Summer is the season of fun in the sun and enjoying the great outdoors! But with sun comes heat, and this month’s STEAM inspiration book delves into one dog’s adventure as he tries to cool off on a hot summer day. Before we dive into our final Summer STEAM of the year, sit down with your favorite little one to read Hot Dog, by Doug Salati, together.
When a dog plops down from the heat in the middle of a city crosswalk, his owner decides to get him the breath of fresh air he needs.  Together, they take a taxi, train, and ferry to the beach, where they run on the sand, play in the water, and enjoy small pleasures.
Now that you’re in the summer spirit, let’s carry out a simple experiment that illustrates the effects of the sun’s heat. All you need are two empty plastic bottles, two balloons, a paint brush and black and white acrylic paint.
Paint one of the bottles black, and paint the other white. Place a balloon over the mouth of each bottle, making sure to create a tight seal that does not let air in or out. Place the bottles outside in direct sunlight for 10 minutes.
While you’re waiting, make your prediction. Which bottle will heat up faster? The air inside the bottle will also heat up, causing it to move upward and inflating the balloon. Which balloon will be inflated when your ten minutes are up?
As always, be as creative as you want, and have lots of fun learning together!