Ideal for field trips and class enrichment, Science Samplers are presentation/workshop sessions abstracted from the Museum of American Heritage workshop series. They are designed age-appropriate for elementary and middle school students. A Science Sampler session is typically 45 - 60 minutes in duration and can be scheduled conveniently on most days.
Each presentation is a walk-through in time covering events that lead to a specific discovery or invention, integrating history, demonstrations and the theory behind the discovery. At the end of a presentation, students can engage in hands-on activities relating to the topic of the session.
With ample advance notice, Science Samplers can be adapted to emphasize topics of particular interest to students and their teachers. Related take-home projects are also available on request at extra cost. Conducted tours of the Museum before or after the Science Sampler session are available by advance arrangement. Coordinating the tour with the Sampler Session reinforces the learning experience.
Available Science Sampler sessions include:
Electricity and Electromagnetism From Volta, the Italian professor who invented the battery, to Oersted, Faraday, Henry, and Tesla, students walk a time-line of discoveries. Demonstrations include: electric motor, generator, electromagnets, Tesla coil, and more. Possible take-home project: building an electromagnet; or building a mini generator (magnet shaker) that powers a dipole LED.
Electrostatics Students learn about static electricity by going way back to the days of the Greek scientists and tribo-electricity (creating electricity by rubbing, e.g., cat's fur on amber), and progressing to the monumental discoveries of Ben Franklin, Coulomb, and Michael Faraday. Demonstrations include: Leyden Jar, Electroscope, Van de Graaf Generator, Tesla Coil, and Jacob's Ladder. Possible take-home project: Building a simple electroscope
Story of Radio Students learn about the history of radio dating back to Marconi and Tesla. Depending on the age of students, basic radio theory is also covered. Demonstration: Crystal Radio
Puzzles Students learn about the various kinds of puzzles and they all get a chance to play with them. Not all puzzles are jigsaw puzzles! This presentation can easily be integrated with a Mathematics curriculum. Possible take-home project: Making your own puzzle (e.g. tangram, wooden pyramid puzzle)
