According to definition, the subject Chemistry is the study of matter, its composition and the changes it undergoes. Before we start exploring the fascinating aspects of chemistry, let us start by understanding what matter is.

Explanation of Matter

Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter can exist in different forms or states and has various characteristics. Also, any object that has a physical form can be made of matter. Tiny bits of atoms are bound together to form molecules, that makeup matter. Your table, the chair you are sitting on, your food, all of this is matter.

Three States of Matter

There are 3 distinct states of matter; solid, liquid, and gases. Solids have fixed shape and volume- ex: a rock. Liquids have a fixed volume, but take up the shape of the container ex: water. Gases have no volume and no shape ex: air in vehicle tires.

What is a substance?

Substance is a form of matter that contains only one type of atom or molecule. That means substance is matter in which all parts are alike. Substance is further divided into two sub-categories:

Elements

An element is a chemical substance that is made up of a piacular kind of atom and cannot be broken down further or transformed by a chemical reaction into different elements. Examples of elements are; gold, oxygen, sulfur, and iron.

• Compounds

Compounds on the other hand; are pure substances that are made up of two or more elements. Examples of compounds are; salt, water, and sugar.

Mixtures

A mixture is formed when two or more substances are mixed together. A Mixture can either have homogenous or heterogeneous properties. Let us find out what this means;

• Homogenous Mixture

In a homogenous mixture, the components mix with each other having a uniform composition. However, the components cannot be seen with the naked eye. Also, the components cannot be separated from the mixture easily. Example: salt solution, sugar solution, and detergent.

• Heterogenous Mixture

A heterogeneous mixture is one, in which the composition is not uniform throughout and different components are observed. Unlike Homogenous mixtures, components of Heterogenous mixtures as visible with the naked eye. Even the size of the particles are large. You can separate the components of a heterogeneous mixture. Example: salt and oil, ice cubes in a drink, sand & water, etc.

Methods for Separating Mixtures

The components of a mixture can be separated physically. However, the technique to be used may be different for different types of mixtures and their chemical composition. Here are the different ways in which mixtures can be separated;

• Using a Separating Funnel

A separating funnel can be used to separate two immiscible liquids. These are those liquids that do not mix together, instead, they form different layers that can be clearly seen with the naked eye. Examples of immiscible liquids are; kerosene and water, oil and water, honey and oil, etc.

Experiment:

Fill the separating funnel with kerosene and water and allow it to settle down. You will clearly see two distinctive layers forming; water is at the bottom layer & kerosene at the top. Open the stopcock of the separating funnel. You will notice that water flows out onto a different vessel. When all the water is emptied, shut the stopcock, so that the kerosene remains in the separating funnel.

Evaporation

Through evaporation, you can separate solids that are dissolved in water. The thought behind this is, solids do not evaporate, but liquids do, and the solid substance is left behind in the vessel.

• Experiment

Take a glass and mix water with salt. Now empty the salt & water mixtures into a petri dish and heat is continuously over a burner. By heating, the water starts to form vapor and evaporates into the air. Keep heating until all the water is evaporated and only the salt remains in the dish.

Distillation

Distillation is the process of separating the components or substances from a liquid mixture, by using the technique of boiling and condensation.

• Experiment

Add a few drops of ink into water and empty it into a Conical flask. Add some anti-bumping granules in the conical flask and arrange the apparatus and test tubes, before you begin with the experiment. Heat the conical flask over medium flame using a burner, and watch the ink as it starts to boil. Observe the delivery tube and notice condensation starting to happen, as vapor turns into liquid again. Wait for all the water to condense, leaving only the liquid ink in the flask.

Carolina’s Building Blocks of Science® 3D: Structure and Properties of Matter (©2019) Carolina is a world-renowned supplier of Science lab equipment to schools across the globe and in Dubai, Middle East. The chemistry module on ‘Structure and Properties of Matter’ Is aimed at students of Grade 5 and it helps students discover the physical and chemical properties of matter. The kit comprises all the materials to conduct experiments, a teacher’s guide, and a student reader.

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Technology all over the globe is rapidly advancing and now we live in a world where robots have made their way into a normal human’s life. MiRo, an autonomous companion robot is a perfect example of that. It is inspired by the concept of a carefree home system that allows people to look after themselves using smart devices. Instead of relying on external help and resources, this system allows you to tackle your personal and intimate issues in an empowering and cost-effective manner. A UK-based start-up called Consequential Robotics and collaboration between Sebastian Conran Associates and the University of Sheffield is working towards developing a program that facilitates independent living. And MiRo has set out to do just that!

