Science Activity Ideas for Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year marks the start of the New Year based on the lunisolar calendar, which falls on the first new moon between 21st January and 20th February. It's a chance to celebrate the move from Winter to Spring and involves family reunions, decorations often with a red theme, gifts, dragon dances and fireworks. The celebrations begin with the new moon and end 15 days later with the full moon. Each year is associated with one of 12 Zodiac animals , which are a fantastic source of inspiration for science activities. The 12 Chinese zodiac signs are: Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Goat Monkey Rooster Dog Pig I've created a science activity themed to each animal. Science Activity Ideas for Chinese New Year Year of the Horse This walking horse is a brilliant low-cost science activity that requires only paper, scissors and something to make a ramp from. The horses can be a bit fiddly at first, but they are worth the effort. Instructions Cut around each rectangle horse shape. Cut the small triangles from the bottom of each leg, and then cut up the legs, stopping at the middle section. Bend the four legs down and fold the tail upwards. Fold up the head and again at the top to make a head. Set up a ramp from a stack of books and thick cardboard, and place the horse at the top. If it doesn't move, gently push the legs until it starts walking. How does it work? When the horse is at the top of the ramp, it has potential energy due to its height. As it moves, this is converted into kinetic energy . The small triangles you cut at the bottom of the horse's legs make it slightly unstable, so it rocks from side to side when gently pushed. As the horse rocks onto one leg, the other legs are lifted up, as it is on an incline, gravity pulls the lifted legs forward. Fun science facts about horses Horses have fantastic long term memories. Horses only breathe through their noses, they are obligate nasal breathers. They have a flap of tissue that blocks the back of their mouth from their lungs. It means they can't inhale food when breathing, but it also means they can't pant like a dog to cool down. Horses can sleep standing up. They have a special ligament and tendon system that allows them to lock their joints in place. Horses have the biggest eyes of any land mammal. Year of the Goat Goats are well known for their climbing and balancing skills. Several features help them achieve thier gravity defying skills. Goats have special hooves that work like a clever climbing shoe. Their hooves have a hard outer wall that can dig into rock cracks and a soft, rubbery pad in the middle that can adapt to the ground's contours. Cloven hooves (two toes) allow goats to pinch the ground when climbing and to spread their toes wide...

Preview: ~500 words