The Brain and Nervous System The human brain is more complex than any computer known to man. The brain is divided into two primary parts called the Cerebral Hemispheres. These hemispheres have separate areas which control vision, touch, smell, taste, coordination and balance, breathing and blood pressure. The outer layer of the brain is called the grey matter and is rich in nerve cells. The inner layer of the brain is...

Using the Senses Materials Required: Four small butter or margarine containers with lids An orange, an apple, a grapefruit and a banana Pencil and paper A friend or parent Our five senses namely sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing help us determine our environment. We can study them in detail, with the help of a friend. After peeling off a portion from each fruit, place them separately in the containers. You...

Classifying Dead Insects Materials Required: Dead insects A book on insects Pencil and paper What kind of insects live in your neighbourhood? Collect insects from window sills around your home. An undisturbed screened window in an attic, garage or shed, where insects are often trapped, may have a lot of dead insects lying there. Remember spiders are arachnids, not insects. Insects have three pair of legs, but arachnids have eight legs....

Studying Animal Sounds Materials Required: A tape recorder Paper and pencil Nocturnal creatures are those who sleep during the day and remain awake at night. Owls, raccoons, frogs, crickets and locusts are a few examples. We can hear animal sounds, all times of the day. Hypothesize that the sounds we hear in the morning are different from the ones heard after dark. Go out of the house one early morning and...

Temperature and Smell   Materials Required: Paper towel Perfume Refrigerator A molecule is the smallest particle of a substance, made up of one or more atoms held together by a force. When heated they move faster, than they would, if cold. As the temperature increases, more molecules escape and travel into the air. This indicates that perfumed molecules can be smelled more easily, when you put some on your warm skin....

Soil an Invaluable Resource One of the Earth’s most valuable basic resource is the soil. It is formed of several layers of ‘Humus’, made of decaying leaves etc. It covers the first layer of soil called the ‘Topsoil’. In this layer decayed plant and animal material is broken down by bacteria, insects and earthworms thus making it fertile. Below this lies the ‘Subsoil’ containing lesser organic material and reachable only by...

Preventing Soil Erosion Materials Required: A large pitcher Four cookie trays, about 1.8 inches (45 cm) wide Soil with grass growing in it Measuring cup 5. Water A swale is a low area, covered with grass or plants. Water runs through it. The plants prevent soil erosion. Rushing water can cause soil erosion, but the roots of grasses and plants help the soil from being washed away. By performing the following...

Tracking the Insects Materials Required: An adult Small paintbrush from a craft or toy paint set White paint, the kind used for modeling A board that has been on the ground, since long A strong stick Rubber gloves Have you ever lifted an old board lying on the ground and seen some tiny animals(beetles, worm etc.) crawling under it? Is this their home or are they just passing by? If it...