Designed to be a companion to humans, MiRo is an animal-inspired robot that is both friendly and approachable. It does not offer any kind of physical assistance but it monitors behaviour with utmost accuracy and offers companionship. It has pet-like features that one can emotionally engage with and is also a flexible programmable platform for researchers and app developers. Using the MiRoCODE programming environment, students all across GCC, Dubai, UAE and the Middle East are able to create their own programs, try them on-screen and advance in their STEM subjects.

Winning the Best Demonstration Award at the 2017 Human-Robot Interaction Conference in Vienna, Austria, MiRo interacts with wristbands and other digital wearables to track physical activity, environmental factors, monitor any risks, checks our vitals etc. to analyse whether the person is healthy or requires any kind of support. With accurate data recording, this robot can prove to be extremely useful for caregivers who can review the situation and take appropriate action. However, the features are not just restricted to the elderly. MiRo-E is a fully programmable, reasonably priced, robotics platform that allows students and universities to expand their knowledge in robotics, technology and improve their AI coding skills.

MiRo has been the talk of the town because it comes packed with advanced technological features including sensors for facial and voice recognition, navigation technology and light-sensitive vision. Moreover, the companion robot also displays animal-like behaviour such as moving-ear, eyelids, tail and a Bluetooth speaker that produces sounds. It also connects to Wi-Fi and comes with a SD card reader. Over the years, MiRo has been trialled on the elderly by a number of research institutions across the globe. The customer version will be available at 600 pounds, which will not only act as an ideal companion but also play a significant role in evolving STEM education.

Since it displays a superior ‘brain system’, this amiable robot adapts to most situations with mind-blowing accuracy and also shows emotions, makes decisions and responds to human cues in its own unique way. The wider vision behind developing MiRo is to provide emotional aid to humans and decrease the sense of isolation. This empowering model benefits the elderly, healthcare professionals, students and researchers alike.

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Radio Broadcasts have always played an important role in disseminating important information and entertaining mass audiences. Through the medium of Radio, listeners get to learn about political agenda, hear-out views of famous personalities, and be aware of the developments in the world around them.

The same concept is brought to educational institutes, including those in GCC regions, where children can launch their own Broadcasting show and speak about topics that are important to them via the School Radio Platform. If you are a student, here are some topics that might be of interest to you. It’s time to make your opinions public & share them with peers, teachers, & school management;

Innovative Start-Ups & Business

Entrepreneurship is the new buzz word and everyone seems to be excited to start a new brand or bring-in fresh ideas into the market. How about starting a Radio Channel that gives budding entrepreneurs a chance to showcase their ideas! Why can’t the seeds of a great business be sown in your high school days? To get students enthused about this, invite a few businessmen who have been successful with their start-ups and ask them to share their stories of challenges, struggles, and hard work. Following the same footsteps, students can present their start-up ideas; no matter if it culminates into something big in the future, or is just a seedling of an idea taking birth.

Health and Wellness

Stats show that 41.6% of cases of anxiety and depression related to Mental Health disorders are found commonly amongst school-going students and collegiates. Nearly 1 out of 3 adolescents aged 13 to 18 face anxiety disorder. So why not create a platform on your School Radio station to talk about it? Inviting Mental Health experts and wellness coaches on a School Radio talk show to talk about healthy self-care practices, is a great idea. Also, introduce students to the benefits of meditation and yoga via and stress on broadcasting positive experiences of students who benefitted from it.

Music

Everyone loves music! Even middle-school graders follow the cult and have their eyes on top ‘music artists’. Music Albums create quite a rage, and children start idealizing these pop icons and try to copy their sense of fashion, to stay relevant in their social groups. Talking about the different genres of music and playing some classics on School Radio is much of a stress buster! If you are a member of your ‘school band’ here’s your chance to outshine! Create some tunes and even record a fresh album, to be the next ‘Mr. or Ms. Popular’ at school.

Sports

Sports enthusiasts always want to be the first ones to get up-to-date information about their favorite game and sports club. Sports is an important extra-curricular activity in school, and it instills a sense of healthy competition amongst students. Sports also have manifold benefits on fighting obesity and contributing to the individual’s physical well-being. Via School Radio channel, discuss sports news, celebrate important milestones, and invite famous football/cricket personalities to your school talk show. So, are you ready to cheer for the ‘Al Nasr FC’, UAE’s most loved football team?

Technology

This is a dynamic topic and each day we get news about something innovative happening in the Tech space. From Elon Musk sending the Tesla Car to Mars and Google making advancements in Quantum Computing, Technology is advancing at a super-fast pace. Even educational institutes adopt the STEM curriculum focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and encourage children to learn to code & enable Robots to do amazing things. Use the Radio channel platform to broadcast content on amazing facets of technology and inspire students to venture wholeheartedly.

