Science Buddies Blog

Going for the Gold: Boost Your Olympics Savvy with Sports Science

July 26, 2012 8:00 AM

It takes a lot of talent, determination, conditioning, training, and dedication to make it to the Olympics. But every sport also involves points at which angles, trajectories, momentum, and laws of physics intersect with raw talent and the thrill of performance. Learn more about what goes into Olympic-caliber success by investigating the sports science involved in your favorite Olympic events. Watching the Olympic Games together raises a number of exciting opportunities for sports… Read more

Student Shares Story of Garage-based Lab and Wins Bio-Rad Scholarship

July 23, 2012 8:00 AM

In an essay he wrote as part of an application for a science scholarship offered by Bio-Rad Laboratories, this high school senior highlights the importance of hands-on science. Walk into his lab, through his words, and see the shine of his drive, determination, and passion for science. Jacob Saldinger found a testing ground for his science exploration in a corner of his garage. Jacob is the recipient of the Ron Mardigian scholarship, awarded by Bio-Rad Laboratories. (Image:… Read more

The Eyes Have It!

July 20, 2012 9:00 AM

Get the kids together, build a simple vision protractor, and play a fun game of "now you see it, now you don't" while exploring the world of peripheral vision. Have you ever joked with your kids that you have eyes in the back of your head—letting you see things even when you seem to not be looking? While you probably only have eyes in the front, your eyes do use two different kinds of vision processes. So even when you are paying attention to something in front of you, you can see… Read more

Grasping with Straws: A Robotic Hand

July 18, 2012 8:00 AM

A new Project Idea from Science Buddies challenges student engineers to design an articulated hand—from ordinary drinking straws. Proving that diving into the robotics scene for a science fair project doesn't require expensive hi-tech equipment, the project invites students to go DIY with the engineering design process. What can a robotic hand do? You decide! Following the steps of the Engineering Design Process, students can blueprint and design a robotic hand using inexpensive… Read more

Video Game Design Summer Program: Week 1

July 17, 2012 9:23 AM

Rising sixth-grade student weighs in on the first week of Gamestar Mechanic's summer video game design camp. The first week was all about platformers. Do you know what it takes to make a top-notch platformer like Super Mario or Donkey Kong? Unit 1 of the Gamestar Mechanic Summer Program focused on platformer games. Students were presented with an engaging set of challenges and materials within a special section of the Gamestar Mechanic environment (screenshot above shows a portion of… Read more

Snap Photos from Science Camp

July 12, 2012 12:22 PM

A new app and site from Elmer's® Products can help you capture and organize all the sticky, amazing, robotic, solar-powered, glue-filled, and otherwise amazing and inspired moments of summer science camp. Help your kids preserve the excitement of summer science by snapping photos that record their hands-on camp experiences! What did your student make at science camp today? We'd love to see! Try the 1st Day app, and share a photo with us. Elmer's Products is making a product… Read more

Tower Talk: Hands-on Materials Science and Engineering

July 9, 2012 3:00 PM

Families and young engineers can get hands on exploring the ins and outs of tower building using LEGO®, spaghetti, or even newspaper. Have fun seeing who can build the tallest tower, but be prepared for some structural collapses along the way as they explore what works—and what doesn't. The Skytree Tower in Japan, shown above, is currently the tallest tower in the world and ranks third on the list of tallest structures in the world. Exploring tower construction with everyday… Read more

Creative Summer Science: A Science Collection

July 6, 2012 9:00 AM

Creating a display of a science collection can be a wonderful exercise in observation and classification. Plus, your student will end up with a tactile visual reminder and keepsake. Creating a foam board display of a science collection can be a fun summer science activity that ties together science and art. Searching for new and unusual samples can be turned into an exciting summer quest, and mounting and displaying samples (or photos of samples) gives the project lasting… Read more

Making Room for Math

July 5, 2012 11:16 AM

Multiplication tables? Fibonacci sequence? First 23 numbers of Pi? Algebra problems? Solid shapes? Bucky balls? Zany stories about rabbits that multiply exponentially? School may be out for the summer, but studies suggest that sending math skills on vacation might be a bad idea! When it comes to math, summer counts! Look for simple ways to increase number-based activities and discussions as part of your everyday summer plans. When it comes to math, the adage, "you snooze you lose"… Read more

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