EARTH DAY and A MONTH OF MORBID MONDAYS
Now, if that's not tantalizing, I don't know what is...
Now, if that's not tantalizing, I don't know what is...
Earth Day First
So, let me give a mini-blip about Earth Day so it's sure to cross your radar: Think Green Tomorrow!
Our family's contribution is to leave the cars in the driveway all day (we try to do this a few times a week anyway, but tomorrow we'll really be intentional) and walk, bike, or ride mass transit!
Along with that, our day will be especially exciting because we're biking to our friends', the Zooks, for dinner -- where we'll meet Robert Laporte of EcoNest and discuss the Cob-building project the kids will do with him at a ScienceWorks demonstration on Saturday.
Those are just a couple things we're doing. Needless to say, there are lots of ways to be green and I'd love to hear 'em. Drop me a one-liner in the comment box and let me know how you will be green for Earth Day!
Next Up, A Month of Morbid Mondays
Okay, so now that I've gone green for a few minutes, let me go grody. If you can believe it, I can't stop thinking about Halloween and this little curriculum I'm dying to pitch to ScienceWorks. Here's what it would look like (it still needs tweaks, but I'm just getting started):
ScienceWorks presents A Month of Morbid Mondays
When: October, Mondays, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum
What: A Month of Morbid Mondays
WEEK 1 - SCARS, SCABS AND SCARY FACES
WEEK 2 - WITCHES BREW AND FROG STEW
WEEK 3 - MUMMY-MAKING MADNESS
Obviously, I have more to develop -- like:
*What kind of mummy will they make? Will it be some kind of doll wrapped in gauze? Will they wrap each other in toilet paper and recycle the material later? Will they write little skits based on legends they've heard?
*What kinds of materials will we need? rubber cement and make-up for the scars? face paint? corn syrup and red food coloring for blood? hard-boiled eggs, green olives and red food-coloring for a plate full of bloodshot eyeballs? (yes!)
But this is where it all starts, folks. Feel free to help me tweak it if you have any ideas or experience here. Oh, and I envision a class full of up to a dozen 6-10 year-olds, each alongside their "adult."
Mua-ha-ha....
Where: ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum
What: A Month of Morbid Mondays
WEEK 1 - SCARS, SCABS AND SCARY FACES
- Learn how make-up artists create disgusting visual effects
- Practice making convincing scars and scabs on yourself and others
WEEK 2 - WITCHES BREW AND FROG STEW
- Learn about famous literary concoctions, from Macbeth's Double Double Toil and Trouble to Harry Potter's Love Potion
- Dream up your own list of nasty ingredients and pen their secret spell
- Make revolting recipes from the Creepy Cuisine cookbook -- food that looks disgusting but tastes divine
WEEK 3 - MUMMY-MAKING MADNESS
- Learn the legends and myths surrounding why the ancient Egyptians embalmed the dead
- Learn how ancient Egyptians embalmed the dead - and make your own m-m-m-mummy
Obviously, I have more to develop -- like:
*What kind of mummy will they make? Will it be some kind of doll wrapped in gauze? Will they wrap each other in toilet paper and recycle the material later? Will they write little skits based on legends they've heard?
*What kinds of materials will we need? rubber cement and make-up for the scars? face paint? corn syrup and red food coloring for blood? hard-boiled eggs, green olives and red food-coloring for a plate full of bloodshot eyeballs? (yes!)
But this is where it all starts, folks. Feel free to help me tweak it if you have any ideas or experience here. Oh, and I envision a class full of up to a dozen 6-10 year-olds, each alongside their "adult."
Mua-ha-ha....
