We're Working on a New Episode!

And it has to do with this:

Stay tuned for updates!

More Ponies of Chincoteague

This fuzzy little cutie is named Pixie Dust. She was a late foal, born in the summer of 2014, and shortly after she popped into the world her mother, Angel Wings, died of colic. Pixie Dust was taken away from the wild herd on Assateague and raised on a nearby farm. This was the first day she was introduced to the other yearlings of the wild herd. So far, they were rejecting her: chasing her away from their hay piles, snubbing her when she approached, and several times, kicking and biting at her. Veteran herd-watchers were sure they would accept her eventually, once they were released from this corral where they were all waiting for a visit from the vet, and let loose on the reserve. City Science Kids is rooting for Pixie Dust!!

We'll have more news soon about the ponies of Chincoteague. Stay Tuned!

Happy Spring Break!

City Science Kids is in Chincoteague, VA, an island hop away from the Assateague nature preserve, where the wild equines roam (locals call them ponies, even though technically, they're horses)! We'll have more to report soon but meanwhile, here's a photo of the stallion, Riptide. On Monday, he broke out of the island's fenced horse habitation with his band of four mares in tow, including his dam, Surf Queen. When we stumbled on them, rangers were leading the band down the main beach road and back into the enclosure.

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!

Hyacinth Hurrah!

The blooms go marching two by two...