So, what topic are you going to talk about when it’s your turn to host a show on School Radio? Make sure you prepare well before going ‘live’ and speak about the subject with passion & conviction. School Radio is already making waves in 430+ schools across the Globe, including some schools in Dubai & other regions of the Middle East.

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Children are fascinated by Robotic Toys, as it sparks their curiosity and fuels their imagination. If you had to decode what your child is thinking, you would discover all kinds of interesting questions! How does the Robot move forward? What is this noise that this Robot toy is making? Does the Robot eat any food? Does this toy have any superpower? And, many such pondering thoughts culminate in the child’s inquisitive mind.

There’s no doubt that Kids love cartoons and all sorts of animated characters. Similarly, Robots have their own personality and children admire the vivaciousness of this marvelous toy. The latest AI Powered Robots can interact with kids, recognize faces, and even become a great companion.

Coding Robots for Kids by Matatalab Going a step further, Matatalab has introduced a curriculum that familiarizes students with some basic coding tools in sync with the STEAM Learning practice. Through tangible coding products; Matatalab combines technology and education, providing innovative learning experiences to students as young as 2 to 5 years of age, to develop their 21st century skills.

Here are some good reasons to purchase a coding Robot for Kids: Believe it or not in all fun, games and entertainment, Kiddie Robots are more than just devices that move and make noise. They actually teach the fundamentals of programming, while holistically developing the child’s personality.

Playing with Robots Fosters Communication Skills

Kids who don’t have siblings may find a friend in the Robot! They interact with it, read a book together, and even play a game of catch & cook to stay entertained. Parents also become more inquisitive and start asking questions to parents, thereby enhancing communication skills.

Robot Toys Make Coding a Hands-on Practice

Gone are those days where children were required to visit a computer lab and type some codes or drag the pre-defined code on their PC to learn programming skills. This method becomes rather boring and kids lose interest after a while. Quite contrary to this, a coding Robot Toy encourages hands-on practice, and students can see their commands being executed by the Robot, thereby making the process thrilling.

Builds an interest in STEAM learning

Who wouldn’t like the idea of playing with a Robot, while getting to learn something new each day? The advantages of hands-on coding are manifold and children slowly become lifelong learners through fun & games. An innovative mindset is fostered, by encouraging children to practice trial & error methods to make the toy Robot follow different commands. In case there is an error where the Robot is stuck or starts to show some resistance, students start delving deeper and try to find a solution to the problem. Therefore, a problem-solving approach and logical thinking skills are developed.

Spend More Time With Parents

Robot Toys are not only popular in educational institutes, but Home Edition Sets are also available. Parents all across the world, and from developed countries like Dubai in the Middle East, trust Matatalab for purchasing the latest hands-on coding Robot Toys. Some homes have made it a ritual, where parents & children spend 30 minutes daily together and have a great time navigating the Toy Robot around the living room and making it do all sorts of things. Thanks to Matatalab, parents are able to spend quality time with their kids and learn something new together where children become teachers & parents act as passive observers. The Matatalab kit features a booklet filled with ideas to help kids get started. If you wish to learn more about Matatalab and wonder how to get your hands on it based in GCC and UAE, visit our website https://knowledge-hub.com/

Getting Kids Comfortable with the Digital World

IoT, VR and AI are not just fancy terms! They have become a reality today. What seemed as impossible yesterday, is now seamlessly possible due to the such inventions. Playing with Robots will definitely spark an interest towards the wonders of technology & digitalization amongst children at an early age. By the time children enter high school or even college, they would be confident enough to invent apps and use technology to solve important problems that persist.

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Schools across the world, partner with Carolina, who pioneers in supplying Science Lab Kits with a commitment to make study of Biology and Chemistry more exciting. Carolina is a common name in most educational institutes across Dubai in the Middle East.

Thanks to Carolina’s homeschooling kits, virtual science experiments are continuing as usual. While Carolina kits are tried and tested, one needs to take extra precaution to ensure utmost safety to the student and the home environment.

Teachers, parents, and science supervisors can collectively make home science a safe experience for our little Scientists in the making! The idea is not to be scared, but to be cautious.

Here are some practical tips to practice:

Conduct Experiments only under Adult Supervision

If science needs to happen at home, make sure you are around to supervise and guide. Be in the same room where your child is undertaking the experiment and not away in the kitchen or in another room tending to your client meetings.

Follow Step-by-Step Rules

The gradual progression of a Chemistry experiment follows a sequential order and therefore it is wise to abide by rules, especially when at home. If it’s a video conferencing session, allow your kids to use the apparatus and chemical composition, only when the teacher asks them to and not just randomly. Usually schools also share an ‘experiment handbook’ that highlights the stages step-by-step. Parents or guardians can read through the handbook prior to the session and be prepared to follow suit.

