Lab Rat Academy

Lab Rat Academy Lab Rat Academy offers hands-on science labs where students of all ages will obtain a great understanding of how life around them works.

Lab Rat Academy offers hands-on science labs where students of all ages will obtain a greater understanding of how life around them works.

08/21/2026

558 - I Found a Plant That MOVES When You Touch It! | Xi’an, China

While exploring a flower and animal market in Xi’an, China, I discovered some plants I had never seen before—including one that actually folds its leaves when you touch it!

It’s called the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), and its rapid response to touch is known as thigmonasty. A touch triggers signals within the plant that cause changes in water pressure inside specialized cells, making the leaves fold right before your eyes.

Come explore some of the unusual plants I discovered in China—and see just how amazing plant biology can be!

Science is everywhere… sometimes you just have to stop and touch the plants!

Wow! Science is so amazing.

Check out what science and art labs Becky offers at Lab Rat Academy. Http://LabRatAcademy.com

You can find Lab Rat Academy on all these social media platforms.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/Lab Rat Academy - Becky Cook
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/labratacademy/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/LabRatAcademy/



Musical artist: Christian Andersen
Title of Music Piece: Beyond Kings and Emperors
Courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

08/21/2026

558 - I Found a Plant That MOVES When You Touch It! | Xi’an, China

While exploring a flower and animal market in Xi’an, China, I discovered some plants I had never seen before—including one that actually folds its leaves when you touch it!

It’s called the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), and its rapid response to touch is known as thigmonasty. A touch triggers signals within the plant that cause changes in water pressure inside specialized cells, making the leaves fold right before your eyes.

Come explore some of the unusual plants I discovered in China—and see just how amazing plant biology can be!

Science is everywhere… sometimes you just have to stop and touch the plants!

Wow! Science is so amazing.

Check out what science and art labs Becky offers at Lab Rat Academy. Http://LabRatAcademy.com

You can find Lab Rat Academy on all these social media platforms.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/labratacademy/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/LabRatAcademy/



Musical artist: Christian Andersen
Title of Music Piece: Beyond Kings and Emperors
Courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

Homeschool families — fall is almost here!If you’re still putting together your homeschool plans for the new school year...
08/09/2026

Homeschool families — fall is almost here!

If you’re still putting together your homeschool plans for the new school year, the Lab Rat Academy calendars are up and registration is open!

This year I have hands-on science and art opportunities for students from elementary through high school — from Kitchen Chemistry and Watercolor Art to dissections, middle school science, and A-G Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

I love giving homeschool students a place where they can get their hands on the equipment, perform the experiments, make discoveries, and experience science for themselves.

Calendars are currently available for Atascadero, Monterey Bay and Aptos.

Take a look and see what might be a great fit for your student:

www.LabRatAcademy.com/calendars⁠

Come learn, experiment, create, and discover with us this fall!

08/08/2026

557 - Inside Xi’an’s Incredible Flower & Animal Market | China Science Snippet

Come explore one of the most fascinating places I discovered in Xi’an, China—the Flower & Animal Market!

From an unbelievably adorable kitten that looked like it stepped straight out of an anime cartoon to colorful birds, unusual fish, reptiles, and other amazing creatures, there seemed to be something surprising around every corner.

Join me as we take a quick science adventure through this incredible Chinese market and get an up-close look at some of the animals that caught my attention.

Science is everywhere—even in the middle of a bustling market in China!

Wow! Science is so amazing.

Check out what science and art labs Becky offers at Lab Rat Academy. Http://LabRatAcademy.com

You can find Lab Rat Academy on all these social media platforms.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/Lab Rat Academy - Becky Cook
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/labratacademy/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/LabRatAcademy/



Musical artist: Sight of Wonders
Title of Music Piece: Rice and Wine
Courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

08/08/2026

557 - Inside Xi’an’s Incredible Flower & Animal Market | China Science Snippet

Come explore one of the most fascinating places I discovered in Xi’an, China—the Flower & Animal Market!

From an unbelievably adorable kitten that looked like it stepped straight out of an anime cartoon to colorful birds, unusual fish, reptiles, and other amazing creatures, there seemed to be something surprising around every corner.

Join me as we take a quick science adventure through this incredible Chinese market and get an up-close look at some of the animals that caught my attention.

Science is everywhere—even in the middle of a bustling market in China!

Wow! Science is so amazing.

Check out what science and art labs Becky offers at Lab Rat Academy. Http://LabRatAcademy.com

You can find Lab Rat Academy on all these social media platforms.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/labratacademy/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/LabRatAcademy/



Musical artist: Sight of Wonders
Title of Music Piece: Rice and Wine
Courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

07/28/2026

556 - China’s Amazing Miniature Rainforests

While exploring the Flower and Animal Market in Xi’an, China, I discovered one of the most incredible miniature rainforest shops I’ve ever seen. These handcrafted living landscapes feature lush moss, tiny trees, misty rivers, caves, stalactites, and automatic rain systems that bring each miniature world to life. Every display is a unique work of living art, blending nature and creativity into breathtaking scenes.

