Chemistry class!

 I have been teaching a Chemistry class for high school students.  I have ten - 10th and 11th grade students.

A few of our laboratory experiments from the last few weeks.  

 Dilution to visible extinction:

 Filtering and separating compounds

 Goggles required!

 What chemistry teacher's oven doesn't have beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks in it?

I like to call this one candy corn in honor of Halloween

We combined acetone, water and sodium chloride to make this 3 phase display.

JPL - Jet Propulsion Laboratory Tour

Jet Propulsion Laboratory ( JPL)

 Such a mysterious and fascinating place.

I have always wanted to see what happens here and after living in Pasadena for 15 years, I finally got the chance.

Our homeschool group from CA church went together to tour the 

 This was the entrance to the clean room you see below.

We were able to observe the scientists assembling parts for a satellite that would launch in 2014.

The satellite will measure and map Earth's soil moisture.

SMAP assembly taking place before our eyes.

We had a closeup view of the Mars Curiosity Rover built right here at JPL and launched in 2011.

 This is Mission Control ( not Houston ) for manned space missions but for all other satellite monitoring around the world. 

A few late posts on our school year - WK 4- Show on the road.

There is something so sweet and special about hitting the road with just one child in tow. It's like a date night with the hubby. You get to sit across, hold hands and finish whole conversations with someone you love dearly. 

Everett was the chosen child, mainly because as his golden 9th birthday surprise, he got to spend a weekend with his godparents in Atlanta, GA.

Fortunately, the Sandel kids are homeschooled as well so we didn't miss a beat. We took our studies on the road and made up the fun as we went. Puppet shows daily, a lego class, and a birthday party for Jilly- all in one weekend.  

He ride in style in our convertible Mustang.

My bestie, Beverly !

 School with friends.

 Janie and Everett peek form behind the curtain.

Jilly, Joey and Everett have fun with clay on a beautiful fall day.