Science Mom: Static Tinsel Levitating Orb

I have decided to start doing science experiments with my daughter. She loves learning and doing crafts, so I knew they were going to be a huge hit. I searched online for easy experiments and came across Science Bob. This is a great site for basic experiments to do with kids. We decided to try the Static Tinsel Levitating Orb experiment.

Supplies
1-inch-wide PVC pipe about 24 inches long: You can also use a regular balloon if you do not have PVC pipe. I got my PVC pipe at Lowe's, which will cut your pipe for free.

Mylar tinsel for Christmas trees: There are many types of tinsel. You should look for the thinnest and narrowest possible. For the tinsel I used, I was just lucky and found it in one of my Christmas presents. But Science Bob also sells tinsel on its website.
A head of clean, dry hair
Scissors
Tape (optional)



Lay out six strings of tinsel, and tie one side of the tinsel into a knot. I found that if I took three strings and taped the ends together, and did the same with the other three strings, it was easier to tie the knot.




Repeat, and tie a knot on the other end of the tinsel, making an orb. Cut off any excess string on both ends.




Take your PVC pipe, and charge it up by rubbing it on the back of your hair or your child's. Virginia was not sure what I was doing to her. I told her that the PVC pipe is her magic wand.




By rubbing it in your hair, you are making static electricity.




Then take your PVC pipe, and drop the tinsel orb high above it. The orb should repel when it gets near the pipe. If it doesn't repel, then your tinsel is too thick. For me, I noticed that sometimes the orb would stick to my pipe. But if I dropped the orb high above the pipe, I got the best results. Virginia had a blast doing it.

How Does It Work?
It is all about static charges. Similar static charges repel each other. When you rub the pipe in your hair, you give the pipe a negative static charge. The orb is attracted to the pipe at first because the orb has a positive charge. As soon as the orb touches the pipe, it picks up a negative charge. Since the pipe is negative, and the tinsel orb is now negative, they repel each other, and the orb levitates! The orb will also take on more of a ball appearance when charged, since all the tinsel strands are repelling each other. Did you notice the orb is attracted to other objects around you — including you? That is because most objects (including you) have a positive charge. — Science Bob

Make It an Experiment!
The project above is a demonstration. To make it a true experiment, you can try to answer these questions:

1. Does the number of Mylar strands affect how well the orb levitates?
2. Do different materials (hair, fur, and wool) build up better static charges?
3. How long does the static charge last, and how can you make it last longer?
4. Do different widths of pipe affect the floating ability of the orb?

— Science Bob

Post submitted by Kathy from The Mommies Network's Content Team

National Book Month

For many of you who thought October was National Book Month, surprise! January is also known as the month to get your book on. And I'm not complaining. I don't mind another excuse to exercise my literary muscles, but research shows that a large portion of the 18–24-year-old American population doesn't read for pleasure (August 2010: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703846604575448093175758872.html).

That's a very sad number for the future of our youth. With the invention of eReaders, these numbers are starting to change, but we have our work cut out for us as parents. The best way to encourage a love of books and reading is to read with your children, and model the desired behavior by reading yourself. I know my house is littered with stacks of books, and both my young daughters have a bookshelf stacked with a plethora of age-appropriate books. But what if you aren't part of the avid reader population? What if you want to read more or expand your reading repertoire? National Book Month is a great time to discover an American writer!

One place to get reading ideas is the list of National Book Award winners. Every year since 1950, a book is selected from a genre: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young people's literature. Some of the winners include Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man," John Irving's "The World According to Garp," and "Cold Mountain" by Charles Frazier.

Another place to locate your next read would be your local library. Most have a display showcasing current hot topics or popular works. If you have a certain genre you prefer or an author you enjoy, your librarian can help you find another book that would fit your tastes. And what better way to celebrate National Book Month than to visit the library and show your support? Check out the bulletin board while you're there to find info on joining a book club. Book clubs offer another great option for expanding your reading list or jumping into reading for enjoyment. It's always more fun to discuss the book with someone or encourage each other to keep reading a little further if you experience a reading rut.

When in doubt though, start with the classics. William Faulkner, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Ernest Hemingway, Edgar Allan Poe, Edith Wharton, and John Steinbeck all offer something that is sure to get you started. Or if you prefer more modern literature, why not pick up that novel your daughter has been reading? There are some quick and exciting page turners in the young adult genre. It will give you something for the two of you to discuss and maybe even provide some insight as to the current trends and issues facing the youth of today.

Whatever your approach, use this opportunity to enjoy what American authors have to offer. Pick something that lets you escape from the stresses of life, and learn more about yourself through the eyes and life of another person. You might come away a more enriched person and then as a family, beat the statistics.

Post submitted by Amy from The Mommies Network's Content Team

National Oatmeal Month

Oatmeal is certainly a grain that needs some celebrating! It is touted to lower cholesterol, prevent and even cure constipation, dry up hives and rashes when added to bathwater, and provide long-lasting energy throughout the day when consumed for breakfast. In my opinion, this is a true superfood! I encourage you to add oats to your weekly diet and think of new ways to sneak it into your recipes.

