Science Buddies Blog

New Raspberry Pi Projects Kit

April 29, 2015 1:15 PM

The activities paired with the new Raspberry Pi Projects Kit from the Science Buddies Store enable kids to work on creative projects that blend computer programming, electronics circuit building, and art to produce exciting interactive creations. Does your artwork light up when the room dims at the end of the day? Transforming traditional art with electronics and programming opens up all kinds of room for students to experiment and innovation! For a… Read more

20 Tips for Doing Robotics with Kids

April 28, 2015 12:00 PM

Introductory robotics projects made with toothbrush heads and other household materials can be a great way to let kids explore hands-on electronics and robotics. We have tips and reminders to help your family robotics project be fun for everyone and a science education success. How to Do Robotics Projects at Home with Your Kids: Twenty steps to help you and your kids have a great time exploring robotics at home. www.sciencebuddies.org … Read more

Paper Maze Programming: Start to Finish Computer Logic

April 23, 2015 11:00 AM

Explore the logic of computer coding — no computer required! Have you ever asked your student to give you directions, turn by turn, to get you home from a familiar landmark? It can be eye opening to hear how they might guide you, and you may or may not make it where you need to go! But the process of giving directions helps reiterate the steps involved in moving along a frequent path. Writing a computer program is similar in many ways. You need… Read more

Building a Solar-powered Bristlebot

April 17, 2015 9:30 AM

Adding solar panels to a brushbot project gives a new twist to an intermediate robotics building activity, but does it offer more power? With this clever build and a convenient robotics kit, it was easy to put that question to the test! After a successful series of building robots using Science Buddies procedures, we recently gave the Solar-powered Bristlebot a try. This bot is very closely related to the Light-tracking Bristlebot we built a few… Read more

Creative Paper Circuits with Copper Tape

April 15, 2015 9:00 AM

With paper, markers, LEDs, and copper tape, kids can get a hands-on introduction to electronics and circuits and turn their own drawings and creative projects into ones that light up! The intersection between art and science is one that holds particular interest for me, and I very much appreciate when my kids have the opportunity to do projects that support their creativity as well as let them get hands-on with science, technology, engineering, and… Read more

Students 3D Design and Print Their Own Robots with Autodesk Tinkercad

April 10, 2015 10:00 AM

Being able to translate ideas into 3D models that can be printed and used is an important skill for students with an interest in design and engineering. A recent robotics workshop gave students in New Jersey the opportunity to experiment with 3D design and then to see their models printed as real-life parts they could use in building their individual robots. Above: Participants at a SoHa SMART workshop explored 3D design by designing their own custom bodies for their robots. Students… Read more

Stretchy Rubber Band Science: Weekly Science Activity

April 9, 2015 11:45 AM

What happens to a rubber band's elasticity when the temperature changes? What happens when you heat up or cool down a bunch of molecules? Any exceptions? In this weekly mechanical engineering-themed family science activity, students experiment to find out how rubber bands respond to heating and cooling. Because rubber bands are made of polymer chains, the results may be surprising because a heated rubber band may do the opposite of what you expect! Get… Read more

What Shape is a Hard-boiled Egg?

April 2, 2015 10:00 AM

Hard-boiling and dyeing eggs is a Spring tradition in many households. This year, give your hard-boiled eggs a twist and turn ordinary ovoid hard-boiled eggs into fun shapes! The trick to the transformation is understanding the science behind the process of hard-boiling. Raw eggs are oval in shape. Hard-boiled eggs are made from raw eggs. Therefore hard-boiled eggs must be oval in shape, right? Your basic logic primer might suggest this syllogism is… Read more

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