Lake Havasu City Arizona Balloon Festival

This morning our students at school watched, across the street at the local high school field, as hot air balloons were being inflated and and then slowly rose  into the air and sailed off.  The excitement from the students talking and pointing and asking questions was intense. What a wonderful experience for the students to be a part of.  This is the third year of the balloon fest in our city.  The last few days have been so cold with the winds blowing but this morning it was a little cool but such a beautiful day.  Just the right type of weather and more important, the right audience for the beautiful balloons filling the air.  What excitement! What a sight!  All the beautiful colors floating across the sky and what a wonderful learning experience!  The balloon fest will be going on until Monday with many activities over the weekend.

This picture was taken January 2012 of  Balloons being inflated
at Lake Havasu High School, across from our school.

The people in the balloons were talking to the people boating on the lake.

 These are just a few of the balloons that were cruising over Lake Havasu and the surrounding area this morning.

I am standing under the London Bride Looking out at these beautiful balloons.

These pictures were taken on Jan. 19, 2013 looking out at the bridge and the balloons.

Magnetic Silly Putty

Make Your Own Magnetic Silly Putty

 

    I found this idea on Pinterest and thought it would be wonderful to add to any science area. The recipe is pretty simple and it is not expensive to make.  I wonder what would stick to this? Click on the picture above to link to the original Pinterest post for how this works and the scientific explanations or get the recipe below. Warning- You need to wear disposable gloves and a face mask when making this as the ferric iron oxide powder is very fine and you don't want to breathe it in.

Tools + materials

tools: disposable gloves (latex or other) disposable face mask disposable work area (paper plate)

materials: Thinking Putty ($2.00 or less) - any colour ferric iron oxide powder (artist supply stores) neodymium magnet

The secret ingredient that makes the putty magnetic is an iron oxide powder, which is ferric (magnetic). Ferric iron oxide is a fine powder used as black pigment and can be found at art stores. If your local artist supply store doesn't carry it, you can always purchase it online.