Embracing the Polar Vortex

Here in Michigan, we are now onto week 3 of living inside of the Polar Vortex.  Today marks the 9th snow day of the year for most of our students, temperatures dip to -20 degrees with the windchill, and we have set a record for the snowiest January in Michigan history.  As frustrating and disruptive as the weather has been already, we have tried to let go of the things that are outside of our control and make the most of it.  Since it is too cold to actually go OUTSIDE and enjoy the snow, we have found as many things to celebrate the weather on the INSIDE.

1. Snowman Paintings
Using paint always makes me a little nervous as it is often a catalyst for large messes, but after covering every surface in butcher paper, we were ready to paint!

First, students painted their background using blue and purple watercolors.  We set them aside to try.  While they were drying, we decorated our snowmen.  Artists had the option to use a pre-made outline, or design one entirely on their own.  Once the snowpeople were cut out, we used Sharpie markers to paint a horizon or background scene on our watercolor, glued the main characters on, and threw in a little glitter for good measure!  They turned out beautifully :)

 2. Paper Snowflakes and Mini-lesson
If you made it through elementary school, chances are you have made a paper snowflake, or a whole blizzard of them.  The fact that you're not introducing new material doesn't take away from a child's excitement as they unfold the paper they have carefully snipped for 20 minutes to reveal an intricate snowflake.  To extend the learning here, we shared some video clips to the students on both weather and snow.

Hanging up our creations in the hallway

Here are a few good findings from the internet:

Every paper snowflake template imaginable
http://www.papersnowflakes.com/


BrainPOP: Free video about snowflakes
http://www.brainpop.com/science/weather/snowflakes/

Wax Resist Snowflake Paintings
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/lesson-plans-grades-3-5/62295-watercolor-painting-winter-snowflake-and-snow-globe/

 3. Melting Snowman Cookies
Typically, we don't allow the children to eat unhealthy treats in the Learning Lab, but once in awhile we indulge.  The inspiration for these cookies was passed along to me and we can't wait to try them on our "Fun Friday".


Ingredients:
1 tube sugar cookie dough
1 bag large marshmallows
2 containers white frosting (or you could make royal icing)
Assorted colored frosting in tubes

Steps:
1.Roll out the cookie dough on a lightly floured surface until it is 1/4 inch thick.
2. Using a glass or biscuit cutter, cut out round cookies about 3 inches in diameter. Bake on a parchment lined cookie sheet according to package instructions.
3. Once cookies have cooled, spread frosting over the entire surface.
4. Spray a microwave-safe plate with non-stick spray and rest marshmallows on top.  Microwave marshmallows for 10-15 seconds. Watch closely, you don't want them to double in size!
5. Push marshmallow into frosting.  Decorate with assorted frostings to create your perfect snowman.  Yum!

Engineering Club with General Motors

At the Learning Lab, we are in the process of launching several enrichment clubs to introduce our students to a wide variety of possible interests, knowledge, and career paths.  Yesterday, we were able to get our highly anticipated Engineering Club off the ground.  Through a wonderful partnership with volunteers from the General Motors Powertrain plant here in Pontiac, we designed an 8 week curriculum to engage students in the process of designing structures with a purpose in mind, building small cars, playing with circuits, and collaborating to create the best model possible.  Their workshop will even end with a trip to the plant for a tour.  This week was all about exposing students to a variety of building activities and what it means to be an "engineer."  It is always awesome to see people sharing their gifts with young people and watching new passions ignite!

The Engineering Club members of Baldwin

Here is a full sampling of pictures and activities.

Interested in trying some simple building activities at home or in your after school program?  Here is a round up of some tried and true plans.

1. This link includes several activities using toothpicks and marshmallows, material lists and academic standards addressed

http://smartkids.sc/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/sciolympiadset2.pdf  

2. This Ted talk lists some interesting ideas for how building marshmallow towers correlates with teamwork. Great to show to students before building.

http://www.ted.com/talks/tom_wujec_build_a_tower.html

3. A Youtube video demonstrating how to introduce basic engineering principles to students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6FmrOS72EA

4. PBS Kids provides a link to over 10 engineering lesson plans geared towards elementary students. 

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/educator/act_index.html

Green Smoothies

Our Buildable Snack this week was a real crowd pleaser: Green Smoothies!  We were planning on using fresh spinach from our hoop house, but unfortunately, even the greenhouse cannot withstand the sub-zero temperatures.  Frostbitten spinach couldn't hold the students back from blending up their own vitamin-packed concoctions. After perusing some different options online, we came up with these two favorites, yum!  At first, the students were a little apprehensive about trying the Grinch-hued drinks, but it was love at first sip.  To try these frosty delights at home, click the recipe for Peach Strawberry Refreshers here.

Green smoothie mustache :)

Can't get enough of the smoothies? Try these recipes and tips from Real Simple.

Hurray for a Snow Day!

After a week off of Program due to the Artic Vortex here in Pontiac, it was nice to have a snow day WITH students this past Friday.  The weather warmed up to 28 degrees (downright tropical), so we were finally able to go outside.  Kids had a great time building snowmen, whooshing down the ice-covered slide, and tossing a few snowballs at the unsuspecting adults.  Winter can definitely get in the way sometimes, but it can also be a catalyst for childhood delight.  Just check out the photo evidence if you don't believe us.

What do you do to make the most out of the cold weather?

It doesn't get much more joyful than this.

The snow wasn't the best for packing, but we made the most of it. Jeff even added pine boughs for eyelashes.

Veggie Dip Two Ways

Healthy eating and teaching our kids how to play an active role in the process, is a paramount value in the Learning Lab.  Each week, our students are trying out new recipes in the kitchen as part of Buildable Snack Workshops and Cooking Club. The goal is to make healthy foods approachable, by using simple recipes and reformatting old favorites.  These two veggie dips were a big hit with students and adults alike.

For Creamy Garlic Herb Dip and Greek Yogurt and Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip click here.

One focused, little chef

Cooking Vocabulary of the Day: Zest

2 different, equally delicious dips for snack