Science TIP: Pressure and Altitude: When you blow up a balloon, each puff increases the pressure or number of air molecules in that balloon. The molecules in the balloon are closer together than the molecules outside the balloon and these molecules begin to spread out until they are about the same distance apart (and pressure) as the molecules on the outside of the balloon. This causes the balloon to expand. As we move from sea level to the mountains, the air gets thinner. The air molecules are more crowded at sea level than high in the mountains. Because these molecules are closer together, they are under more pressure. Watch what happens when Quinn takes a bag of chips from New Orleans (under sea level) to 6000 feet above sea leaves (Co Springs), and then this same chip bag goes to Pine, CO at 8000 feet above sea level. The molecules in the sealed bag are closer together inside the bag in New Orleans because the molecules outside the bag are close together and the pressure is the same inside and outside the bag in New Orleans. As the bag travels to areas of higher altitude (and lower pressure), the air molecules spread out to match the pressure outside the bag, and thus the bag expands. In the last picture, the bag is at 8000 feet above sea level and the molecules have stretched the bag to its limits as the molecules inside are spreading out to match the pressure on the outside of the bag. It is pretty impressive that this bag is sealed so well.
You can watch “ask Andrew” (below) on you-tube as he gives an illustration of lower pressure at higher altitudes.
Even the grocery stores (below) in Colorado Springs have beautiful gardens out front.
The pictures below: 1. Quinn tried to tear the receipt from the hand held charging machine in a restaurant, and the machine came apart in his hands. By the time he rolled up the paper and got the machine back together, he was laughing pretty hard. Quinns efforts to get the machine together (before the waiter returned) resulted in an extra long receipt. Next time, I bet he waits for the waiter to give him a receipt. Pictures 2 & 3: Quinn is checking into the NIKI soccer camp in CO Springs. Hopefully, it will be a great learning experience. Flip through the slideshow below to see the soccer facility at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (enrollment 10K).
The drive into Pine, CO is beautiful. Flip through the slideshow below to see the views. The mountain in the distance (#6, #8,#14,#15) is named Lions Head. Guess you have to use your imagination.
This plant (below) is found in many flower beds in Colorado Springs. It is Russian sage and it is a species of Perovskia. Other names for this plant are Blue Jean Baby, Blue Spire, or little Spire. It requires very little maintenance and produces a bluish-purple flower (below on right).
We will be back at the farm later this week to show you new pictures of the farm and the wildlife in the area. In the meantime, please share this blog with your friends, and anyone you know who may homeschool their children.
English Tip of the Day: SAID, WENT, and GOES. When a person is repeating what someone said, they should use the word SAID. The words “went” and “goes” should be followed by the place to which someone traveled. For example: She said “John goes to camp each year”, Or She said “John went to camp last summer.” NEVER use the words “goes” or “went” as substitutes for the word “said”. Both of the following are commonly used, but are still incorrect: “she goes ‘I like purple’ “, or “she went ‘I like purple’ ”. Only use “goes” or “went” if it is followed by a place. The word “SAID” conveys the message of a person speaking, not heading off to a place.