Gneiss {InstaScience}

[Photo Credit - Siim Sepp, used with permission under Creative Commons] As I write this, I have just finished another set of outlines for volume 5 in the Sassafras Science series. This one is all about geology, in other words, volcanoes, earthquakes, and rocks. One of the rocks that really caught my eye this time around was gneiss and I thought that I would share about it with you all this … [Read more...]

Lilacs {InstaScience}

We have this incredibly huge lilac bush in the back of our property. We estimate that it is over 80 years old. And every spring it is literally covered in sweet smelling blooms. It’s akin to something you would find in a novel and definitely something we look forward to year after year. The lilac is a bush that is typically grown for its beauty and smell as well as its ability to offer shade … [Read more...]

Tulips {InstaScience}

Spring is in the air! Flowers are blooming and bees are buzzing! One of my favorite parts of spring are the bounty of blooms that are popping, brightening the landscape with their color. And the tulip is the queen of these spring flowers! Tulips bloom between March and May and they hold the spot of the most sought after spring flowers. These plants are part of a group of bulb flowers, … [Read more...]

Iridescent Clouds {InstaScience}

Iridescent, a.k.a. rainbow, clouds are a beautiful phenomenon often seen during the winter months. The rainbow forms as ice crystals in the cloud cause the light to be split, just like a prism would. Fun Fact - The term iridescent comes from the Greek goddess, Iris, who was the personification of a rainbow. Follow Elemental Science on Instagram Teaching Science at Home Want to learn more about … [Read more...]

Snow {InstaScience}

December was so warm for us this winter that I was sure that we wouldn't get very much snow this year. Well, apparently Old Man Winter changed his mind! In the last three weeks we have had several snow storms. So, I thought that it was about time for me to share about snow! Snow forms by a process of deposition, which means that water vapor in the high in the atmosphere changes directly into … [Read more...]

Turkey Tail {InstaScience}

I’ll be honest, I know what shelf fungus is, but until we starting doing nature study in our our homeschool, I never really considered that there were different types of shelf fungus. Oh sure, I had noticed differences, but we never really thought to find out why. You may feel the same way and it’s cool, I understand. But, let me tell you there is an awesome variety of shelf fungi out there. … [Read more...]