Pick Up Steam

Steam is a lot more than hot air. Steam-related activities start heating up right here.

CONNECT:

• View and read about vintage steam engines at http://www.retroweb.com/steamtrains.html
• Watch steamboats, and hear their steam whistles, at http://www.steamboats.org/index.php
• Did you know that steam flows exist in the New York subways? Dig below the surface at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/nyunderground/docs/nymain.html
• “Pick up steam,” “Blow off steam,” “Full steam ahead.” What do all those idioms mean, and how did they originate? Look them up – and other steam-y phrases -- at http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/steam

CREATE:

• Learn how to steam cook vegetables at http://steamregister.com/cooking-with-kids-bowtie-pasta-and-vegetables/
• Why does water turn into steam? Why does steam take up more room than water? Experiment with steam at http://scienceforkids.kidipede.com/chemistry/atoms/doing/steam.htm
• STEAM is also an acronym for Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Mathematics. Test some of the STEAM activities at http://showmelibrarian.blogspot.com/p/all-things-steam.html and http://babbledabbledo.com/25-steam-projects-for-kids/
• You can make a model steam engine by following the directions at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co7U6_bvkOw

CARE:

• How did steam help society? Read the list at http://classroom.synonym.com/did-invention-steam-engine-change-way-people-worked-13612.html
• Steam has enhanced people’s health for thousands of years. Trace the history, and see how to helps now, at http://www.livestrong.com/article/267957-steaming-for-sinus-congestion/
• Steam irons eliminate wrinkles. Discover how it works at http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-steam-iron.htm
• The National Girls Collaborative Project is helping girls get interested in STEAM; find out their steps at http://www.ngcproject.org/collaborative/new-york-steam-girls-collaborative

CAREERS:

Over the years, transportation largely depended on steam. Transportation remains a big industry sector. Track down a possible career that can take you places.

• http://www.khake.com/page44.html
• http://www.transportation.gov/womenandgirls/resources-girls
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVVp0t1hfQI