Problem: Article: Dye will show up the best on white roses. If you use colored roses, the dye will add to whatever color is already there. For example, if you try to dye a yellow rose blue, you will get green. Hold the stem under water as you cut it down to 10 to 12 inches (25.4 to 30.5 centimeters). Cutting the stem at an angle will prevent it from sitting flat against the bottom of the cup. Cutting it under water will prevent air bubbles from forming. Both of these will help the rose absorb the dye better.  Take this time to trim off any thorns and leaves as well. Cut the stems shorter if you want the roses to soak up the dye faster. This will also help the roses turn out brighter. Leave the rose in the water as you prepare the dye bath. If you want to make a bouquet, you can cut more roses. Work one rose at a time, and place it into the vase as you finish cutting it. Fill a cup with ½ cup (120 milliliters) of warm water. Stir in 20 to 30 drops of food coloring or liquid watercolor. If you want something more subtle, use 5 to 10 drops and 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water instead. This will take at least 4 hours, so be patient! The longer you wait, the deeper the color will become. After 4 hours or so, the rose will take on a pastel color. If you want it to be a deeper color, you will have to wait 1 to 2 days. Keep in mind that the roses will be streaky and speckled.  Rose petals will have small veins. They will look darker after you finish dyeing the rose. If this bothers you, leave the rose in the dye longer.  For an interesting effect, dye the rose in one color for about 3 hours, then put it in a different color for 2 hours, then a third color for 1 hour. Once the rose is the color you want it to be, take the rose out of the dye, and place it into a vase filled with fresh water. If you want to help the rose last longer, add some floral preservative into the water.
Summary: Purchase some white roses. Cut the stem under water at an angle with shears or a sharp knife. Place the rose in a vase filled with plain water. Prepare your dye bath. Set the rose into the water, then wait for it to change color. Place the rose into a vase filled with fresh water.

Problem: Article: As noted above, there are only two agencies that provide the IDP in the United States--the American Automobile Touring Alliance and the American Automobile Association. You can either obtain an IDP in person or through the mail.  If you would prefer to get your IDP from AAA, you have two options. You can download the application from the American Automobile Association and bring the completed form to an AAA office near you. Alternatively, you can mail the form to the closest AAA office. You can find the AAA office in your area on their website. Included with your application forms, you must supply two “passport type” photos. You can get these pictures taken for a small fee at an AAA office. The cost of the permit is $15 (from either association). Even though an IDP will not be issued more than six months before you plan to travel internationally, make sure that you get your IDP well before the trip. If you have waited until the last minute, go get your IDP in person to avoid mail delays.  There is no waiting period, so if you decide to go in person everything can be handled in a single visit. Applications sent through the mail will normally be processed in 10 to 15 business days. Remember that the IDP is really just a  certified translation of your driver's license. You must keep your actual driver's license with you at all times.
Summary: Apply for an international driving permit. Submit your IDP application well in advance of any travel plans. Use your IDP in the country you are visiting.

Problem: Article: Go to any pet supply or outdoor supply store to purchase a seed cake.  Alternatively, you can make your own seed cake at home by purchasing the mix of seeds you want to feed the squirrels and mixing them together with lard or gelatin mix. When using lard, melt the lard in the microwave, which usually takes about 2 minutes and then stir in the birdseed. If you decide to use the gelatin, measure out an appropriate amount of water into a small saucepan and add the dry gelatin,  heating the mixture on the stove for a few minutes until the water dissolves the gelatin. Then, take the mixture off of the heat and stir in the birdseed. Place your seed/lard/gelatin mixture into your desired mold, on top of parchment paper to avoid any seepage, and let it set in the refrigerator for a few hours. Seed cake holders generally come in two styles, those that hang from a tree branch and those that fasten directly to a tree or post. Figure out which style is best for you before making your purchase. Find an ideal area of your yard or nature space to place the seed cake holder. If you purchased a hanging seed cake holder, you will want to look for a tree with a reasonably-sized, low-hanging limb that is perpendicular to the ground to which you can tie the seed cake holder. If you purchased a seed cake holder that fastens to a tree or post, place the holder roughly six feet off the ground and follow the fastening instructions on the label. When hanging a seed cake, it is important to remember that many animals in your yard will feed on seed cakes. If your goal is to keep the squirrels and birds separated, make sure you hang multiple seed cakes. Cakes hung higher in locations are ideal for birds, whereas seed cakes hung at lower levels will be more readily accessed by squirrels. Take care not hang the cake too low, or it will be eaten by deer. Once the holder(s) is in the correct position, stock it with the seed cake you purchased from the store. You may find, once you have hung your seed cake, that squirrels prefer one brand of seed cake over another. Make sure to monitor the frequency and volume of squirrels coming to feed on the seed cake and adjust the type of seed cake as you see fit.
Summary: Purchase seed cake. Decide on a seed cake holder. Hang or fasten seed cake holder. Find multiple trees for hanging. Stock the seed cake holder with seed cake. Monitor wildlife eating habits.

Problem: Article: If an emergency does occur, it is important that you know the correct way to act. All safety and emergency procedures should be discussed at the beginning of the school year. In addition, relevant safety measures should be reviewed before each experiment. If you are unsure about a specific process, ask your teacher so that you will know exactly what to do. Immediately after a spill or breakage occurs, it must be reported to your teacher. No matter how small it may seem, your teacher needs to know so that the proper cleanup procedure can be followed.  Broken glass can have sharp edges that can lead to cuts so handle it with care. It must be disposed of in a special broken glass container. Never try to clean up a chemical spill without consulting your teacher first. Do not wear bulky clothing as this will be difficult to manage and may come into contact with a flame or chemicals. Roll up your sleeves and keep long hair tied back. Wear shoes that are closed-toe, low heeled, and cover your entire foot.  Wear clothes that cover your whole body, such as long pants or a long skirt. Jewelry and contacts should not be worn in the lab. When working in a science lab, you must always wear a lab coat, gloves, and protective eyewear. The lab coat will protect you from chemical spills and gloves will protect your hands when handling chemicals or bacteria.  Eyewear should cover both your eyes and the sides of your eyes to protect from splashes. Disposable gloves of latex or nitrile should be used and removed before leaving the lab. Also, make sure to use tongs or protective gloves whenever you are handling something that might be hot. It can take a while for chemicals to cool down, so use caution. Familiarize yourself with the location of any and all safety equipment which may be available, including the fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and the eyewash station. If you have access to an emergency shower, know where this is located. You also need to know where the exits to the room are found and follow evacuation procedures quickly and quietly if needed.
Summary:
Know about all safety procedures. Report all spills, injuries, or broken equipment to your teacher. Dress for lab work. Wear proper protective equipment (PPE). Know where to find safety equipment.