Keep All Materials Ready

In a one-hour virtual Home Science Experiment session, there is limited time at hand and students are expected to follow their Lab Teacher’s instructions, to get the best results. Therefore, organizing and keeping all materials ready before class begins, is advisable. Last minute panic and running around to find materials during the lecture, only creates more confusion, and the chances of accidents may increase.

Use Personal Protective Equipment

It goes without saying that Personal Protective gear is a must, even when the experimentation is being conducted at home. Just like you would wear gloves, safety goggles, aprons, and cover your head, before entering the Science Lab at school, the same needs to be followed at home. Also, it is better to wear full sleeved clothes to cover any exposed skin, to avoid getting hurt or burnt.

Get Lab Safety Agreement Signed

Parents need to sign a safety agreement shared by the school. The undertaking will have certain rules and precautionary guidelines to be followed while conducting the experiments with your kids at home. The agreement usually states a clause that if anything goes wrong, the school authorities will not be responsible.

Choose An Ideal Place In Your Home

What’s the ideal spot to safely conduct experiments at home? Choose a space that doesn’t have too much furniture around. Any delicate items like glass frames or showpieces need to be moved away from the place where the experiment is to be conducted. If you are choosing to work in the living room, make sure that part is cordoned off using a blanket, so that other kids & adults moving around do not accidently bump into each other and create chaos. Ensure utmost peace and make arrangements for extra newspaper sheets, cotton cloth, and paper bags.

Clean-up Immediately

Students usually get excited when their ‘litmus test experiment’ comes out correct and can’t wait to share this experience with their friends. In all the fun and frolic, they may just the place without clearing-up the mess. Cleaning-up is as important as organizing material orderly at the beginning of the session. Instruct them to dispose liquids carefully in the sink, use a cloth to wipe the table, and throw the used pincers & droppers in the dustbin.

Whether you are learning at school or at home, lab safety is very important. Carolina also promotes safety supplies, being the world’s leading one-stop platform for all science lab essentials. If you reside in UAE or any other GCC country, consult your school administrator to get more details or go through our website to learn more: Carolina Biological 

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Globally, a lot of misconceptions surround the concept of Dyscalculia. While a lot of people think it’s just a ‘numbers dyslexia’, it’s not. Dyscalculia goes beyond just having difficulty in writing the correct numerical answer. It is used to describe learning difficulties that are related to the overall concepts of math. While this is commonly found among students in all across the world, Dyscalculia is treatable and apps like Mathseeds make it even easier.

How to notice Dyscalculia

While it can look different for every individual depending on their age, circumstances and mental development. Here are a few symptoms that are commonly found:

• One finds it challenging to comprehend wider concepts of math such as algebra, geometry, greater-than & less-than etc.
• Difficulty in remembering functions such as addition, multiplication, subtraction, carry-forwarding a number, or dividing a sum.
• Difficulty in understanding the sequence of a sum or remembering the steps that are needed to find an answer to an equation, no matter how simple it is.
• One faces consistent trouble in expressing their mathematical knowledge or completing mathematical homework.
• It is also more likely to diagnose Dyscalculia in children and adults who also face anxiety, ADHD, depression, or dyslexia. However, a lot of more research is required in order to detect a firm cause.

How to manage and treat Dyscalculia

A lot of you may ask ‘can it actually be treated?’ The answer is YES. Dyscalculia can be managed and treated. There are a wide range of options available for both children and adults that can help them combat it. A few easy strategies for children include:

• Continuous practice of basic concepts of math. Sitting with students one-on-one and going over practices such as addition, subtraction etc. can prove to be quite helpful.
• Breaking down complex concepts and modules into smaller bits of information so it becomes easy for them to comprehend.
• While giving personal attention to the child can prove to be fruitful, it is also highly recommended to teach small groups of students together, which can facilitate easy understanding and higher relatability. Most IB Schools all over, including Dubai and GCC, follow a practice of conducting after school classes for students who need extra support, and even arrange for a shadow teacher who is specially appointed for the child suffering from Dyscalculia and pays individualized attention to bring out the best in the child.
• Going over the same concepts over and over again in a demonstrative manner can prove immensely helpful as it encourages deeper understanding among children.
• A lot of students in UAE in the Middle East are also using the Mathseeds app that allows kids to learn mathematical concepts in an easy and interactive manner. It combines highly structured lessons with motivational prompts so the children are not only engaged in learning but also develop a positive approach towards the subject.
• Consulting an education specialist is also a great way of managing Dyscalculia as they can help you with mental exercises and educational resources as per your needs.

While it can be relatively challenging for children and adults to learn mathematical concepts with Dyscalculia, but on the brighter side, it is treatable. Diagnosing it at an earlier stage can make a big difference so don’t shy away from speaking to a credible consultant doctor or child psychologist about this.

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