According to Dr. Andrew Weil (http://www.drweil.com):

• Oats are sold in more forms than any other.
• All forms of oats are high in a kind of fiber called beta-glucan, which has special cholesterol-lowering properties; studies have shown that those with high cholesterol have lowered their total level by 8 to 23 percent simply by consuming 3 grams of this soluble fiber (the amount found in one bowl of oatmeal) per day.
• Oats have a higher fat content than other grains and can go rancid more easily as a result.
• These are the four basic types of oats:
  
  • Oat groats ("whole" oats) are the most intact form; only the outermost inedible hull is removed.
  • Steel-cut oats (also known as Irish or pinhead oats) are simply oat groats that have been cut into two or three pieces with steel blades, slightly decreasing their cooking time. Oat groats and steel-cut oats are the least processed. They take a long time to cook but result in a chewy, lower-glycemic treat.
  • Rolled oats are the result when oat groats are steamed, flattened, and dried. This is the form most people know. Though somewhat processed, rolled oats are still a whole grain. I don't recommend eating oats that have been processed any further than this, such as quick-cooking or instant oats. They are no longer whole, intact grains, and instant oatmeal packets often contain copious amounts of salt, sugar, and other additives.
• Oat bran—the finely ground meal of oat groats' bran layer—though not technically a whole grain, has the health benefits of one with its high fiber and low starch content. It makes a good addition to other foods, especially baked goods. Despite its short cooking time and smooth texture, it won't spike blood sugar levels, thanks to its soluble fiber.

Below is a fantastic recipe for busy families. Be sure to refrigerate your final product! Since they are made from fresh ingredients, they have a shelf life! (Side note: I add in a 1/4 cup of soy protein to up the protein content of each bar. However, you will need to had a touch more of milk or applesauce.) Enjoy!

Oatmeal On-the-Go Bars (makes 18 bars)
http://weelicious.com/2010/03/01/oatmeal-on-the-go-bars/

Ingredients
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups milk (any kind of milk — rice, almond, soy, cow's — will work)
3 tablespoons agave
1/2 cup applesauce
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, blueberries, and/or cherries)
1/2 cup nuts (walnuts, sunflower seeds, and/or pepitas)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Place the first five dry ingredients in a bowl, and stir to combine.
3. Mix the milk, applesauce, egg, agave, and vanilla in a separate bowl.
4. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stir to combine, and then stir in the dried fruits and nuts.
5. Pour the oatmeal mixture into a buttered or greased 7x11-inch baking dish.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until thickened and golden.
7. Cool, cut into squares, and serve.

*Allow to cool, cut into squares, and place in a Ziploc bag to freeze up to 4 months. When ready, allow to defrost in fridge for 24–48 hours.

*Refrigerating the bars will make them last up to five days.

Post submitted by Marisa from The Mommies Network's Content Team

Do You Have Flower Power?

Are you looking for some curb appeal? Do you need to beautify your backyard? Spring planting season may be a few months away, but there's no better time than now to grow with The Mommies Network National Chapter! We've partnered with Flower Power to bring you a fabulous fundraiser to help you plan the garden of your dreams.

Flower Power sells quality flower bulbs with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. Gorgeous geraniums, tantalizing tiger lilies, and beautiful begonias are just a few of the many bulbs available and ready to be shipped to your door. This fundraiser runs Jan. 22–March 20, 2012, and your bulbs will arrive in April and May, just in time for beautiful summer blooms.

So save some gas and the trip to your local nursery or big-box store, and plan your perfect garden from the comfort of your computer. Visit http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/t/240256/16uzZz792nI1 to view the enormous array of flower bulbs, and spring into Flower Power and The Mommies Network National Chapter's fabulous fundraiser!

Special bonus: Spend $40 or more to receive a free bag of 10 Twilight gladiolus, a $10 value.

Grow with us!

Profits made through our fundraising link go toward our chapter's operating expenses.

Reminder: Ring in the New Year With TMN!

The New Year's parties may have ended, but our sponsorship promotion hasn't! We're still ringing in the New Year at The Mommies Network with an incredible deal that will have you reaching for your noisemakers.

Moms may have the greatest buying power, sharing business experiences and trends with one another. And since women make more than 80 percent of all purchasing decisions and control two thirds of the nation’s disposable income, targeting this group benefits your company. Resolve to reach this influenial portion of the population by taking advantage of this limited-time promotion.

With all new/renewed sponsorship agreements, your business will receive a complimentary blog feature (advertorial to include logo/product image and 500 words). Prepaid agreements receive a 5 percent discount and a complimentary two months on one sponsorship listing. Sponsors also receive 20 percent off event sponsorships. Offer expires Jan. 31, 2012.

The end of the month is just around the corner, so what are you waiting for? Celebrate with TMN by taking advantage of this amazing deal.

For more details on how your business can ring in the New Year with moms across the nation, please contact Jessica Van Dyke at Jessica.VanDyke@TheMommiesNetwork.org.