New book explores history of ISP’s innovative mySci program

Think back to your elementary and middle school science experiences. What were you taught? How were you taught? Chances are, you may not remember much about science in your elementary school. In middle school, you might remember your textbook and taking turns reading the textbook out loud in class. Maybe you remember the occasional egg-drop […]

Rainbow Snowflakes

Activity: Try this fun activity on a sunny day to explore patterns of how  sun reflects light. Take an old CD and use the shiny side to reflect light onto a blank wall or poster board. Questions to Ask: What do you notice? Do you see a pattern? Are the patterns moving? Do you see […]

Penguin Feathers and Wet Weather

Activity: Print or find a penguin picture to color. Free ones can be printed at: https://www.momjunction.com/articles/penguin-coloring-pages-for-your-little-ones_0089527/#gref. Color in the penguin feathers with crayons. Fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops food coloring. Put the colored picture on a tray and spray the picture of the penguin while noticing what happens to the water […]

Fizzy Ice

Materials: Crushed or cubed pieces of ice in a bowl Vinegar Food coloring Medicine dropper Baking soda Activity: Mix vinegar and food coloring to make colored vinegar. Put this in little cups. Next, fill up a bowl with crushed or cubed ice and build mounds of ice. Add some baking soda on each mound and […]

mySci Do program brings science to life for St. Louis students

A collaboration of Washington University’s Institute for School Partnership, The Little Bit Foundation and other community partners is seeking to provide more equitable access to 21st century STEM in underserved schools. The mySci Do program engages students in learning through making, computing and designing, using tangible materials such as legos, robotics and electric circuits. Modeled after mySci – a […]

mySci's Arch Hour of Code Challenge

In 1933, St. Louis attorney Luther Elly Smith conceived of a monument honoring Thomas Jefferson and his vision for westward expansion. In 1947, a national design competition for a monument was launched. Architect Eero Saarinen’s stainless steel Arch was chosen the winner, and construction of the monument was completed in 1965. The  stainless steel Gateway Arch […]

Falling Leaves

Activity: Pick a tree to watch during the fall. When the leaves start changing colors, try and predict how long it will be before leaves starting dropping off the tree. Notice from which side of the tree leaves fall first. Are all the trees losing their leaves at the same time? Try and see if […]

Football Plays

Activity: Compare a football with other kinds of sports balls; baseball, tennis ball, etc. Observe what happens when you throw them. Try throwing them straight up in the air and then a forward pass. Next try bouncing them on a hard surface (Not in your living room!) Also try catching them. Observe the differences. Questions […]

Acorns, Food or Seeds?

Activity: Look for an oak tree with acorns. Sometimes as you are walking along the sidewalk you see many acorns lying on the ground, under a tree. Sometimes they are still attached to the tree. Notice the leaves and bark of the tree where you find the acorns. Look carefully at one of the acorns, […]

Shadow Play

Activity: Autumn is a great time to notice how the shadows from the sun on earth are changing. Shadows become longer starting in the fall. In the morning or afternoon, trace your shadow at the same time in the same place with a piece of chalk over a couple weeks.If your child is not familiar with […]