We have a new kitten who loves to climb and sharpen her claws. We’ve drooled over the cat towers we see at the department stores, and we knew our cat would love one, but they’re so expensive. We weren’t sure a barn cat was worthy of a $70 toy. So the kids did a little research, and gathered spare lumber and carpet from the garage.

After inventorying the supplies, they designed a tower fit for a cat:)

With Dad’s help, they measured and cut and nailed carpet. They also wrapped rope and hung cat toys we had around the house.

Cost? $3 (for the rope). She LOVES IT!!!

This fits nicely with the Summer Splash Challenge, in the area of “creativity”.

My daughter did an experiment as an extra-credit assignment in her eighth grade science class, and it had very interesting results that all sour-candy lovers should watch! She soaked three eggs in different solutions for a month, and then demonstrates the results on this 3-minute YouTube video (the last five minutes or so are blank video): One egg was soaked in water, one in sugar water and one in Sour Spray.

You may want to watch the entire Prezi presentation to understand the hypothesis of the experiment, as well as the research that led her to focus on sour spray. Just click on the link in the previous sentence and click the arrow on the Prezi to move through the presentation slides.

During the presentation of her experiment, my daughter also conducted a social experiment. She offered each student a sour or regular gummy worm before starting the presentation, and 57% of the eighth graders chose “sour.” Her hypothesis was that when eighth graders learn the truth about sour spray, they will choose to change behavior. After the presentation, only 29% chose sour. Her hypothesis proved correct! You can try this in your own home or classroom, before and after watching the presentation.

Enjoy!

On the final day of our stay in DC, we were able to meet Senator Feingold at the Capitol. He spoke to both of the Wisconsin honorees and the official Capitol photographer took photos.

Who knows?

Prudential Spirit of Community Series:
Washington DC Landmarks
Smithsonian Awards Dinner and Program
Prudential Honorees at Montgomery Elementary
Meeting US Senator Feingold
Positively Speaking – Service Opportunities Abound

Washington DC series (2008):
Washington DC Dos and Don’ts
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Air and Space Museum
Washington DC Outdoor Art
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro
National Mall and Reflecting Pond
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial

The Prudential honorees also participated in a community service project at Montgomery Elementary School in Washington DC. They all read to the children there and donated books. As is typical with volunteer service, this experience was one of the highlights of the trip.

My daughter was asked to speak to the audience there about her literacy service project, and two elementary students there were honored for their own volunteer service.

After lunch at Hard Rock Cafe, all the honorees gathered on the Capitol steps for a group photo.

Prudential Spirit of Community Series:
Washington DC Landmarks
Smithsonian Awards Dinner and Program
Prudential Honorees at Montgomery Elementary
Meeting US Senator Feingold
Positively Speaking – Service Opportunities Abound

Washington DC series (2008):
Washington DC Dos and Don’ts
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Air and Space Museum
Washington DC Outdoor Art
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro
National Mall and Reflecting Pond
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial

My daughter and the other Wisconsin honoree meet Condoleezza Rice.

After some time spent getting to know the other honorees, and parents had a chance to visit DC landmarks, we all went to the most fantastic awards banquet I can imagine. We were taken to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History – after hours – to listen to Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State, deliver the most perfect keynote. She was inspiring, funny, and the most perfect role model for the youth in this audience.

From the Prudential site:
“The Prudential Spirit of Community honorees give us great hope for the future,” said Dr. Rice. “Their compassion and commitment are already making a real difference in so many lives, and I have no doubt that their leadership will continue to positively impact the world for many years to come.”

In addition to her many years of government service, Dr. Rice cofounded an innovative after-school enrichment program in California that seeks to raise high school graduation rates by helping middle-school students prepare for high school and college.

Later, Seth Wescott, Winter Olympics snowboard Gold Medalist, also addressed the State Honorees. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and mentorship.

After Dr. Rice’s keynote, we dined on gourmet hors d’oevres. Imagine eating in a dimly lit Smithsonian exhibit, beneath the wild animal exhibits, dinosaurs, and the Hope Diamond. In the Safari exhibit, the recorded sounds of storms were played, and we felt as though we were sitting in a rainstorm, without feeling a drop. In my life, I doubt I will ever experience a more classy event.

Prudential Spirit of Community Series:
Washington DC Landmarks
Smithsonian Awards Dinner and Program
Prudential Honorees at Montgomery Elementary
Meeting US Senator Feingold
Positively Speaking – Service Opportunities Abound

Washington DC series (2008):
Washington DC Dos and Don’ts
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Air and Space Museum
Washington DC Outdoor Art
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro
National Mall and Reflecting Pond
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial