Viewing the sky is an easy way to introduce the study of astronomy. A simple, inexpensive telescope further enhances this type of science for kids.

– Does your child have a favorite sport or activity? If it’s baseball, talk about pitching and speed. If it’s cycling, skateboarding, or roller blading, explore how the wheels on their vehicle turn. If it’s football, find out why the ball is shaped that way. How about dancing? Dancers can learn about why stretching is important before dancing and about keeping their body conditioned. The possibilities are endless!

– Build something! Science for kids should involve creativity. Consider making silly putty or play dough, build a periscope, construct a model of the solar system.

You don’t need to wait until the annual school science fair to have fun with science. Just a few spare minutes can keep your child interested for a lifetime.

Understanding the Science of Orthotics

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If you have ever experienced a damaged arm or knee, chances are you know of the word Orthotics due to the fact you needed to rely on them. Still, even though you’ve never had a broken arm or leg previously, you could potentially still benefit from it. Orthotics is a medical specialization which is focused on designing and constructing a device which provides support for one’s bones and muscles to either support or control motion.

Who benefits from supports? Besides individuals who have experienced impaired arms and legs, those who havent had injuries could make use of it. Those who utilize orthotics are:

– People who have extreme back conditions that cause their spine to curve, like scoliosis and osteoporosis; – Individulas who are not able to keep proper posture on account of spinal cord injuries and stroke; – Those who experienced arm, elbow and hand fractures; – Folks who have peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, polio, arthritis and other sickness that causes weakness in their lower limbs; – Persons who have foot deformities; and – Athletes who would like to improve their stride and balance.

Foot orthotics is the most popular area of this discipline due to the fact that individuals with or without muscle and skeletal difficulties can make use of it. This specific branch by itself may be divided into two kinds: the functional orthotics and accommodative orthotics.

Activities such as walking and running are necessary in retaining a healthy lifestyle given that these are aerobic exercises that enhance blood circulation and strengthen muscles. Unfortunately, such simple exercises may be undesirable for those with foot deformities. Additionally, persons who endure a lot of strain on their lower limbs and feet would have issues with these routines too. The heels, shins and legs are not the just parts of the body which get the strain, but the lower back. The wrong type of movement of the feet is sort of a tide which impacts your entire body. Some individuals with foot deformities report that also their lower back, their hips as well as their shoulders ache from simply taking walks!

To lessen the load as well as ache on the feet, foot inserts are generally advised. As said earlier, foot orthotics assists in keeping stability and also help reduce the tension on the feet. Whenever shoe inserts are employed, the person will feel significantly less pressure plus more convenience. That individual may even realize that his balance has improved so there is certainly much less tendency having to deal with ankle problems.

Some sportsmen make use of footwear inserts because their lower limbs carry considerably more stress compared to people undertaking normal activities and they are therefore, prone to foot traumas. The improved balance these inserts offer will also help them optimize their abilities and potential when performing their sport, whether it is basketball, baseball, lawn tennis and others. These shoe inserts likewise have shock absorbing qualities, lessening the stress and also impact the hindfoot has to carry whenever actively playing.

Orthotics is as well recommended for kids with foot deformities. These should be utilized when they’re young so that they may get used to it as time goes by. The kid might have lesser probability of twisting his ankle or slipping to the ground.