POSSIBLE SUPPLIES

• Assorted Empty Containers (plastic and cardboard work best)
• Scrap Fabric
• Plastic Cling Wrap
• Rubber Bands
• ​Tape

I say "Possible Supplies" because there is no wrong or right way to go about making your drum. There are various materials and supplies that can be used, and are used all around the room. From plastic buckets, to wood, and oatmeal containers. I encourage you all to experiment and see what makes the best sound to you and have fun making your own drum!

I am not kidding when I say these are the softest cookies (at least that I have ever had)! and super fun and easy to make.

​I didn't use a spoon at all while prepping this batter- its much easier to just do it by hand and break up any lumps for optimal softness. Ask a parent for help with the oven, and share with the whole family!

On this very rainy Wednesday I got to thinking about the endless clouds in the sky and how they are formed. Clouds are formed when water vapor is warmed into liquid water droplets. These water droplets form on particles (think of something like dust) and they form the massive clouds that float above us every day!

Today we are going to repeat the cloud making process at home in a jar! To do this you will need the following materials…

- Warm (but not boiling) water
- A jar with a lid (a mason jar would be best)
- Ice cubes
- Aeresol Hairspray
STEP ONE:

1. Pour warm water into the jar and swirl it around. You want the jar to get very warm just not scalding hot
2. Turn the jars lid upside down and place a couple ice cubes on top and place the lid (still upside down) onto the jar.
3. Quickly remove the lid and spray just a 1-2 second spray of aersol hairspray into the jar and immediately place the lid back in the same position
4. Take the lid off and watch your cloud escape!

Now let's talk science! Read on to see how it works

Chromatography is defined as the separation of a mixture by passing it in solution or suspension or as a vapor. This week we are going to use...

• Paper Towels
• Washable Markers (washable is important)
  
• Two Cups
• Water​

Take the paper towel and fold it in half horizontally. Color only one end in small squares of each color to make a full rainbow (check the accompanying photo). You will do this on the opposite ends of the paper towel and place each of the colored ends into the glass of water and watch the magic happen!

Capillary action is what causes the color to move through the paper towel and moves the molecules of the markers through the paper towel. Because the markers are alcohol based and not water based the color will not travel through the water. 

Happy Coloring!

This week we will be learning about the power of hydraulics! Hydraulics have been used in the Western New York area since 1882. Check out the Youtube video below and see how engineers used the power of Niagara Falls to light up millions of homes.

You can even see hydraulics used in real time at our Kiddieland park! Our helicopter ride uses hydraulic lifts to get you off the ground and cruising the sky!
 ​

In the late 1700s hydraulic power was engineered by British engineer Joseph Brama. Hydraulic systems use pressurized fluid to create power. Hydraulics are based off of Pascals principle which in short is that pressure exerted on a fluid is distributed equally throughout the fluid. This creates a mechanical energy which can create enough power to be able to move massive pieces of equipment.

To recreate this project at home it is totally possible you just need some materials...
- Two syringes 
- Clear tubing/ piping
- Water
​
You can create your own hydraulic system by filling one syringe with water, connecting the piping to the tip of the syringe and then connecting a second syringe (not filled with water) to the other end. At home you can use this hydraulic system  to do  activities such as creating a hydraulic lift (kind of like a car jack) or you can even play with someone else and have a thumb war! Whose ever syringe is able to fully get rid of the water wins!

We will be practicing with hydraulics in the children's gallery of the museum on Saturday, September 19th from 10am-3pm! We hope to see you there!