Catch the Science Bug
31 Followers
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
About the store
The Catch the Science Bug Foundation’s mission is to excite, engage, and empower children, especially under-represented groups like girls and minorities about science and science careers. The goal is that we want kids to KNOW that they too could make valuable contributions to society by utilizing science and related fields in private or professional life, whether it be discovering a cure for cancer or installing a low-flow shower head.
Kim Bent, a former scientist and science teacher with a B.S. and M.S. in environmental science, desired to share her love of science with young children. Kim realized that after teaching high school science, if students had a better educational foundation in STEM, high school courses would be not be as challenging and frustrating to students. In 2000, she launched Catch the Science Bug Traveling Programs, where she brought hands-on and interactive science lessons to grades Pre K-8.
The success of these educational traveling programs, along with comprehensive evaluations, demonstrated that Catch the Science Bug could reach a larger audience through broadcast. Kim created the non-profit organization, Catch the Science Bug Foundation, Inc. to produce and distribute the television series, entitled Catch the Science Bug. The original pilot was produced under the direction of Rex Trailer, former host of the popular Boston children’s television program Boomtown. The non-profit status became official in December 2004. Grant writing commenced in 2005 as well as filming the first three episodes using volunteers. Nine episodes are now complete and airing via PBS Rhode Island (WSBE). These episodes will be released as downloads SOON!
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Teaching Resiliency to Young Children: an On-Line Curriculum Package
Below is a link from the Institute of HeartMath, a world renown nonprofit that teaches adults and children how to be more resilient based on scientifically proven techniques. This link features an online curriculum that they are currently giving away for FREE. However, I dont know how long this give away will last. This product can help children manage emotional reactions and relate better to one's self and others by learning simple techniques to induce calmer states of functioning through usin
PreK - 2nd
Character Education, Health
Poem Celebrating the Earth with Questions and Answers
This poem is great for EARTH DAY!!! Help your students raise their awareness of the magnificent of the earth as well as what they can do now and in the future to care for the earth. This package includes: 1) A graphic of the poem "In Awe" on a photo of the earth in jpg format 2) Ten questions about the poem in MS word 3) Answers to those questions in MS Word The objective of this package is to help all readers of the poem appreciate how the Earth sustains life with its many resources, to help
3rd - 12th
English Language Arts, Environment
CCSS, NGSS
RL.3.4
, CCRA.W.7
, CCRA.L.5
+4
Brick Math Puzzel
Using just two photographs, try to figure out the number of bricks stacked in the pile. Then students complete a series of eight additional questions which asks them to calculate area, weight, and length of the bricks and convert some of these answer to metric units. Last students are asked what they would create with the bricks! This is a fun activity that uses logic and spacial relationships as well as factor conversions. Great for a challenge when you need a fun activity! Answer key include
4th - 12th
Applied Math
The Case of the Green Grass Part 1 and 2
This mystery is a fun way to introduce how to create a fair experiment. To understand what factor produces a result an experiment all the factors have to be tested under the same conditions and only one factor can be changed. The factor that changes is called the variable. This term is introduced and applied in this mystery. If you wish to get even more sophisticated, you can introduce the term control. The control in an experiment is the test in which none of the factors are changed. The cont
2nd - 3rd
General Science
Measure This!!!
Have students practice measuring in centimeters, inches or using a tenths ruler. Ten exercises are given. An answer key for all three types of measurements is provided. Have older children use fractions and younger children can round to the nearest whole number. Fraction reduction can also be practiced with some of the answers.
2nd - 5th
Math, Science
CCSS
2.MD.A.1
, 2.MD.A.2
, 2.MD.D.9
+4
27:05
Wastewater Investigation
Ever wonder what happens to the water that goes down your drain from your sinks, tubs, toilets and washers? Can you even stand to think what is in that water and what it might look like? Join Catch the Science Bug's host, Kim Bent, and her Science Bug Investigators to tour a wastewater treatment plant and to see how engineers and chemists turn dirty disgusting water to crystal clear water and then releases it back into the environment. In the Experiment segment you will learn how to make a m
K - 3rd
Engineering, Environment, Science
45:02
Great Pumpkins
How do you grow a pumpkin? How do bees help in this process? Investigate all the stages of development of this fruit at the pumpkin patches on Hanson Farm in Framingham, MA. This segment introduces all the the parts of the pumpkin, how to measure circumference and what other fruits are in the same family. Then a special trip to the Topsfield Fair is made to see the giant pumpkins that can weigh in at over 1,000 pounds! Kim Bent, Host of Catch the Science Bug, and her Science Bug Investigator
PreK - 3rd
Environment, Math, Science
45:02
Underground Connections
Can washing your car affect a lake that is miles from your home? Storm drains make the answer to this question a “YES”. Find out what other activities can also affect the lake’s water quality, from our citizen scientist Beth Proko as we explore Indian Lake in Worcester, MA. Additionally we will look at algae blooms and and their effects on aquatic plant and animal life. City engineers then show us exactly how storm drains connect to lakes using remote cameras and how storm drains are cleaned.
