This is an activity that enables you and your child to observe the life-cycle of fruitflies. Put some fruit in a bowl and simply, wait for fruit flies to land on ’em ! While the flies are feasting on the fruit, discuss what the flies may have done. “What are they doing?” ”What kind of changes do you see on the fruit?” Whip out your magnifying glass and look at the fruit. Do you see any eggs there? Cover the platter of fruit with a cloth and fasten it with a band. You could lift the cloth off at various intervals in the day and look for changes in the fruit. In the span of a week, you and your child can view the changes as the eggs hatch into larvae, the larvae grow into pupae and watch as the the pupae emerge as adult flies.
Category > Exploring Science
A chameleon’s point of view
A chameleon is able to see in different directions at the same time. This enables it to ‘multitask’- watch for predators and look for food. As a mom, I can think of times when I wish I had eyes like that – watch the toddler and keep an eye on the frying pan, watch the [...]
Sock ‘em
Before you decide to throw out your old stockings, restrain yourself. They come in handy for this simple ‘gardening’ activity. Fill an old nylon stocking with compost ( soil-lest). Make a knot at the opening. Now you’ve got a head, somewhat. Use some markers and draw in a face. Plant grass seed on top of [...]
Incey,wincey spider
When we had our first baby, we were living in a cramped apartment in the inner-city. There were no playgrounds no parks nearby; directly below our flat was a sprawling carpark, lined with tarred roads and hemmed by wired fences. The year before, someone living a floor below us got busted by the police for possessing firearms. That year itself, two shootings had occured just a block away , [...]
Rocks and gardens
Soil and sand hold an amazing fascination for children. They love to dig in it , throw it about , examine it as one would for precious gems, and occasionally, eat it, as a child so exhuberantly demonstrated at playgroup the other day. Soil can be really handy for kids to practise scientific investigation. In [...]
Growing plants from leaves
I did this for a science project when I was in elementary school. I remember this very clearly because I was hooked the instant I knew that I could grow plants from leaves! Cut off three leaves from an African violet plant. (Make sure the leaves are in good condition.) Then place the leaves in a cup of water in a sunny place. A window sill will do very nicely. Watch and wait ! You could write down or sketch the changes that you observe . In time, you will see that small leaves and new roots have grown from the leaves. Prepare the pots : Firstly, push a string or thin strip of cloth through the hole that is at the bottom [...]
