Halloween vs Day of all Saints

Halloween has its origins in Celtic culture.

2000 years ago, in the territory now called Ireland, Celts feasted Samhain, this festival happen on the 1th November. This festival marked the end of the year, the winter beginning and the last harvest.
At that time some people believe that in this date the souls had their last and final chance to return to the realm of the living

In this festival people gathered and lit fires and offer sacrifices to the deceased, believing this would stop them to return. Celts also dressed in clothes made from animal skins and offer food to the dead. As time passed by the festival changed and the people started dressing as ghosts, witches and other creatures known to be malevolent, and asking food and drinks. It is thought that this was the origin of the famous "trick-or-treat".

In the Catholic Church November 1st celebrates the day of "All Saints", in Mexico, for example, is celebrated as the day of "los Muertos" (Day of the Dead).

Samhain or All Saints Day?
People celebrate Samhain (Halloween) on the night of 31 October to 1 November, but using new and present rituals adapted to each country.
The All Saints Day comes as an attempt by the Catholic Church to annul the pagan festivals of the Celtic people. This attempt, despite being brilliant (according to some experts), has not had the desired impact, and the reunion of families around the table with the goal of honoring the Saints never managed to replace Samhain with the desired success.
Today we have a kind of fusion between the two parties- the Hallowe'en and All Hallows, or Halloween and All Saints Day (Hollow has its roots in the word sanctified or holy). The current version of Samhain on the evening of October 31 to November 1, and All Saints Day on November 1, are exactly the same, honoring the dead and settle down.
actividades de outono, Halloween, mitos,
sources:
http://www.history.com
http://ancienthistory.about.com

Et voilá!
Trick-or-treat?

Enjoy!

Bernoulli demonstration- Blow the ping pong ball

Use a hair dryer and a simple ping pong ball and you can make a simple but great Bernoulli Principle demonstration- check it out here.
Today we will see the same Bernoulli Principle working in a different way


What we need:

• ping pong ball,
• plastic soda bottle, funnel,
• scissors.

How to:

1. Cut the top of the bottle, the rounded section, just like shown in picture;
2. Place the ping pong inside;
3. Fill your lungs with air;
4. Blow in the bottleneck, as many times as you want.

What happens?
Nothing! The ball stays in the plastic bottle section.

Why? 
The air you introduce in the plastic "cup" make its way leaning against the walls of the ball, as shown in the picture, causing it to rotate instead of rising.

Of course it is possible to make the ball "fly" but no lungs are able to do it.

See the video:

Et voilá!
Your Lungs can't do it!
Enjoy!

It's magic? No it's Science

With water, and a cardboard you can do a little magic with your restless.
This water is defying gravity.
Thats because the air in it can't escape to let in new air.

Et voilá!

It looks like magic, it sounds like magic, it tastes like magic, but it's science!

Enjoy!

Instant facts- Just add water 78

The Earth is 5th largest planet in our solar system.
in www.earthfacts.com

Cool Yogurts- Super Restless Mind

Marta Bolt in her blog "Caminhando juntos", shared with us a super restless idea: colorful yogurt. This yogurts  are really cool and easy to do, you just need a yogurt machine, and some smarties.

What we need:

• smarties, or other similar chocolate,
• usual ingredients to do normal yogurt (milk, natural yogurt... sugar),
• yogurt machine.

How to:

1. Preare the yogurt mix like usual;
2. Choose your favorite smaties color;
3. Add a few smarties, of that color, to your yogurt mix, before you turn the machine on;
4. Turn on the machine normally and wait.

Marta says this is what it takes to get a cool and colorful yogurt
 
Et voilá!
multicolored yogurts!

Enjoy!

Instant facts- Just add water 77

Black coffee with no sugar contains no calories.
in http://gomestic.com

Instant facts- Just add water 76

Catherine de Medici (1519-1589) is said to have taken the Italian peas "piselli novelli" to France (along with her chefs) when she married Henri II in 1533. This helped make petits pois a delicacy in France.
in peas.org

Instant facts- Just add water 75

The world record for eating peas is held by Janet Harris of Sussex who, in 1984, ate 7175 peas one by one in 60 minutes using chopsticks!
in peas.org/

I believe I can fly by St. Dominic's Chorus

Just wonderful

Check it out, t's really Restless and beautiful: I believe I can fly- St. Dominic's Chorus

Et Voilá!

The kids love the rhythm and the soul!
 

Enjoy!

Measuring time with a candle

Clock: Any instrument for measuring time intervals.
Dicionários Porto Editora

The clock is one of the earliest inventions of mankind. The first instruments used to measure time were based on solar motion and daylight. These mechanisms had a huge problem; in order to work the sun has to be visible.