K - 3rd
Engineering, Environment, Science
45:02
Vet Detectives
How does your vet determine if your pet is healthy or ill since your pet can not talk to them? The vets at the Medway Animal Hospital show us how they care for our four-footed friends and employ scientific tests as well as their own sense of sight, touch, hearing and smell. Notice, they don't use their sense of taste! Also learn to identify tics, fleas, and see how a blood test is read. In the Experiment segment, you will be taught to do a liquid separation technique called chromatography usin
K - 3rd
Environment, Science
41:56
Sun-Sational Solar by Catch the Science Bug
Can the sun provide you with a really hot bath? See how the sun’s energy can heat your bath water but don't worry, this doesn't involve bathing outdoors! Engineer Ethan Harris shows us how he installs solar panels which can heat your water without producing greenhouse gases. When greenhouse gases get in the atmosphere, they trap excess heat energy and add to global warming. Then our Science Bug Investigators teach you how you can emit less greenhouse gases at your own home by doing very simple
K - 3rd
Engineering, Environment, Science
45:02
Engineering Enigmas
What does an engineer do? Do they work alone or in a team? What types of products do they work on? Visit with electrical engineers and see how they design chips- which are not at all like the kind that come in a bag. This episode takes a close look at electrical engineering then introduces the concept of civil engineering. In the Experiment segment, how tall of a tower can our Science Bug Investigators build when only working with only a certain amount of materials? Try replicating this civ
1st - 4th
Engineering, Environment, Science
28:48
The Great Cardboard Boat Race by Catch the Science Bug
Can a boat made out of cardboard really stay afloat? Even if it has people in it? Watch the Great Cardboard Boat Race where kids make and race their own cardboard boats! You will also learn how a racing sailboat is built and the secret of flotation, from engineer John Ingalls. In the Experiment segment, Science Bug Investigators build a boat out of aluminum foil and see how many marbles it can hold. Try this experiment on your own and see if you can improve on your boat building skills. In
K - 3rd
Engineering, Environment, Science
29:18
Catch the Science Bug's Where Do You Get Your Drinking Water?
This is a 28 minute video that answers the question: Where do you get your drinking water? Learn the journey that your drinking water takes from clouds to faucets! The engineers at the Pawtucket Water Treatment Facility take us through the process of making precipitation clean for drinking. It is absolutely astounding how much water we use in a day!!! In the Experiment segment, you will learn how to make a model of the ground to show how groundwater is stored and then accessed through wells. Th
K - 3rd
Engineering, Environment, Science
Water Usage Calculations
The average person uses between 80 to 100 gallons of water per day. You may be thinking, ” There is no way I use that much water.” Try calculating the amount of water you use in one day! The watch our To: Faucets From: Clouds PBS Rhode Island episode. Find it on vimeo.com! All proceeds go to the Catch the Science Bug Foundation to help us maintain our free educational website at www.sciencebug.org. Purchase our PBS Rhode Island episodes on vimeo.com. Find us by searching for Catch the Scienc
3rd - 8th
Math, Science
Insect Observation Investigation
These worksheets are great for building observations skills in children as well as helping them to be curious about the world around them. These worksheets ask children to observe an insect that they see in their environment, learn more about the animal through research, and draw a picture of the animal. These same worksheets can be used for many different insects. While watching the insect in its natural environment also builds mindfulness and present moment awareness. All proceeds go to the
2nd - 6th
Environment, Science
CCSS
CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.4
, CCRA.W.5
+1
Tree Observation Investigation
These worksheets are great for building observations skills in children as well as helping them to be curious about the world around them. These worksheets ask children to observe a tree that they see in their environment, learn more about the animal through research, and draw a picture of the tree. These same worksheets can be used again and an again for different types of trees. Observing and drawing the tree, also builds mindfulness and present moment awareness. All proceeds go to the Catch
2nd - 8th
Environment, Science
Plant Observation Investigation
These worksheets are great for building observations skills in children as well as helping them to be curious about the world around them. These worksheets ask children to observe a that they see in their environment, learn more about the plant through research, and draw a picture of the plant. These same worksheets can be used for many different plants. While drawing the plant in its natural environment also builds mindfulness and present moment awareness. All proceeds go to the Catch the Sci
1st - 6th
Environment, Science
CCSS
CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.L.1
, CCRA.L.2
Colors in a Leaf
