“You walk across the rug, reach for the doorknob and……….ZAP!!! You get a static shock.

Or, you come inside from the cold, pull off your hat and……static hair!!  The static electricity makes your hair stand straight out from your head.

What is going on here? And why is static more of a problem in the winter?

To understand static electricity, we have to learn a little bit about the nature of matter. Or in other words, what is all the stuff around us made of?”

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/static.html

Today, our friends in Mr. John’s Science Activity learned about Static Electricity.  Using a balloon, a rug, some PVC pipe, and a few other unique tools, they were able to experiment with what it is and how it works.  The expressions on their faces; the sounds of joy, fascination, and disbelief; along with the exclamations when they heard the ions pop and felt the charge neutralize were proof that hands-on science is the way to get them involved in learning about the world around them.

For some other simple activities to try at home, check out:  http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/26688/static-electricity

At Haverty Hollow we believe that the benefits of the train table are similar to building with blocks.

• It requires both gross and fine motor skills.
• It can be utilized by individuals and/or groups.
• All ages enjoy discovering the different shapes and directions of tracks that are available.
• The only limit to your creation is your imagination…

On Friday morning a small group of boys, of different ages, found the train table the place to be.  It was decided that the train should go ‘ round and round and round’ as it rode around the train table.  Working together the boys discussed what they wanted to do, found the necessary pieces, made adjustments as necessary, and built something together.

Then, the challenge was to see how long they could make a train that could take all the circles, turns, and hills without falling over or breaking apart.