Where Did the Wax Go?

It feels like forever since we posted an episode! Here's what's been on our minds during the long cold nights of winter: candle wax, and where it goes when it burns. Have you ever wondered the same thing? Then watch this mini-episode and find out all about reduction!

Happy spring! And remember, teachers, if you can't watch it here, check it out on SchoolTube!

Living Green Machine

Yesterday, we visited the Environmental Study Center in Mill Basin with Ada's science class. One of the coolest things they do is filter dirty water through a "Living Green Machine." This is a totally eco-friendly way of removing contaminants. It works like this:

Water is funneled from a filthy pond through a series of tanks. Pictured above are the first two. They contain a mixture of microorganisms, algae, and small fish. As the water moves through each of the tanks, it becomes a little cleaner. The tanks themselves become smaller, since less material is needed to clean the water.

Finally, after it has passed through 10 tanks, the water is nearly contaminant-free! How clean is it? Clean enough to be used on a mini garden of wild ginger plants. Including this one, which is so happy, it's flowering!

Hello, Gorgeous

Almost all the way there! The scent of hyacinths is spicy-sweet and powerful. In fact, these few blossoms are perfuming the entire dining room. Why do flowers have scents? To attract pollinators like bees and butterflies and hummingbirds. Different pollinators are attracted by different kinds of scents!