Science Projects | Science Buddies Blog (Page 61)

Fun with Seek and Find

March 10, 2010 12:34 PM

I love puzzles of all sorts. Word puzzles. Number puzzles. Mazes. Codes. Brain teasers. Not surprisingly, I passed on my willingness to tinker with a pencil and paper in an attempt to solve this or that challenge to my kids. Years ago, we spent countless hours poring over the pages of I Spy, Where's Waldo, and various spin-offs on the "can you find it hidden on this page" concept. In addition to the regular I Spy titles, the Can You See What I See? books by Walter Wick (one of the… Read more

The "Tilt" of Time

March 3, 2010 8:52 AM

We know the immediate and visible devastation earthquakes can cause, and last month, after the earthquake in Haiti, we posted a set of projects that offer good background material and talking points for discussion of earthquakes and plate tectonics. What students may not realize is that the impact of a big shake does more than cause structural damage. In fact, an earthquake can alter the tilt of the Earth to such a degree that the length of time in a "day" changes. The change is very… Read more

Lip Balm Science

March 2, 2010 11:20 AM

Have you ever noticed how many kinds and brands and flavors of lip balm appear in the cosmetics department at your favorite store? Why are there so many variations? Which one do you like most? Why do you like it? What kinds of differences do you notice between types? It might surprise you to discover that lip balm is something you can make at home. In fact, just like mixing up a batch of cookies, making lip balm follows a basic recipe. And, just as there are many recipes for cookies and… Read more

Scientist's Pick: No Pain, Lots of Game

March 1, 2010 8:58 AM

Note: This month's "Scientist's Pick" is from Science Buddies' staff scientist, Kristin Strong. Kristin presented this project to the Science Buddies' team in February. It's got an icy, winter theme! ~ Science Buddies' Editorial Staff Project: No Pain, Lots of Game Scientist: Kristin Strong Science Buddies' Difficulty Level: 4 My favorite project of recent ones I've worked on is the Science Buddies project, No Pain, Lots of Game, a project that looks at the relationship between video… Read more

Science Mom Uncovers Science in Gelatin Dessert

February 22, 2010 5:44 PM

"Science Mom" Courtney Corda appeared live on View from the Bay today to demonstrate the way enzymes and proteins interact when you mix various fruits with gelatin. For Courtney, the kitchen is the perfect place for parents to get hands-on with kids about science and can be a wonderful way to explore chemistry and to relate scientific principles to everyday activities. Which Fruits Can Ruin Your Gelatin Dessert? (Science Buddies' Difficulty Level: 4-6) Read more

Familial Fingerprints

February 9, 2010 12:35 PM

There are two birthdays coming up in my house, two boys who thought it would be funny to wrap their births (quite symmetrically) right around Valentine's Day so that the middle of February will always be a conglomeration of treats and presents for them. Despite the fact that they are siblings, they probably don't think too much (yet) about the ways in which that shows up in their appearance, likes, dislikes, and personalities. That several years separate them is maybe more… Read more

Wringing Ringtones

February 4, 2010 5:04 PM

Like most of us, I would be lost without my cell phone. It's not that I talk on the phone all the time. It's not even that I spend endless time sending texts. Cell phones have just become a seemingly indispensible part of our culture. At 3PM, I know that a certain cell phone will start ringing on the schoolyard where we hang out after school. I've got three wake-up alarms set for my mornings, every half hour, each with a different ringtone. I see cell phones on the teachers' desks. Like many of… Read more

Going for the Gold: The Science of Winter Sports

February 1, 2010 5:08 PM

The 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver February 12-28. With a list of sporting events that includes Alpine Skiing, Bobsleigh, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skeleton, Ski Jumping, Snowboard, and Speed Skating, you know the snow and ice will be flying as athletes dazzle audiences and challenge the laws of physics with various rotations, jumps, loops, spins, twists, and turns. Even from the couch, I can't pinpoint a perfect triple lutz a crisp Alley Oop or… Read more

Scientist's Pick: Smart Slime

January 29, 2010 3:31 PM

Note: This month's "Scientist's Pick" is from Science Buddies' staff scientist, David Whyte. David presented this project to the Science Buddies' team last fall. It's very cool! ~ Science Buddies' Editorial Staff Project: Smarter Than Your Average Slime: Maze-solving by an Amoeboid Organism Scientist: David Whyte Science Buddies' Difficulty Level: 7-9 I was doing some background research on simple organisms that might be used in science projects when I came across an article… Read more

A Better Cup of Tea

January 27, 2010 9:05 AM

While I do cook my pasta the amount of time noted on the box (which may or may not be necessary), I'm one of the laziest sorts of tea drinkers. I drink dozens of cups of tea a day, and each time I follow the same highly unscientific, though orderly, process: I grab my cup. I grab a tea bag (from the "tea drawer"). I grab my sweetener (there are science fair project ideas on that, too!). I rip open the tea bag and drop it in my cup. I rip open my sweetener and dump it in.… Read more

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