Science Projects | Science Buddies Blog (Page 26)

A Farmer's Dilemma: To Till or Not To Till

March 30, 2015 10:51 AM

As winter turns to spring, farmers are preparing to plant this year's crops. For some, tilling their fields is a thing of the past. By Kim Mullin Photo: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service When you think of a farmer at work in the fields, do you picture a tractor pulling a plow and turning the soil? In my mind, it is a red tractor, and the soil is rich and dark. For many people, turning the soil may be an obvious part of growing crops. Of course it is required! … Read more

Fascinating Physics of Fluids and Surface Movement

March 26, 2015 12:31 PM

Mesmerizing video puts the physics of liquid in motion. Students and families can explore related science with hands-on activities that are fun to do at home or in the classroom. Image: screenshot from video that accompanies "Tiny Internal Tornadoes Bring Drops to Life," New York Times. (Click to view video and read the article.) A recent article by James Gorman in the New York Times showcases fascinating research related to the behavior and movement of fluids. In the video (linked… Read more

Guess What's Inside: Rock Science

March 19, 2015 9:05 AM

Have you and your kids ever cracked open a geode to reveal the crystals inside? This is a great way to add something special to a prized rock collection and can be a lot of fun for kids who are interested in geology, rocks, or crystals. Learn more about how to predict what's inside a geode with a hands-on, family-friendly rock science project. Above: The colorful inside of an amethyst geode. Source: Wikipedia. A few years ago, my family visited Mammoth Cave in KY. After our… Read more

Talking Pi and Pie for Pi Day

March 13, 2015 10:52 AM

Pi Day is a great excuse to make some math- and food-related Pi puns and bake up a tasty dessert. We suggest you throw a bit of science into the mix as well! Photo: Dennis Wilkinson, Flickr. Tomorrow, March 14, 2014 is Pi Day, and we hate to let a Pi Day go by without an extra nod of the head to Pi, in all its varieties. Whether you celebrate Pi Day with a brief recitation of the digits of Pi you know, with a homemade or store-bought pie you can eat, or with pizza, we encourage you to… Read more

How Low Can You Go? Melting Road Ice

March 4, 2015 11:00 AM

Dropping the freezing point of water can help keep roads free of ice, making them safer for driving. What are the best tools for the job? By Kim Mullin In the eastern United States, this winter's Arctic temperatures and non-stop snowstorms have kept snowplow drivers on their toes. Snow and ice reduce friction between car tires and the road, making it slippery and more dangerous to drive, so snowplow drivers' hard work is essential. Even if people are advised to stay off the roads,… Read more

Sliding and Friction: Weekly Science Activity

February 26, 2015 11:18 AM

In this week's spotlight: a fun physics activity that turns exploring the relationship between friction and sliding into a cool hands-on exercise. With a rubber band and a stack of coins, families can slingshot the coins on various surfaces to see how the surface affects how the coins slide. This science activity may feel like a game, but there is great science to be observed, so grab a rubber band, make a finger-based slingshot, and let the coins slide! Effect of Friction on… Read more

16 STEM Projects for Engineers Week

February 23, 2015 10:00 AM

Put engineering in the spotlight and celebrate Engineers Week with one of these 16 STEM projects! Put engineering in the spotlight and celebrate Engineers Week with great hands-on projects and activities like the 16 STEM ideas listed below for K-12 students: Balloon-Powered Car Challenge Keeping You in Suspens(ion) Build a Bathtub Toy Raft Powered by Surface Tension Get Crafty — Create Your Own Durable Paper Doll Build a Brushbot How… Read more

Shoo, Flu!: Vaccine Science

February 20, 2015 8:20 AM

Surrounded by coughing friends and drippy-nosed siblings? What are your chances of getting the flu this year? Discover how your immune system and the flu vaccine work together to keep you healthy. By Kim Mullin Image: CDC/ Douglas E. Jordan Sniffle, sneeze, cough, sigh. The annual bout of flu has already run through our house. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), anywhere from 5 to 20% of the US population gets it each year. Chills, fever, and a sore throat were no… Read more

Dancing Candy Hearts: Weekly Science Activity

February 12, 2015 1:30 PM

Hands-on candy science activity for Valentine's Day. What happens when you drop candy hearts in a glass of soda or seltzer water? In this week's spotlight: a fun chemistry activity for Valentine's Day. If you have conversation hearts candies on hand this Valentine's Day, put a few aside for a fun family science experiment. What happens when you drop one of the candies into a glass of soda? Why? This hands-on science activity makes a great science… Read more

Ocean Currents: Weekly Science Activity

February 6, 2015 8:59 AM

In this week's spotlight: an ocean sciences activity that helps families better visualize how ocean currents move. What does temperature have to do with the speed and direction of ocean currents? Make your own mini ocean model and find out! Ocean Currents: Modeling the 'Global Conveyor Belt' in Your Kitchen (full Science Buddies project idea) Seawater Science: Model Ocean Currents in Your Kitchen (science activity at Scientific American) Read more

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