Because of this fact it soon becomes obvious that it was necessary to find other methods "to read" the time, methods that were not dependent on weather conditions. Soon people find other mechanisms to track the time such as the hourglass, in which a small amount of sand is placed in a container which has a small hole in the base witch allows the sand to a second container, by changing the amount of sand and / or the hole size is possible to change the velocity of the sand, this mechanism is still used in some community games, it is effective and visually pleasing.

Water clock

Another mechanism is the water clock. This clock like an hourglass consists of two containers, initially empty, the containers and placed one above the other. The top container has a hole in the base; the other one has a scale. We fill up the top container that will "pouring water" to the second container.

Today we use clocks with milimetric precision, and we have atomic clocks that set universal time. The website zenite.nu, states that until 1986 the Greenwich Mean Time or GMT was used as the world standard but was replaced by the Coordinated Universal Time ou UTC, which is based on atomic standards

Sun clock- Lisbon Cathedral walls

UTC is the world standard accepted by "International Bureau of Weights and Measures".
0.00 UTC still means 0.00 in the GMT standard.

Today we are going to build a candle clock.
It's simple to understand and easy to work with.

What we need: 

• 2 candles, similar,
• string,
• black marker,
• 2 candle holders,
• 1 dish,
• a few bolts,



Hourglass

• clock.

How to:

1. Make sure the candles are similar, size and thickness;
2. Place both the candles on the candle holders;
3. Light the first candle;
4. Count 10 min, you can set an alarm;
5. When the alarm goes off make a mark with the pen in the second candle, marking the high of the first candle after 10 min;
6. Repeat the step 4 and until the first candle runs out.
7. At the end you should have a candle like the one in the picture;
8. Tie the bolts to the candle, one in each pen mark;
9. Place the candle+ candle holder in the dish;
10. Light the candle.

Marked Candle

What happened?
Every10 minutes a bolt will fall in the dish, working as an alarm.

Why?
The first candle works like a standard, we used it to know the rate of burning of the second candle, that’s why it's important both candles are similar.
Of course this clock is completely inaccurate, but it’s a good start. We can read in many candle tags its estimated life time, this is always only a reference, in fact a candle duration is related with many factors.
Another thing we must have in mind is that the "marks" on the second candle were made without using a measuring instrument.

If you want to go further:

Industrially marked candle

• Use the ruler to mark 1/2 inch segments on the candle, light it and measure the time it takes to get there. Answer the question: All segments take the same time to burn? Why?
• Get similar candles in different colors. Do they all burn at same rate?
• Get similar candles, all at same color but with different brands. Do they all burn at the same rate?
• Get similar candles, all at same color and brand but with different wax. Do they all burn at the same rate?

Important:

• Use at least 3 candles of each to get more accurate results. You will take the average at the end;
• Change one, and only one variable at time, otherwise you will not be able to get a real cause/effect;
• Take note of all results and observations in your notebook

Warning: The candle is hot, caution! Do not move the candles while the experiment is going. 

References:
http://www.sobre.com.pt; http://www.infopedia.pt; http://www.zenite.nu; Mandell, Muriel, 1998, "Experiências Simples sobre o tempo com materiais Disponíveis" Bertrand Editora

Et voilá!
You will never let the time fly again.

Enjoy!

Instant facts- Just add water 74

That famous red phone that’s depicted in many movies isn’t actually in the Oval Office. It’s in the Pentagon.
in washington.org

Instant facts- Just add water 73

Lobsters are ten-legged crustacean.
in animals.nationalgeographic.com

DIY Cat bell Tambourine- Music for everyone

We alredy did some music here, with the rice shaker. Today we are going to add another instrument to our orchestra, the cat bell tambourine.

This project is easy and it can be very colorful.

What we need:

• Paper punch,
• 2 disposable plastic plates, you can use paper ones, if you prefer,
• Cat bells,
• Glue, the type depends on you use paper or plastic plates,
• Ribbon, string works well
• Large neddle, large enough to the string/ribbon you want to use,
• Paints and brushes,
• Varnish.

How to:

1. Paint the plates, as you wish, eat side down;
2. Let them dry, 3 hours is more then enough;
3. Varnish;
4. Let it dry again;
5. Glue the plates together, with painted side out;
6. With the paper punch, punch several holes all around the plate circumference;
7. Get the ribbon and the cat bells and tie them thru the holes.

You are ready!

Et voilá!
Now you just need to do some music!

Enjoy!

