Sunday, February 14, 2010

Amazement Square (again) and Civil Rights

15 January 2010 - We ventured back to Amazement Square in Lynchburg, VA this time with our History Group and to focus on Civil Rights. Amazement Square is a four story building near the James River.  In the center is this amazing climbing structure.  The entrance is on the second floor.  Kids can climb down to the first or up to the fourth without using the stairs (which are amazing in themselves) or the elevator (which opens on both sides.

 
A new exhibit that opened up since we were there last time is one on accessibility.  The guide talked to us about various disabilities and the tools used to help people with those disabilities.

 
The kids got to try on different goggles that demonstrated what it was like to have different vision impairments. There was a children's book in braille and a braille machine.  They also talked about hearing imparements. 

There was a wall with different smells and another wall with different textures.  There was a short bowling alley with a device to help aim the ball.
 
Athletic wheelchairs were tried out to experience wheelchair basketball.  What are the rules about dribbling and carrying the ball?

 
Then we went upstairs to a classroom where the teacher talked to us about significant people in Virginia history.

 
Everyone listened intently.  Everyone had a chance to participate.  The rocket ship was an outline of important people and times in Virginia history.
 
C., C., D. & J. were in the part about native residents in Virginia and the early settlers.  J. & D. are holding early boats.

 
J., B., D. and K. participated in talking about the Revolutionary War in Virginia and significant Virginians.
  
J. had a revolutionary war soldier. B. had George Washington and D. is holding the Declaration of Independence 

 
This group talked about the Civil War and Reconstruction.  C. has the Emancipation Proclamation. R. got to be Abraham Lincoln.

 
R. as A. Lincoln

 
This group talked more about reconstruction and what happened afterwards.  One person they mentioned was a Maggie _____________ who started a separate bank for freed slaves in Virginia who otherwise could not get a bank loan.

 
The last person they talked about was Arthur Ashe and his experiences as a black athlete breaking the race barrier in tennis.

 
Here are a few view of the incredible climbing structure.  The elevator and stairs run near the structure and cameras are strategically placed so parents can check to see where their kids are in the structure.

 
B.

 
  
  
  
There are tubes to slide down, ladders to climb up and even a zip line.

The zip line cleverly pulls itself back with the help of a weight.

Other exhibits included - heart health and exercise
 
A model of the James River and

 
working models of locks with wooden boats the kids can float on the water.

 
C. and J. Completing electric circuits.

 
D. & J. doing experiments with ping pong balls and forces.

 
Nintendo rock band.

 
A glass room to paint on the walls in.

 
The awesome stairs light up as people step on them (and break the electric light beam). The climbing structure is to the left.

 
The newest member of our homeschool group in the arms of our senior homeschool person.

 
Group photo in the lobby of Amazement Square.  The panels list donors and they are actually on buttons, one letter per button, that can be pushed in to create patterns and shadows.  When done there are handles to the side to pull out and make everything level again.
It was a nice enough day to picnic outside (if you sat in the sunshine - it is January).   

Acids and Bases

12 January 2010 - Did you know if you take some purple cabbage and boil it with water (a few minutes in the  microwave) and save the juice you don't need those little papers that turn pink or purple for testing acids and bases.

 
So here we have diluted lemon juice on the left, water in the middle, baking soda in water and on the right is the purple cabbage juice.  Lemon juice is an acid and baking soda is a base so this should show which way the colors go.


As you can see, acids turn pinkish and bases turn bluish. It said to add just a couple of drops, but they came out pale so we added more drops of the cabbage juice to help the colors stand out more.  

 
We tried a few more liquids to see if they were acids or bases.  On the acid side was apple juice and vinegar.

 
Another base was dish soap.  the purple is water.


Here is the full color spectrum of the Ph testing.  Bases can be added to acids until the color reverses.  It is entertaining to watch and see what kind of concoctions you can make and what color they will be.

Russia and Faberge Eggs

January 7 2010 we read about the last Czar of Russia Nicholas II and his family and their demise, and learned a little about Faberge Eggs while we were at it. Here is our attempt at fancy eggs:
 
The egg in the middle is a real egg, whereas the two on the sides are plastic Easter Eggs.


J.'s egg
 
B.'s egg


One view.


J.'s baby picture.


B.'s baby picture


View from the top.  The "jewels" are stick on gems from our local hobby store.


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