Is there an actual purpose of slime, other than making kids laugh?

Slimes are fun, but they have a real function for animals to defend against attack, ridding your body of germs, and even helping make your toast sweet. Jams, sunbutters, and saliva are all types of slimes that are viscous (thick), sticky (cohesive/adhesive) and wet. On this day, our students made slimes that solve a problem, and explored the elements inside those viscous (thick) liquids in our refrigerator that make them so much fun.

Our young scientists explored the hands-on science below

• How to adjust the ratios of elements to change a chemical’s properties using hands-on science

• When a substance is or is not a slime, based a simple three-part test (Is it viscous? Is it sticky? Is it wet?)

• Comparing the relative viscosity (thickness) of any two liquids, using a simple incline plane to compare their speed rolling down a slight hill.

Watch the video below for an episode of Science Max for Kids about all types of chemical reactions, including real applications of slime and please don’t forget your INNOVATION BOX, which is customized by your child every Wednesday at Kids Science Labs, to enable at home science and create new neuroscience pathways that increase the fun and build real confidence with hands-on science. ….

As members, please take advantage of our KSL Rewards Program that offers benefits to our entire community. Call us at (773-798-2012 or email support@kidssciencelabs.com) and mention “KSL Blog”

• 20% off any new program registration (parties, camps, group events, field trips) after this camp

• Free access to KSL Academy Programs for gifted and enthusiastic young scientists

• Social media raffle for members to win birthday party giveaways at Kids Science Labs

• Exclusive members-only Youtube content that powers kids to outperform in STEM long-term and on NGSS tests in 3rd, 5th, and 7th grade!

Why does Orange Juice get so clumpy when you add milk to the cup?

Everything is made of stuff called elements. Different combinations make different things. When you mix certain elements and groups of elements together, sometimes they react and fizz, bubble, or explode. Kids are exploring what nearly everything is made of, namely elements, and why certain combinations of elements (molecules) are more reactive than others. A chemical reaction is anytime you mix two things, and you get something new. Students learned that they are irreversible, and typically can be seen via a color change, temperature change, fizzing, or a state change.

On this day, we led our students to deepen their understand that everything is made of smaller things, called elements, and investigated:

• how the entire universe has an ingredient list called the “periodic table of elements” that is organized and helps us understand how things behave when you mix them

• how some elements are metals and exist as solids, and others are non-metals and may exist as solids, liquids, or gases

• what happens when two things mix and things stay the same ( physical reaction) v. something new is created (chemical reaction)

• why ratios matter, and how acid and bases can be used to create innovative tools

In camp kids are making their own customized chemistry kits, with the elements of fun. We love providing our community with useful resources for kids to learn more at home, so show your kids this fun video to build confidence with Chemical Reactions:

Can a bridge made of paper support three large elephants?

Every class @KSL starts with a question that motivates and excites students to begin to think critically about the science we see everyday. Whether in Chicago, Seattle, or D.C., bridges are a critical part of how our cities work to transport pedestrians, wildlife, vehicles, and goods safely to their destination. So on this day in Builder’s Paradise, we used everyday innovations to better understand how to make bridges stronger with shapes and durable materials, how to protect them from both physical and environmental damage, and how to customize them to meet the needs of any unique situation in our city.

Students performed problem solving experiments along several dimensions to better understand Civil Engineering and Bridge Infrastructure:

• How do we make a paper bridge stronger by changing its shape and bundling (stacking paper together to improve its density)

• Why is it important to test maximum loads of each type of material on a bridge during and after construction

• How do environmental conditions (wind, humidity, heat, water) affect bridge designs

• Where may the certain types of bridges be most useful (beam, truss, suspension, arch)

Our older students may also have looked at what can go wrong in bridge design and discussed some of the issues in our U.S. infrastructure issues with bridges that are 100+ years old, that were designed before we had cars, trucks, and massive transportation infrastructure.

For more advanced learning, please show the following video or watch it alongside your child to build problem solving with bridges

Creativity and Problem Solving Summer Camps boost kids academic performance at Kids Science Labs

Chicago Summer Camps offer family friendly STEM programs for kids at Kids Science Labs

Chicago Summer Camps are a special time at Kids Science Labs. Last year, we explored Adventures in Space - Living on Mars, where our scholars will investigate the core science to terraform a planet, design real gear to explore space, and experience both chemical and physical propulsion. Each year, our stem programs for kids provide family friendly activities, including our #1 ranked Chicago Summer Camps.

Kid’s Summer Camp experiences offer enrichment activities for kids

From the time kids are walking, our kids are ready for the most exciting kid’s summer camp activities, and we are happy to ensure that when you are looking for things to do in Chicago with kids. In Chicago, there are many camp choices, including camps at the Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium.

Kids Science Labs offers Kids’ Summer Camp like no other STEM program for Kids

However, when looking for summer camps for 4 year olds, stem programs for kids that are proven to reduce summer learning gaps, kids’ summer camp experiences that receive five-star reviews by parents, look no further than Kids Science Labs

Call us at 773-798-2012 or email support@kidssciencelabs.com to learn more about Chicago Summer Camps.

Your kids’ summer camp in chicago, also has benefits for parents too

Our Chicago Summer Camps for kids are fun, but did you know that as parents, you also receive

• $100 any Big Birthday Blowout, reservations made during your active summer membership

• Early Registration for Day Off Camps, Holiday Break Camps, and School Break Camps

• A new STEAM Kit, customized for each camp week that you register for this summer. (collect all four)

• Families with 2+ kids receive additional sibling discounts

Parents who register for our Chicago Summer Camp also receive daily updates of our STEM programs for kids

Returning Members receive Early Registration Benefits for their Kid’s Summer Camp

Our Chicago Summer Camps for kids are one of the best investments when looking for stem programs for kids. Our returning members receive early registration benefits for chicago summer camps for kids. Each week, from June - August, we have a unique theme, although the camp program remains the same:

• Two (1) daily Science and Innovation Classes

• One (1) daily Art and Creativity Studio

• One (1) daily Outdoor Leadership Experience

• One (1) daily session of our award-winning leadership games.

• Lunch, Snack Break, and Closing Ceremony

• Customized Science Kits each week

  To optimize your experience with our chicago summer camps full of real hands-on learning. Call us 773-798-2012 to redeem your member benefit on any new camp registration prior to 6/15.

Kids experiment with a test tube and alka-seltzer to test chemical forms of propulsion for a launch.