Instant facts- Just add water 72

Sheep were domesticated by humans around 10,000 BC.
in veganpeace.com

Instant facts- Just add water 71

Reptiles are ectothermic, or cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature is regulated by their environment. Because they don't regulate their own body temperature, reptiles have few energy requirements and can go for long periods without food.
in http://animal.discovery.com

Instant facts- Just add water 70

In the northern hemisphere, the first day of the spring season is the day of the year when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward (on March 20th or 21st). This day is known as the vernal equinox.
in http://animal.discovery.com

Instant facts- Just add water 69

In the natural world, raccoons snare a lot of their meals in the water. With a average life span in the wild of 2 to 3 years, and a max size of 23.75 to 37.5 in (60 to 95 cm).
In http://animals.nationalgeographic.com

Instant facts- Just add water 68

There are many ancient religions believe that cats are exalted souls, companions or guides for humans, that they are all-knowing but are mute so they cannot influence decisions made by humans.
in http://www.catfacts.org

Instant facts- Just add water 67

Worldwide, 7.2 million people die from heart disease every year.
in http://science.nationalgeographic.com

Instant facts- Just add water 66

The average human brain has about 100 billion nerve cells.
in http://www.faizani.com

Instant facts- Just add water 65

Your eyes can process 36,000 bits of information every hour
in http://converyoptometrists.com/

Instant facts- Just add water 64

Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources.
in http://www.history.com

Instant facts- Just add water 63

Elvis purchased his first guitar when he was just 11 years old.
in The Sun online

Instant facts- Just add water 62

Butterflies range in size from a tiny 1/8 inch to a huge almost 12 inches.
in http://www.thebutterflysite.com

Instant facts- Just add water 61

Only female mosquitoes bite humans and animals.
in about.com

Instant facts- Just add water 60

There are five products that come from the hive: Honey, beeswax, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly.
in http://www.ontariobee.com

Old socks can for your pencils craft DIY

Today we are going o see how to reuse and recycle old socks and old glass jars, pots or cans; it’s easy and creates a great effect.

This idea is from our restless mind Maria João, thank you

What we need:

• old socks,
• old glass jars, plastic cups, or metal cans,
• super glue,
• scissors.

How to:

1. Cut the socks by the heel, about 1 inch above;
2. Place the can/jar/cup inside the top half of the sock;
3. Apply the glue on the top of the can/jar/cup;
4. Press the sock against the glue;
5. Use it to place your pencils, pens, marbles, pins...

Et voilá!
Simple things are the most beautiful!
Enjoy!

Instant facts- Just add water 59

Honey has natural preservatives and bacteria can't grow in it.
in http://www.ontariobee.com/

Overcome the force of gravity

When we add salt to water we increase its density, which will allow some objects to float.

What we need:

• 6 glass jars,
• different objects, like beans, grains, paper clips, eggs, etc.. we used dry beans, dry grain and an olive;
• salt,
• dessert spoon,
• water,
• pen,
• labels,
• your notepad.

How to:

1. Clean the jars;
2. Label them with letters or numbers;
3. Select the objects you want o test,
4. Write on your notepad which letter goes with each object, one of the jars will be the control, for example A- control; B- olive; C- bean....;
5. Fill the jars with the same quantity of water, we used 250ml;
6. Verify if any of your objects floats;
7. Write down your results;
8. Take the objects from the jar;
9. Add 1 dessert spoon of salt to the B jar, 2 to the C, 3 to the D... don't add any salt to the first jar (control);
10. Mix it well until the salt is all diluted, if you are using jars with lid is easier to close the jar and shake;
11. Test all the objects, one by one, jar by jar;
12. Write down your results.

At the end you will have precise notes about the number of spoons you need to add to water in order to float  a certain object.

These were our results:

A- 0 salt
B- 1 salt
C- 2 salt
D- 3 salt- floats: grain
E- 4 salt- floats: red bean; black bean
F- 5 salt- floats: white bean; olive

Attention: you may get different results; those depend on the beans/grain/olive trademark, size and water content.

It's possible to find on internet and some books some references to some restless minds that made heavier objects to float, like marbles, or stones, using larger amounts of salt. We didn't test those objects, in theory, yes it's possible to make it happen, but the amount of salt in the water will be hugely high.
Accept this challenge and try to float denser objects.

What happens?
As you salt the water, this will become denser, in other words, heavier. This density is closely linked to the force that water exerts on the items, if this force is higher then the force that pushes objects down (gravity) the objects are boost up and float.
With this experiment you can also observe water saturation, write down the number of salt spoons you need to saturate the water.

It is possible to do some variations to this essay:

• Use only one kind of bean but with different water levels (1 dry, hydrated but raw and 1 cooked);
• Use only one kind of bean with different water levels, from 3 different trademarks (dry, hydrated, cooked from trademark A, dry, hydrated, cooked from trademark B; dry, hydrated, cooked from trademark C);
• Use green olives or black, with pit, without pit...

