One of the things I really wanted to do during our Antarctica study was make an Antarctica Research Laboratory. Our house is not huge and really does not have unlimited areas in which I could create one. Although I had only just finished the hallway I decided that under the stairs was the perfect place for our laboratory. In my head I plotted and planned but knew I probably wouldn’t actually execute these plans until it snowed. London and its suburbs never gets a huge amount of snow but we do almost always receive at least one obligatory snow flurry each year. This year that day happened to be yesterday. Fortunately, I was full of energy and more than up for the job of rearranging our hallway, again (!). And you know? I was quite pleased with the result:
- We already had the hooks that the girls used for their coats. We used these to hang their lab coats and goggles (Daddy’s old white shirts would do just as well):
- There was also a handy nail just above where the lab coats hung. On this I hung a black board sign saying ‘Antarctica Research Lab’:
- We also had a handy white board for recording purposes just behind the door:
- I brought in our living room table to use as the lab bench:
- And then filled every nook and cranny with every little bit of science equipment we owned:
We included:
- a tape measure and rulers to measure depth of snow, length of ice blocks, height of penguins etc.
- a compass for any intrepid explorers who wish to brave the sub zero Antarctic temperatures
- binoculars to be able to study penguins at a great distance
- a magnifying glass for examining specimens
- a scale to weigh pieces of ice, specimens, penguins and for comparative studies.
- Conical flasks, beakers, pipettes, turkey basters, test tubes
- Thermometer for testing inside and outside temperatures
- And basically anything else I had floating around that might have been considered even vaguely scientific…
Then we added our scientists:
And boy did they have fun:
….mixing and stirring; pipetting and turkey basting:
….preparing slides, and viewing them under the microscope:
Who knew an Antarctica Research Lab could hold such treasures?
After they had played to their hearts content, they happily joined me in some Antarctic themed snow experiments, on which I shall be posting tomorrow.
Such sweet pretend play 🙂
Isn’t it just?
I’d like to apply to be a lab assistant there, please! 😉
Oooh, we have an opening for a lab assistant, come on over!
I want to be in that research lab!
You are welcome to join us any time!
Your scientist are so cute!
…scientists… 🙂 They are working together really well! (Sorry, I pressed the button to early.)
Thanks Karin!
What fun! Can I join in?
Absolutely! Join us whenever you want!
So much fun! I too want to be a part of that lab!
I would LOVE for you to become part of the lab!!
Oh my goodness. I’ll bet your girls will remember that day for years to come. Your children are so blessed to have you! Cathy
Thank you Cathy, that’s a lovely thing to say!