New Year, New STEM Adventures!

 As the new year begins, January offers a fresh opportunity to dive into the wonders of  STEM. Whether you're bundling up for a chilly winter day or marveling at the night sky, January is packed with exciting scientific phenomena to explore. Let’s kick off the new year with curiosity and a joyful spirit!

Earth's Perihelion !

Buckle up, because on January 3rd, Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun, known as perihelion. While Earth's distance from the Sun doesn't significantly affect the seasons (which are caused by Earth's tilt), the fact that Earth is about 3.1 million miles closer to the Sun during this time is a fascinating astronomical occurrence.

Link to Article:Perihelion: What is it and when does it occur? | Space

Nature's Best Lights in January! 

January is the start of the new year and the best time to see the northern lights! The Northern Lights known as Aurora Borealis, are more visible in January, especially in places like Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia. This beautiful light display happens when particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field. It’s a cool way to learn about the Sun, the Earth’s atmosphere, and space weather!

Link to Article:Northern lights (aurora borealis) — what they are and how to see them | Space

Exciting STEM activity for the Winter!

Building a simple homemade thermometer is a fun way for kids to explore temperature changes in January. Using a plastic bottle, food coloring, water, and a straw, kids can track how the water level in the straw changes with temperature. As the air inside the bottle cools, the water level drops; when it warms up, the water rises. By observing these changes, kids learn about thermodynamics, temperature measurement, and how heat moves. This hands-on activity provides a clear, visual way to understand how temperature affects the world around us.

Link to Article:Make a Bottle Thermometer | Crafts for Kids | PBS KIDS for Parents