This activity uses chromatography, which is a separation technique to be able to isolate different parts of a gas or liquid mixture. It this activity, students use chromatography to figure out the different colors that a green leaf will show in the fall. All proceeds go to the Catch the Science Bug Foundation to help us maintain our free educational website at www.sciencebug.org. Purchase our PBS Rhode Island episodes on vimeo.com. Find us by searching for Catch the Science Bug! Great for gr
2nd - 6th
Environment, Physical Science, Science
Acid Rain Investigation
This is a fun experiment to see the effects of acid rain on plants. It uses different concentrations of vinegar water to mimic acid rain. This lessons helps students understand how our actions impact the environment. "Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic
1st - 5th
Environment, Science
CCSS
CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.3
Animal Observation Investigation
These worksheets are great for building observations skills in children as well as helping them to be curious about the world around them. These worksheets ask children to observe an animal that they see in their environment, learn more about the animal through research, and draw a picture of the animal. These same worksheets can be used for many different animals. While watching the animal in its natural environment also builds mindfulness and present moment awareness. All proceeds go to the
1st - 8th
English Language Arts, Performing Arts, Science
CCSS
CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.4
, CCRA.W.6
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About the store
Experience
The Catch the Science Bug Foundation’s mission is to excite, engage, and empower children, especially under-represented groups like girls and minorities about science and science careers. The goal is that we want kids to KNOW that they too could make valuable contributions to society by utilizing science and related fields in private or professional life, whether it be discovering a cure for cancer or installing a low-flow shower head.
Kim Bent, a former scientist and science teacher with a B.S. and M.S. in environmental science, desired to share her love of science with young children. Kim realized that after teaching high school science, if students had a better educational foundation in STEM, high school courses would be not be as challenging and frustrating to students. In 2000, she launched Catch the Science Bug Traveling Programs, where she brought hands-on and interactive science lessons to grades Pre K-8.
The success of these educational traveling programs, along with comprehensive evaluations, demonstrated that Catch the Science Bug could reach a larger audience through broadcast. Kim created the non-profit organization, Catch the Science Bug Foundation, Inc. to produce and distribute the television series, entitled Catch the Science Bug. The original pilot was produced under the direction of Rex Trailer, former host of the popular Boston children’s television program Boomtown. The non-profit status became official in December 2004. Grant writing commenced in 2005 as well as filming the first three episodes using volunteers. Nine episodes are now complete and airing via PBS Rhode Island (WSBE). These episodes will be released as downloads SOON!
Teaching style
Make concepts come to life through visual representations and hands-on activities!
REVIEWS
"I thought you were excellent. Our kids loved it."
Wiet Bacheller, Third Grade Teacher, Tisbury Elementary, Tisbury, MA
"I really liked it. It was informative. There were many different activities that connected to the video."
Maria Burgess, Second Grade Teacher, Mayo School, Holden, MA
"Thank you for the terrific programs you presented on Tuesday. Children and adults enjoyed you and the drilling was fantastic. Rebecca and I both loved your presentation and I know the children were excited about their maps."
Debbie Foley, Children’s Librarian, Newton Free Library
"It was great. Good hands-on. Good audience participation. Engaging."
Bonnie Campbell, Third Grade Teacher, Mayo School Holden, MA
The preschoolers had a blast. It (the program) kept them engaged the entire time."
Jeanine Williamson, Pre-School Teacher Round Hill Nursery School
"Good connection to students' understanding. Great multi-media presentation! The hands-on activities were excellent!"
Nancy Farrell, Third Grade Teacher, Mayo School, Holden, MA
Awards & shining teacher moments
Silver Choice Parents’ Award 2011 Small Screen for PBS Rhode Island series
Silver Choice Parents Award 2010 for Website
Top-Rated Educational Nonprofit in the United States Award 2010 by users on Greatnonprofits.org
American Library Association Great Website for Kids Award 2009
Martha Stewart's Doer of the Week Award 2009
Worcester Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award 2004
Spirit of the Land Award: Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Education 2002 by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee
My own education history
BS and MA from Boston College in Environmental Science
Additional biographical information
Lots more free stuff on our website at http://www.sciencebug.org!
Check out the BLOG!!!!
Traveling programs: www.catchthesciencebug.com
See us on YouTUBE as well!
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