When our older girls were first year Brownies, they earned the Home Scientist badge. The other troop leader and I conducted the experiments during our time together in our typical meeting place. Prior to the meeting, we selected one experiment to do for each of the five badge steps. After reciting the Girl Scout Promise and saying the Pledge of Allegiance, we completed these experiments, finishing early. Knowing we had extra time, the girls asked to try some of the other experiments. Thankfully we had many of the supplies on hand, and we only had to purchase a few items for the experiments chosen. For us, this was a relatively inexpensive and easy badge to earn.
Last week, our younger girls had the opportunity to earn this badge. I decided to change it up since the older girls would also be in attendance. It was a fun meeting, so I thought I would share our ideas here. Please note that we finished all the activities listed in this post in about an hour. We spent the remaining time decorating more cards for veterans and their families at the Fisher House.
STEP 1: Be a kitchen chemist.
Growing rock candy is one of the choices provided to complete this step. Since we performed this experiment the first time around, I decided to use rock candy as a springboard for discussion.
Here is the information I presented our girls (ages 8 to 11):
- Sugar comes from sugar cane or sugar beets.
- There are many different forms of sugar: powdered sugar, granulated sugar, sugar cubes, rock candy, liquid sugar (simple syrup). I showed the girls samples and explained that certain recipes call for sugar in a specific form. Substituting a different form of sugar may not produce the desired result.
- Another name for sugar is sucrose.
- Sucrose is made by combining glucose and fructose (simple sugars found in fruit).
- Since sucrose is made by adding other sugars together, it is a complex sugar.
- The simple sugar glucose is comprised of 6 carbon atoms, 6 oxygen atoms, and 12 hydrogen atoms.
- Because glucose contains carbon, it is an organic compound.
- Organic compounds are necessary for life, and many of our foods are comprised of organic compounds.
- Cells use organic compounds to produce energy.
After this brief lesson, our girls built sugar molecules (glucose), using gumdrops and toothpicks. I discovered this activity in the booklet for my daughter's Candy Chemistry set. Due to limitations on the use of copywrited works, I used a molecular model set to illustrate the steps instead of posting the picture from the booklet.
Prior to the meeting, I sorted gumdrops by color and placed 6 of one color, 6 of a second color, and 12 of a third color in a plastic baggie for each girl.
The letters C (carbon), O (oxygen), and H (hydrogen) were written on mini post-it notes. The girls sorted their gumdrops into piles and labeled the piles using these post-its. This is highly recommended since they will all be working with different colored candies.
Step 1:
Begin by connecting 5 carbon atoms with one oxygen atom in a hexagonal arrangement.
Step 2:
Starting at the red (in this case) oxygen atom, move one carbon atom to the left. Connect the 6th carbon atom here.
NOTE: In successive steps, I will instruct you to begin at this (red) oxygen atom.
Step 3:
Working off to the side, connect each of the five remaining oxygen atoms with one hydrogen atom to form hydroxl groups. Please excuse this picture because I accidentally included six hydroxl groups.
Stick a toothpick in each of the six remaining gumdrops representing hydrogen.
Step 4:
Turn your molecule so the (red) oxygen atom is at the top (away from you). Move one carbon atom to the left in the hexagon and attach one hydrogen atom. Then move to the carbon atom added in Step 2 and connect one hydroxl group and two hydrogen atoms.
Step 5:
Moving to the next carbon atom in your hexagon, attach one hydroxl group and one hydrogen atom to the carbon atom. Repeat for the next three carbon atoms, each one receiving a hydroxl group and a hydrogen.
While this lesson is quite advanced for kids this age, our girls seemed to grasp the concepts. The younger girls needed a little assistance building their models, but the older girls managed without too much trouble. When questions were asked during this time, we made sure the girls turned the model so the oxygen atom was at the top (Step 1 above). Directing them from that point seemed easiest for us.
STEP 2: Create static electricity.
We made pepper dance and talked about how it works, using the badge booklet as a guide.
STEP 3: Dive into density.
We made raisins dance. Once again, we talked about what happens, using the badge booklet as a guide.
STEP 4: Make something bubble up.
The soda geyser is always a favorite! We've done it twice with our troop, and I know a couple of science teachers do it for the science classes at school.
My older daughter received a volcano kit for Christmas one year. She had fun building it, and making it erupt by combining vinegar and baking soda. We incorporated a volcanic eruption into our Home Scientist badge steps.
