Pondering Gravity...

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September 20, 2009

The day was beautiful... blue skies, light breeze, and perfect temps. It couldn't get any better. So we decided to take the afternoon off and visit the birth place and home of Isaac Newton.

Surprisingly, it's only a few miles away! Jeanne had been there last spring with Scott's parents and found it to be a great kids discovery-science day out.




But first we walked to the famous tree where Isaac sat and pondered why apples always fall down.






This tree grew from the actual roots of the original tree. Apparently, the old tree broke off in a storm but new shoots grew up from the remaining roots into this massive old apple tree. (tree to the left)



The apples were quite abundant! We had already asked if we could pick some but they said no... but it was tempting!



Then Madison had a little fun with a previously fallen apple...





Right across from the orchard is the plain but historically significant house of the Newton's.






The upstairs is actually where Isaac performed experiments with prisms and discovered properties of light.






In another twist of history and fate, the plague hit Cambridge where he was attending university and all students were sent home. During that time at home he was quite prolific in scientific discovery. It is likely that if he had been in university studying Latin and Greek he might not have developed into the scientific genius that school children study today!


The kids then enjoyed playing in the science center located in a stone barn of the property.





There were bubbles, conic section prints in sand, rolling balls and of course...






the test if in a vacuum two different sized balls drop at the same time- which one falls faster?

Neither- they fall at the same rate. Now it's proved! But it was loud and made Jeanne jump a bit!




It was a great day. But the best part was the discovery of APPLES! We could purchase apples that actually came from the famous apple tree!




So a few weeks later (when we had time) Jeanne and Madison baked an...

ISAAC NEWTON APPLE PIE

Yum! Nothing like EATING history! (smile)