A collection of Maddie's writings over the past years.

Simply Science

Maddie of Ottawa Ontario writes about her passion for Science. To discuss an article with Maddie, send a message with “Science & You” in the subject line.

Summer Newsletter 2006: Creepy Crawlies in my Locker

In the playground at my school, there was a colony of caterpillars living in the trees. My friends helped me catch seventeen caterpillars. They caught a good many themselves. After I caught each caterpillar, I would put it in my bug catcher. I tried to be responsible and I refilled the bug catcher with fresh leaves every day. When I could not tend to my caterpillars, I would hire caterpillar babysitters.

 I sat back and enjoyed watching the caterpillars munching away. Over a couple of weeks, each caterpillar started to turn into a chrysalis or pupa, a moth’s third stage. I had to wait and wait and wait (I hate waiting) for the transformation to be complete. Of course this process, took a good amount of weeks during recesses.

I went to do my morning caterpillar check one day and then I discovered a beautiful mustard coloured moth! The next recess, I opened the cage and helped the moth fly to freedom. Over the next few days, the rest of the moths hatched and were released. It had been a successful breeding period. I can’t wait for next spring so I can raise more caterpillars.

Spring  Newsletter 2005: Butterflies and Maddie Go Free

This March break, 2005, we went to Montreal. We visited a place call the Insectarium (I renamed it the Bugatarium). When we got to the door, they said that the best exhibit was near by at the Botanical Gardens so off we went.
When we first got in the door, there were a series of greenhouses with beautiful gardens in them. The last garden in the series looked like the others but was called "Butterflies Go Free". There were butterflies loose, flying all around. There was a lady who taught me about moths and butterflies and cocoons. I got a chart with all kinds of butterflies which you could identify in the gardens. My favourite part was, and still is, identifying all the butterflies. The very best part of all was that my mom let me roam the garden on my own to examine the various butterflies and moths. I found it a really nice experience.

I got a butterfly shaped lollipop and a tiny glass butterfly! The "Butterflies Go Free" exhibit is at the Insectarium in Montreal each year. You might enjoy it too.

Fall Newsletter 2004: Dazzling Crystals

Crystals are really pretty. I have been looking at crystals since I was two years old. It seems a crazy age, but crystals are in all sorts of things so it is easy to find them. A number of things are crystals such as: rocks, snowflakes, diamonds, salt and sugar. Diamonds are the hardest known crystal. They are a crystal substance so hard, they are used to cut other rocks. I am on my way to making my own crystal. It is small now but I would say it will grow bigger. Here is how you can make a crystal.

Step 1.
First get two glasses the same size.
Step 2.
Put warm water in each glass.
Step 3.
Stir in baking soda until the baking soda does not dissolve any more.
Step 4.
Get a length of thick yarn and you put a paper clip on each end of the yarn.
Step 5.
Place one paper clip in one of the jars and the other paper clip in the other jar. Don't forget to place a plate under the yarn to catch the drips!

Leave for several days. You need patience to watch your crystal grow.