Heart To Heart

Could SciGirls be any more fun?!  Everyone had a blast today at our second meeting of the year.

 Class started promptly at 10, with a viewing of SciGirls episode "Horsing Around."  They followed the girls as they visited an equine center and a horse stable (A local one - Windy Ridge!).  They experimented with the horses to determine which horse would be the best to compete in a contest.  The girls worked together to create an experiment to test gait and length of stride.

Since we were on the subject of moving and testing bodies, we learned a little bit about the human heart.  The girls tested their resting heart rates, recorded their data, and then used their supplies to make a stethoscope.  Each group was given duct tape, plastic tubing, and a water bottle.  The challenge:  Design and create a stethoscope.  It was interesting to watch the girls collaborate together to create their real, working designs!

Once that was done, the girls received another challenge.  The challenge was to  create, implement, record, and present experiments using hula hoops, jump ropes, or their own bodies.  One group brought their heart rates up and timed how long it took to get back to their resting heart rates.  Another calculated the difference between their resting heart rates and active rates.  No two experiments were the same!  They did a great job with their research and data collection.  

After lunch, we introduced two student scientists from the U of M!

Rich and Kaitlyn from the U of M brought a life sized Operation Game to class!  It was so cool!  The girls got to try their hand at "operating" on the fellow. Rich explained what each of the medical devices were used for, as the girls pulled them out.  They got to see so many cool things!  Kaitlyn showed the girls a few more medical devices, and let the girls try their had at picking up candy using a device used for biopsies.  Pretty cool!  

Here are a few additional pictures from our day:

Housekeeping:

I've heard from a few moms, that their girls have been wearing their SciGirls shirts morning, noon, and night.   Here's a link to purchase additional tee shirts if their shirts become worn out. :)