Guitar with Gloria & Science for Seniors *registered trademark

Science for Senior Program Topics

1. Volcano – residents will learn trivia such as – what US state was formed by volcanoes and are volcanoes ever extinct.  They will hold and examine samples of volcanic rock. After watching a 30 minute video on volcanoes, they will – if they choose – assist in making a model top volcano ‘explode’ with safe materials of baking soda, vinegar and water.
2. Oceans – in these program residents will learn about the oceans that cover 71 percent of the Earth’s surface with trivia such as which is the largest ocean and why is the ocean salty. They will hold and examine preserved samples of sea life including a blow fish and jaw of a small shark. After a 30 minute video, they may assist in a demo of how ocean waves change the shoreline and a physical way of understanding the sizes of seven major oceans and see how a squid escapes a preditor.
3. Sea shells and ocean life – in this program residents will learn about the vast variety of ocean life with trivia such as what is coral and how did early fishermen locate schools of fish? They will hold an examine a star fish, barnacles, coral, purple percin shells and a coach shell. They will watch a 30 minute video and participate in an experiment to demonstrate the make-up of a shell and answer the question – can you hear the ocean in a shell?
4. Fossils – In this program residents will learn how scientists discovered fossils and reconstructed the history of prehistoric life. Trivia include – which American president was fascinated by ancient life and how did the belief in the look, size and behavior of dinosaur change? The residents will hold and examine petrified wood, shark teeth and a fern fossil. After a 30 minute video, they will take part in a fossil making demo to show how fossils form and how archeologist piece together history.
5. Rocks and minerals – In this program residents will learn how the Earth formed and continues to change every day.  There will be trivia such as how do diamonds form and how the Grand Canyon was shaped. Residents will hold and examine rock samples. Following a 30 minute video, residents will take part in an experiment answering – are there rocks that float?
6. Earthquakes and Tsunamis – In this program residents will learn how the movement of the Earth’s plates re-shape the planet and form the continents. They will watch a 30 minute video and examine samples of earth. They will ‘feel’ an earthquake tremor in a safe way – using a tabletop method available for residents either seated or standing – and assist in a demo of how an earthquake and tsunamis appear if you were watching it happen at the source of the event.
7. The Moon – In this program residents will learn how the moon was formed and discuss trivia including who was the first man on the moon, the last man on the moon and is there water on the moon. They will ‘feel’ what it is like to be in a spacesuit through a simulated jacket. After a 30 minute video, they will take part in an experiment to demonstrate how the craters of the moon formed.
8. The Sun – In this program residents will learn how the sun formed and predictions of how it will end. They will learn trivia such as how much energy does the sun generate and can you fry an egg on the sidewalk on a very hot day . Residents will examine solar batteries. After a 30 minute video, residents will assist in a demo of how the Earth’s tilt opposite the sun causes the changes in our seasons.
9. The Solar System – In this program residents will learn how the solar formed and trivia such as why is Pluto no longer a planet and where is the best chance of discovering life beyond Earth.  After a 30 minute video, they will examine models of the planets and take part in a demo to illustrate the distance between planets. 
10. Plants – In this program residents will learn about plant life and trivia such as when and where on Earth the first flower grew and what do tree rings tell scientists. They will watch a 30 minute video, examine different seeds, and take part in an experiment demonstrating how flowers draw water and why plants die in frost. And they will learn why some trees change  color in the fall while others remain evergreen.
11. Birds – In this program residents will learn about winged creatures and trivia such as when did the earliest bird live on Earth and why do birds fly in a v-pattern? They will watch a 30 minute video and take part in an experiment explaining the formation of eggs.
12. Global warming – In this program residents will learn how the rising temperature of the Earth will change coastlines affecting people and animals. They will learn trivia questions such as – how fast is arctic ice melting and has the Earth experienced similar changes in the past. After a 30 minute video, they will take part in an experiment that demonstrates how polar bears stay warm in frigid waters and how rising sea levels will change US cities.
13. Amazon rainforest – In this program residents will learn how the rain forest cleans the Earth’s atmosphere and is home to millions of species. They will learn trivia including what foods and building materials used every day in the US come from the rainforest.  After a 30 minute video ride on the Amazon river, residents will take part in an experiment demonstrating why spiders do not stick to their webs.
14. Pollution – In this program residents will learn how pollution from cars, factories and fuel plants impacts our planet. They will learn trivia such as which engine is more polluting a car or a lawnmower and examine one month of cloth exposure in an urban and a forest setting. After a 30 minute video they will take part in an experiment of the acid content of rainwater.
15. Dogs - *** This program requires your facility have a friendly cooperative dog on site. In this program residents will learn how dogs hear and smell far better than humans and trivia on the beginning of the human & dog connection and what are the dog days of summer? After a 30 minute video, residents and the dog will take part in an experiment showing the canine’s sense of smell.
16. Submarines and other sailing ships – In this program residents will learn about early sailing ships and trivia on how sailors learned to navigate the sea prior to the compass. They will learn the history of the submarine and after a 30 minute video, take part in a demonstration of ocean density and how subs rise and descend in the water.
17. Myths and fun facts – In this program residents will explore the truth or falsehood of science stories including – can you fry an egg on a sidewalk? Does your tongue stick to a frozen pole on a winter day? Can you hear the ocean in a shell? Is the sky blue because of the ocean’s reflection? After a 30 minute video, residents will do a safe cold experiment with popsicles.
18. Space travel – In this program residents will learn about the human desire to travel to the stars including trivia on why the US waited so long to put a woman in space and what plans does NASA have for the future. After a 30 minute video, residents will examine the model of a space shuttle and participate in an experiment to demonstrate the pull of gravity as a space craft leaves Earth.
19. Weather – In this program residents will learn how tornadoes form and information on weather patterns on the planet. They will learn trivia about the power in a lighting strike and why each snowflake is unique. After a 30 minute video, they will take part in a demonstration of how a tornado works and how clouds form.
20. Magnets – In this program residents will learn how magnets work and trivia such as how magnets can power a spacecraft and do opposites really attract? They will examine magnets of different sizes and after a 30 minute video, they will take part in experiments demonstrating what household items do and do not stick to magnets, do magnets work through paper, plastic and water and what food do you eat that contains magnetic attracted material?

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Science for Seniors is designed to work with residents of all cognitive levels. It is built on the human response and curiousity to discover new concepts about the world around us.

Have Questions?

Please call me at 610-209-0964 or email me at:

guitarwithgloria@yahoo.com