The ultimate do-it-yourself and hack-your-way-to-happiness magazine, MAKE, recently launched a new section to their Make:Online website just for supporting the at home citizen scientist.

Having just subscribed to the online version of the magazine, I am excited to see the additional resources that Make is developing to actually support the education of amateur scientists with this guide for entering into the world of science at home. The focus at this time is on at home chemistry projects, and will help you take your old children's chemistry set experience to the next level in your garage (or basement, or laundry room).

Even if you are not particularly interested in doing chemistry at home--and bringing in the possibility of causing glass beakers go "Bang!"--the online resource will still provide a valuable educational experience to help you think about the process of setting up an at home lab--for any project--and what all should be considered in the process.

If you have setup your own at home lab, or are planning on venturing into this exciting opportunity of at home science labs, then tell us about your experiences here on DPR AmSci Journal!

It's certainly never too soon to begin the exploration of our universe... "newborn" is actually a good starting point. Today, I spent about 30 relaxing, calm minutes in our front yard with my 8 month-old son, Andrew. We didn't do anything complicated, didn't talk more than necessary, and just took a wandering stroll through the yard. No preparation was required, no special knowledge of my local habitat was needed... just open eyes, ears, and the freedom to touch. And, a fabulously simple learning experience was had by both father and son.

I tried to follow Andrew's gaze, so as something caught his attention we would head in that direction. We spent extra time up close with several different trees touching the various textures of bark, watching ants crawl, and even had a surprise discovery of a miniature monster: an abandoned cicada shell. This bug frozen in time was certainly fun to grab, lightly crush, and drop to the ground.

A rainbow-color pinwheel was also an attention grabber, so we spent time watching the breeze make the petals spin... what a surprise, as it seemed to happen all on its own!

So, explore with your children... as early as they begin to develop a focus... and help them learn to discover the universe, one tree leaf at a time.