STEP 5: Play with science.
A couple years ago, a family member gave my younger daughter a Snap Circuits Jr. Kit.
She built a circuit for this meeting. When the circuit was closed, a light would shine brightly. We related this concept to the Girl Scout Friendship Squeeze. If we all hold hands, and I start the squeeze, it will be passed around the circle and return to me. This is an example of a closed circuit. If I start the squeeze and our coleader drops someone's hand, the squeeze will stop at her. The circuit is not closed. Many of the girls had learned about circuits at school, so this was a good review. This simple demonstration helped illustrate this concept for the girls who have not yet learned about circuits.
While flipping through the Candy Chemistry handbook, I came across an idea for candy circuit boards. Prior to the meeting, I spread green frosting over the top of graham crackers. We provided chocolate bars, peanut butter squares, gumdrops, mini peanut butter cups, gumdrops, Necco wafers, Life Savers, and Pull 'n' Peel Twizzlers. Our girls had so much fun constructing their boards, using the picture from the Candy Chemistry handbook as a guide.
Whether you schedule a Home Scientist badge program through a local museum, or guide the girls through the steps in the booklet, or try something outside the box, this is a really fun badge to help your girls earn. Thank you for reading!
Earlier this summer, I was considering programming options for our younger girls who were beginning their second year as Brownies. I came across the Inventor Badge program offered by Drake Planetarium which is located at Norwood High School in Cincinnati. Here is the course description as printed on page 33 of our Council's 2014-2015 Program Events publication:
"Building with Legos and other materials can ignite the imagination and creativity of your 2nd or 3rd grader. Your girls will invent and then build a myriad of models that will bring invention to life and get them thinking like inventors and engineers, and show how invention improves people's lives. Girls will brainstorm, design, build, test, evaluate, and redesign and then share their solution. Girls will earn the Inventor Badge during this workshop. This program is held at Drake Planetarium and Science Center on the third Monday and Tuesday of each month (except on holidays). Start time is at 6:00pm and each badge program is 1 hour. Many of our groups choose to sign up for two badge programs on the same day in which case the program time is 6:00-8:00pm. This workshop can also come to your site if you have at least 20 participants."
Two badge programs in one evening? Fantastic! I then read the description of their Home Scientist badge program, decided this was the pairing for us, and called to get a date on the calendar. I will admit there were scheduling issues on our end that required me to change the date twice, but I had booked a couple months in advance and gave plenty of notice when switching dates. When scheduling, I
was in communication with two different individuals via email and telephone. Unfortunately, they presented
conflicting information when answering my questions. Originally I was told the cost is $5/girl per program, but we had to have at least 15 girls (which would be $150 for both programs). We were encouraged to bring friends, neighbors, and siblings since our group was smaller than the minimum. I was then told "the cost for the Inventors/Scientists Badge is $125, and this covers
up to 25 admissions. A $50.00 deposit is required to hold the
reservation, and this deposit can be paid with a credit card or a check." I soon learned the $125 for 25 admissions was the cost of one program. A few weeks prior to our scheduled date, I was contacted by a Drake staff member and asked for permission to schedule another Brownie troop for the first of the two programs. I agreed. When I asked about our balance, I was told I would receive a call with that information.
As the date approached, I called twice to inquire about our balance since the other troop's attendance would potentially affect our program costs. I was not able to talk with the person in charge for one reason or another, and I never received a return call. Even after attending the program, I still don't feel like I have correct pricing information to share here.
The day before we were scheduled to visit Drake Planetarium, I called to confirm our reservations, and I spoke with the program instructor. She instructed us to park on the street near the school, and she provided directions to the lab. She spoke passionately about the topics of study. During our conversation, I explained that I had Junior Girl Scouts attending this Brownie badge program. Though these older girls had already earned the Home Scientist badge, they were going to participate with the younger girls for fun. Upon hearing this, the instructor strongly suggested we change the agenda, substituting a visit to the planetarium for the second portion of the program. She told me it would be easy to do the Home Scientist badge at home, and the girls could earn the Astronomer badge at the Planetarium. I hesitated because I was unfamiliar with this badge. Additionally, one major reason I chose this program was so I didn't have to be responsible for the badge activities. After some additional thought, I agreed to change our plans. I was then asked to send an email providing the badge steps the girls would need to complete to earn the Inventor and Astronomy badges. This was odd to me since we were paying the Planetarium for an activity they advertised they were prepared to host, and what was she planning to do if I hadn't called her? But I did as requested. A quick Google search revealed the Astronomer (Sky Search) badge had been retired, but I was able to find a list of the badge requirements. Though it meant spending more money, I also decided to order a planetarium fun patch for the girls.
