Happy birthday Dr. Seuss! Everybody has a favorite book-- "The Cat in the Hat,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas," “Green Eggs and Ham", or others, and he continued to write until his death on September 24, 1991. His legacy lives on as his beloved children’s books continue to sell well and inspire young people to read. In 1997, the National Education Association chose his birthday, March 2, to celebrate reading and the first Read Across America Day was held the next year in 1998.
What do Dr. Seuss and the Quirkles’ Zany Science Zeke have in common? They both tout an amazing substance known as a polymer. Seuss’s “Oobleck” and the Quirkles “Zop” are classic science experiments that start out as a liquid. After being squeezed, the polymer will form into a hard ball (solid). Open your hand, and the substance changes back to liquid.
Now go beyond this tried and true activity to learn more about polymers. This month we offer you Zany Zeke’s Bubble Slime (More Quirkles Experiments) with a twist on the name we think Dr. Seuss would like. Check out our video where we do a variation we call Fliz Floz. Some liquid starch, glue gel, a little food coloring, and a touch of glitter is all you need for some fun science!
So celebrate Dr. Seuss’s March birthday month by reading Bartholomew and the Oobleck, where a gooey green substance falls from the sky and wreaks havoc. Then follow up with Zany Science Zeke/More Quirkles Experiments to learn more about polymers and other lessons about states of matter. Through all the activities you will discover how amazing the world of science can be!
Want even more experiments and videos? Go to the News and Resources tab and then Recent News/Archives. Happy learning!
Posted: March 1, 2023
3/1/23
March is the month of Dr. Seuss's birthday! To celebrate we look at polymers. Dr. Seuss had "Ooblek" and we offer "Zop" and "Fliz Floz."
1/3/23
While Bubbly Burt didn’t make the final 26 Quirkles cut, he’s still near and dear to our heart. After all, there’s a lot to be learned from bubbles! While this activity is not in any of our books, it’s a great one. Also use your bubble mixture to try Lindy Light’s Color Spectrum or Ellie Electricity’s Static Balloon Investigation. Both of these activities are found in the More Quirkles Experiment book.
12/2/22
Help! Santa’s eaten too much Thanksgiving dinner and now needs help to get down the chimney. Pressure Pete to the rescue!
Colorful Caroline’s Exploding Color
10/31/22
November is the month we pause to give thanks. It’s also a month of food! And food and science go hand in hand. Check out our video where milk and food coloring make for a fun kitchen science activity.