Write down your results.

Et voilá!
Can you make it work with the marble?

Enjoy!

Instant facts- Just add water 58

The oceans occupy nearly 71% of our planet's surface.
in http://www.savethesea.org/STS%20ocean_facts.htm

Turtle recycled can to your pencils, great father's day idea

This is an idea o reduce and recycle the metal can's. With a bi of imagination we can use them to keep pens, pencils, paper clips, marbles... or you can offer it to your dad in father's day.

What we need:

• empty can,
• double tape or super glue,
• scissors,
• pliers,
• pen,
• charcoal pencil,
• tracing paper,
• craft knife, with a new blade,
• felts, in your favorite colors.

How to:

1. Clean the can, remove all the glue and paper;
2. With the pliers fold the  sharp edges inwards, this is a easy procedure that can avoid accidents;
3. Choose your base color, the one that will cover all the can;
4. Cut out a felt rectangle, a 1/2 inch larger then the felt you will need to cover all the can, the easiest way to do his is to roll the can on the felt, and mark the spot where you have to cut;
5. Trace the design on your tracing paper, use the pencil, in this tutorial the design is a turtle;
6. Chose the colors, we are going to use 2 different shades of green;
7. Trace the felts, like we did here;
8. We are going to give depth to the turtle, trace the body, the shell and the spots, like in the picture;
9. Cut out the pieces, note: cut all the pieces the same way, inside the line, outside the line or in the line, otherwise the puzzle will not fit;
10. Assemble the turtle with super glue or double tape;
11. Glue the assembled turtle on the rectangular felt you cut out on the step 4, glue it 1 inch above the base;
12. Apply the glue /double tape on the can, in all area;
13. Quilt the can with the base felt;
14. Cut out the excess with the craft knife;
15. Use it well :)

Attention:
Ask an adult to help you with the craft knife and the scissors! Be smart! Avoid accidents!

Et voilá!
It looks nice!

Enjoy!

Felt door sign DIY

Do you know those Hotel signs? Today we will learn how to do a felt sign to hang in your bedroom door. This is a great idea and you can recycle at the same time.

What we need:

• felts of different colors, depending on the design,
• scissors,
• tracing paper,
• charcoal pencil;
• pen,
• glue, or double side tape,
• cereal box,
• ruler,
• roll of scotch tape.

How to:

1. Choose your design;
2. Trace it with the tracing paper, don't draw the background;
3. Open the cereal box with the scissors;
4. With the tape roll draw 2 circles, one interior and another one exterior;
5. Use the ruler to draw a rectangle exactly with the scotch roll width, as in the picture;
6. Cut the sign;
7. With the charcoal pencil trace the draw to the cardboard;
8. Use your imagination and add the background, we used horizontal strips;
9. Trace the background elements to the tracing paper; ignore any other elements, like the pillow.
10. Trace the bed sheet fold and the blanket strips;
11. Choose the colors for those elements;
12. Trace the felt, use felt back side;
13. Cut them out;
14. Apply the double side tape to glue the background elements, like the image;
15. Do a new tracing for the pillow, chose the color, trace it, cut it out, and apply it in place;
16. Repeat it all over again for the baby, baby elements are: face, hair, hands and body;
17. With the pen draw the face elements, like eyes, mouth, nose, freckles....

NOTE: You can choose other designs; the important thing is to be able to separate the design into layers. First the background, second the middle elements, like the pillow, and finally the most important element, in this case, the baby. Of course you can do all the design, and make the pieces fit like a puzzle, but this will take a lot of time, precision and patience, and the design will not show depth.

Et voilá!
Write DO NOT DISTURB on it!

Enjoy!

Instant facts- Just add water 57

Yin and yang are the two opposing and complementary forces that make up all phenomena of life. Both proceed from the Supreme Ultimate and together they represent the process of the universe and all that is in it.
in http://www.religionfacts.com

Instant facts- Just add water 56

Marbles are made from recycled glass.

International Chocolate Festival in Obidos- Portugal

Visit until March 25

International chocolate festival

Et voilá!
yammy

Enjoy!

World Chocolate Wonderland

World Chocolate Wonderland, China's first theme park made entirely of chocolate has opened in Shanghai.
unfortunately alredy ended but here are some pictures of that tasty and wonderful Theme Park

Sources:
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/885227-world-chocolate-wonderland-opens-with-terracotta-army-replica-in-shanghai#ixzz1nxGl0i2p http://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/12/world-chocolate-wonderland-in-shanghai.html
http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/life/world-chocolate-wonderland

Et voilá!
chocolate dreams!

Enjoy!