Upon our arrival at the high school, I was discouraged because the entrance to the lab was not labeled as was described to me. As we asked students for directions, an assistant staff member located us and led our group to the lab. When we entered the room, there was no official welcome or greeting. The girls were instructed to find a seat at a table, and the instructor commented on our tardiness. We were five minutes late because we couldn't find the lab.
Envelopes containing pieces of paper labeled with vocabulary words associated with the Design Process were distributed. The girls had to place the words in the correct order on a diagram. No context was provided, and our girls were completely confused. The program is intended for 2nd and 3rd graders, yet our 5th grade girls were struggling with this activity.
This Design Process discussion led into the model building segment of the program. Each girl was given three cardboard rectangles, a couple of brads, a piece of string, small segments of a drinking straw, and tape. After an awkward conversation about muscles and their attachments in the lower arm, the girls were asked to design a model of a robotic arm using the materials they had been given. They were told there was no "right" way to do this, but we soon discovered there obviously was. This just added to everyone's frustration. We spent the rest of the time fiddling with the cardboard arm. Where were the Legos? Where was the "myriad of models"? Where were the five badge steps?
We could possibly say the Design Process vocabulary exercise satisfied Step 2 for the Inventor badge (find lots of ways to solve the same problem), but that is a huge stretch. The girls had not earned their badge. Though we were all disappointed with the first hour, we were looking forward to the program in the Planetarium.
We walked from the lab to the planetarium, and our girls needed a bathroom break. Once we settled into our seats, the instructor covered many of the Sky Search badge requirements. The girls seemed to be having fun locating planets and constellations in the night sky. This presentation lasted about twenty minutes, and then the instructor turned on a video. Though the film was full of information, the girls thought it was boring because the characters were unrealistic and "cheezy." I don't disagree. Once the video ended, the instructor said, "Thank you," and we were ushered out the door at 7:55pm.
We were terribly disappointed with the entire evening. The instructor's personality throughout the evening was abrasive. Her interactions
with the kids and teaching style
did not foster a rich learning environment. There were so many red flags leading up to the event. I now wish we had tackled these badges during a regular meeting and saved the money. It upsets me to have to write a negative review. If I'm not going to be honest, I shouldn't be publishing anything. By sharing our notes from this experience, I hope other troops will think twice before booking programs at Drake Planetarium.
Our girls will be drawing in December. I hope you check back soon. Wishing all of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
At the end of the 2014-2015 school year, the girls in our troop participated in Early Bird Registration. I was really excited that all of our girls wanted to return for another year of Girl Scouts--our sixth year together! We also welcomed two new girls into our blended troop, giving us six Juniors and five Brownies this year.
As usual, we took a break from troop meetings and activities over the summer. Three of the girls from our troop attended a Girl Scout Summer Resident Camp together. Despite some strong storms, it sounds like they had a blast during their week at camp!
As families geared up for the return to school, I touched base with troop members. I learned a lot had changed for some of our girls between June and August. One family moved to a nearby town, another girl was losing interest in Girl Scouts, and many of the girls planned to participate in other extracurricular activities which placed a greater demand on their time. Some changes needed to be made to retain our membership. Instead of meeting twice a month as we have in the past, we are going to have one activity a month this year. Most of these activities are going to be outings or events. After sharing this new plan with the families, they all agreed to continue. I'm so happy we will not be losing any of our girls this year.
Here is a snapshot of our calendar:
- Bake Sale at our school's Open House
- S'mores Fest
- Tour at Neusole Glassworks
- Home Scientist and Inventor Badge programs for the Brownies at Drake Planetarium
- Drawing Badge for the Juniors with Young Rembrandts
- Family Story Badge and Art Show
- Service Project: Make cards and fill mason jars with candy and paper flowers for Veterans and their families at the Fisher House
- Gardener Badge for Juniors at Civic Garden Center
- Geology Program at the Cincinnati Nature Center
- Service Project: Plant garden at Fisher House
- Bridging Ceremony
My blog posts will consist of reviews of the programs and events we attend this year. I think we're going to have a lot of fun! Hope you check back with us soon.
