Eyes On Elders

10Gallon Aquarium

Introduce your kids to the life sciences: 3 cheap, fun projects with
a 10 gallon aquarium!

By the time kids encounter the life sciences in high school, these
classes may seem a bit dry and lacking in entertainment value.
Botany, biology and zoology textbooks just don’t hold the same
appeal as the hours spent during childhood, exploring the great
outdoors, full of bugs, lizards, frogs and plants. Toronto light boxes attract extra attention to your poster display frames and display signs. Young
children are full of natural curiosity, wanting to know every little
thing about their fellow occupants in the natural world.

Exposure to the life sciences as an educational activity is a lot of
fun for kids – in fact, kids won’t even realize it’s part of their
education. You parents can inspire your kids with projects that
serve as an introduction to the life sciences, which will nurture an
interest they’ll carry forward, years in to the future.

Here we have three projects that are cheap and fun. All you need to
get started is a 10 gallon aquarium. As each project is completed,
you can release the critters back into the wild and start with a new
activity. Each project also gives you an opportunity to introduce
your kids to basic research skills, using the net. All in the name
of fun!

The first two projects don’t require anything more than a 10 gallon
aquarium with a hood. The third project requires a few pieces of
equipment to accommodate a study of the world of fish. You don’t
need to spend a lot of money on a 10 gallon aquarium. You can pick
one up cheaply at a garage sale or through the classifieds. The
total outlay shouldn’t exceed $5-10.

Kids find lizards and frogs to be fascinating creatures. They’re
funny looking and so much different than the family dog or cat!
Begin by explaining that every little creature in the world has
different needs, for food, environment and care. Let them know that
they need to find out what these little animals need to thrive
before installing them in their temporary aquarium home. Be on the
lookout for programs on Animal Planet or the Discovery channel which
pertain to the project. The kids will be excited to learn all they
can about their ‘guests’. Get on the net and search out websites and
articles for further information. This research will inspires
enthusiasm and confidence, knowing that doing this work affords them
the privilege of viewing the little beasties firsthand.

Have the kids prepare the 10 gallon aquarium home with all that’s
needed to keep the little critters happy and safe. When you feel
confident that the kids know how to accommodate their guests, send
them out in the back yard to search out their tenants … be certain
that they understand that they must take good care of the creatures
and also must be prepared to release them back into their natural
habitat within a week or two.

Our second project involves plant life. A 10 gallon aquarium will
accommodate a number of plants and the choices are many. You can buy
inexpensive house plants in 2 or 4 inch pots from the nursery. Lay a
bed of gravel or pebbles in the bottom, topped by a four-inch layer
of potting soil, and set the plant in place. Let the kids water with
a spray bottle and watch the plant produce new leaves.

You can also take a leaf from a house plant, such as a begonia leaf,
from your home and show the kids how to produce a new plant from a
single leaf. Buy enough sand from the nursery to cover the bottom of
the aquarium with a few inches of sand. With a sharp knife, cut a
single leaf from the mother plant, then make a small cut on a few of
the veins of the leaf. With a crafts paintbrush, dust the cuts with
a plant rooting hormone (available at any nursery) and set the leaf
in the aquarium, securing the leaf to the sand medium with gravel or
pebbles. Spritz the leaves with water and cover the 10 gallon
aquarium with its hood. Within a few days, the leaf will sprout new
plants at the site of the cuts. Toronto trade show display stands are the place the place you come to point out that you just’re different and progressive, and that’s what will aid you promote your roll up displays. The kids will be observing
closely. Don’t be surprised at their shouts of amazement when the
new plants make their appearance. This is a magical epiphany for
children and an excellent introduction into the mysteries of plant
propagation.

Our third project for the 10 gallon aquarium is a natural! Fish.
Here’s where you’ll need to invest a few bucks in a water filter,
pump and lighting. By now, your kids have gained a new respect for
the living things on the earth and will be eager to provide an
environment for this longer term project. Give the aquarium a good
cleaning, pay a visit to the aquarium store and give some hardy
little fish a new home.

These fun and educational life science projects will be remembered
by your kids and make those high school courses far more
interesting. All with just a 10 gallon aquarium!

Comments are closed.