The shop describes its work as “Landscape Creations” (景观创作)—a fitting name for these beautiful miniature ecosystems.

Location: 3511 TFEP Cultural & Creative Park (Flower, Bird & Pet Market), Xi’an, Shaanxi, China.

Wow! Science is so amazing.

Check out what science and art labs Becky offers at Lab Rat Academy. Http://LabRatAcademy.com

You can find Lab Rat Academy on all these social media platforms.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/Lab Rat Academy - Becky Cook
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/labratacademy/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/LabRatAcademy/



Musical artist: What Lao Tse Told Me
Title of Music Piece: Christian Andersen
Courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

07/28/2026

556 - China’s Amazing Miniature Rainforests

While exploring the Flower and Animal Market in Xi’an, China, I discovered one of the most incredible miniature rainforest shops I’ve ever seen. These handcrafted living landscapes feature lush moss, tiny trees, misty rivers, caves, stalactites, and automatic rain systems that bring each miniature world to life. Every display is a unique work of living art, blending nature and creativity into breathtaking scenes.

The shop describes its work as “Landscape Creations” (景观创作)—a fitting name for these beautiful miniature ecosystems.

Location: 3511 TFEP Cultural & Creative Park (Flower, Bird & Pet Market), Xi’an, Shaanxi, China.

Wow! Science is so amazing.

Check out what science and art labs Becky offers at Lab Rat Academy. Http://LabRatAcademy.com

You can find Lab Rat Academy on all these social media platforms.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/labratacademy/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/LabRatAcademy/



Musical artist: What Lao Tse Told Me
Title of Music Piece: Christian Andersen
Courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

07/28/2026

555 - Inside China’s Museum of Wonders | Dinosaurs, Fossils & Natural History

Step inside the Shaanxi Natural History Museum in Xi’an, China, where Earth’s history comes to life! In this science adventure, I explore towering dinosaur skeletons, incredible fossils, sparkling minerals, fascinating insects, birds, mammals, cave formations, slot canyons, and much more.

If you love science, geology, paleontology, or natural history, you’ll enjoy this quick tour through one of China’s most fascinating museums. Come discover the amazing story of our planet—from prehistoric giants to the incredible diversity of life today.

Wow! Science is so amazing.

Check out what science and art labs Becky offers at Lab Rat Academy. Http://LabRatAcademy.com

You can find Lab Rat Academy on all these social media platforms.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/Lab Rat Academy - Becky Cook
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/labratacademy/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/LabRatAcademy/



Musical artist: Clyde’s Chorus
Title of Music Piece: Phoenix Tail
Courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

07/28/2026

555 - Inside China’s Museum of Wonders | Dinosaurs, Fossils & Natural History

Step inside the Shaanxi Natural History Museum in Xi’an, China, where Earth’s history comes to life! In this science adventure, I explore towering dinosaur skeletons, incredible fossils, sparkling minerals, fascinating insects, birds, mammals, cave formations, slot canyons, and much more.

If you love science, geology, paleontology, or natural history, you’ll enjoy this quick tour through one of China’s most fascinating museums. Come discover the amazing story of our planet—from prehistoric giants to the incredible diversity of life today.

Wow! Science is so amazing.

Check out what science and art labs Becky offers at Lab Rat Academy. Http://LabRatAcademy.com

You can find Lab Rat Academy on all these social media platforms.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/labratacademy/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/LabRatAcademy/



Musical artist: Clyde’s Chorus
Title of Music Piece: Phoenix Tail
Courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

07/25/2026

554 - Inside China’s Hidden Ice Cave & Ancient Landslide Lake

What keeps an ice cave frozen in the middle of summer? And what does it have to do with a massive earthquake?

Join me as I explore the incredible Windy and Ice Caves of Cuihua Mountain near Xi’an, China. These aren’t ordinary caves—they’re talus caves, formed when a powerful earthquake triggered a giant landslide that scattered enormous granite boulders across the mountainside. The spaces between those boulders trap cold air, creating a natural refrigerator where ice can survive long after winter is over.

The adventure doesn’t end there! I’ll also visit the beautiful Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), a lake that was created when the same ancient landslide blocked a mountain valley.

It’s an amazing reminder that the forces of plate tectonics and earthquakes can reshape entire landscapes—and leave behind some of nature’s most fascinating wonders.

If you enjoy geology, earth science, and discovering how our planet works, be sure to like, subscribe, and join me for more science adventures from around the world!

Wow! Science is so amazing.

Check out what science and art labs Becky offers at Lab Rat Academy. Http://LabRatAcademy.com

You can find Lab Rat Academy on all these social media platforms.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/labratacademy/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/LabRatAcademy/



Musical artist: Trailer Worx
Title of Music Piece: Himalayan Skies
Courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

Address

1949 Yosemite Street
Seaside, CA
93955

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+15302493747

Website

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