Here we go again. Another school year has rolled around. New students, new routines, new beginnings. Here’s our science challenge to you: DO science. We recently came across a quote we really like from venspired.com. It says, “Expecting a kid to learn only from a textbook is like asking them to look at a travel brochure and calling it a vacation.” So don’t just read science, have your students DO science. You’ll have more engaged students and they will learn while having fun.

But that’s too hard or time consuming you say? We’ve made it easy. Read the Quirkles® stories to teach the science concepts. Then try the experiments/activities we’ve provided in the books, Quirkles Teacher Guide, or More Quirkles Experiments book.

As an alphabet series, many begin their Quirkles year with Andy Acid and progress through the alphabet. That is absolutely fine. There is no set order to teach the Quirkles as each book is a stand- alone lesson. However, when we teach the Quirkles, we usually begin with Inquisitive Inman. This story centers on learning what a scientist does and the science process skills.

The very first activity we do?  We love to start with Inquisitive Inman’s Water Mystery. Talk about the “wow” factor. Kids love this! What a fun way to learn about the power of observation, solids and liquids and polymers too!

Best of luck as you head into your new school year. We’ll look forward to helping you have the best science year ever!

Keeping the kiddos entertained during these days of summer can create pressure. But the fact is, we are all under pressure, 14.7 pounds per square inch, to be exact! Yes, air is all around us and air pressure is an important science concept to learn about!

Atmospheric pressure is an indicator of weather. When a low-pressure system moves in, it usually leads to cloudiness, wind, and precipitation. High-pressure systems usually lead to fair, calm weather.

Have you ever made a trip to the mountains? If your ears popped, it was because they were trying to balance the pressure between the outside and inside of your ear. Atmospheric pressure drops as altitude increases. The atmospheric pressure on Denali, Alaska, is about half that of Honolulu, Hawaii. Honolulu is a city at sea level. Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, is the highest peak in North America. 

If you’ve flown on an airplane, the aircraft created artificial pressure in the cabin so you remain comfortable while flying high in the sky.

Now that you’ve paused to think about how important air pressure really is, read the Quirkles book Pressure Pete and then check out Pressure Pete’s Upside Down Water Bottle to learn more. Or try Pressure Pete's Vacuum and watch how the balloon is sucked into a wide-mouthed jar.

Finally, here's a reminder that you can read Pressure Pete, or any of the other Quirkles books, in Spanish if you subscribe to our  Spanish e-book library. Whether it’s Pressure Pete or Pedro Presión, there’s plenty to learn about air pressure!

Great scientists have to have good observation skills. We know that is one of the science process skills. Here's a fun way to test the power of observation and to learn about polymers too.

Feel like you’re under pressure? Well, you are—14.7 pounds per square inch to be exact. Air is all around us and air pressure is an important science concept!