3.5 miles today: We have been learning about different sources and types of energy this week in Science. And in general, to keep myself occupied, as well as the students occupied, I always make sure we add some kind of experiment to what it is we are learning. Particularly with scientific concepts, students learn by moving. 

So while talking about thermal energy, we decided to make homemade playdough and then add a little thermochromic pigement inside of it so that the playdough would be green when placed in the fridge but when warmed up by the hands of the kiddos, it would turn bright yellow. Let me tell you, that last 10 minutes of class on Thursday were probably ten minutes my students will remember for the rest of their lives. 

I let them roll their dough and stack it and transform it and build it in silence. And when they began to notice the color changing-awe and wonderment erupted around the room. 

And then I told them, "You can keep it." And they erupted in applause. 

I say this because awe and wonderment is so necessary for any child. But really-any person. What are you doing to create awe and wonderment every day? And it doesn't have to be complex. It could be as simple as a little ball of playdough you get to wrap up and take home to experiment with your loved ones. 

It could be running out to grab a piece of pie from a place nearby. 

It could be going on a walk underneath the blue skies. 

It could be watching someone come up with a new idea that was never thought up before. 

It could be talking with a friend you haven't talked to in a while. 

It could be doing something you have never done before. 

It could be letting your mind run so free that you come upon a new idea that you never thought existed in your brain. And it actually might just work. 

We exist on this planet today and every day to create awe and wonderment for others but also we must learn to find it and experience it ourselves. Because that new ideas or that old place or that comfy spot rediscovered could turn your life into a neon yellow ball of sunshine. How cool would that be? Pretty cool I think.