Success Stories | Science Buddies Blog (Page 7)

Exploring Circuits with ArtBots: A Classroom Success Story

March 1, 2016 11:37 AM

Eighty sixth grade students put what they had learned about circuits into action when they worked in teams to build ArtBots in science class. After building their robots, these students had fun experimenting to see how changing the engineering design of an ArtBot changes the kind of art the robot creates. Above: Students in Nicole Johnson's class with a poster they made showing different pieces of "art" created by their ArtBot when testing and comparing the ArtBot… Read more

Wire Some Trick-or-Treat or Light-up Fun with Scratch and Raspberry Pi

October 27, 2015 8:00 AM

With the new Raspberry Pi Projects Kit from Science Buddies, students can explore a series of activities that combine creativity, electronics, and computer programming using Scratch—no prior experience required! For this middle school student, a homemade pumpkin was a perfect thing to light up with LEDs! Laura, a 7th grade student in CA has an interest in electronics and creative and handmade projects. This summer, she used the Raspberry Pi Projects kit at home and explored an… Read more

Planting a Solution to Soil Erosion

August 4, 2015 8:00 AM

If you think soil erosion amounts to a bit of soil being blown or washed away here and there, think again! Soil erosion costs billions of dollars each year. Can the use of plants help reduce soil erosion? This second grade student designed a project to put the idea to the test. With inexpensive baking trays and seeds, K-12 students can make model hillsides and explore! Over time, erosion can destabilize a hillside. As a result, erosion may put a… Read more

The Video Game Science of Hit Boxes

May 28, 2015 3:56 PM

The classic game of Galaga provided inspiration for this sixth grade student as he designed his own video game to learn more about the role of hit boxes in creating a successful game. Above: Kolben with his 6th grade project on video game design. For kids who love video games, working on science, technology, engineering, and math projects that involve computer coding and video game design can be an exciting way to combine a personal interest with science exploration and the… Read more

Going the Distance with Starlight Science

May 11, 2015 12:04 PM

This sixth grade student is blazing a path in astroscience with a string of successful science projects that are out of this world and yet amazingly down to Earth. With this year's project, she took a comparative look at the change in intensity of a star's light in relation to its distance. She spent a lot of time gathering light meter readings and ended up with a winning combination of math and physics! While every student can and should do and enjoy hands-on science, some students… 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

Students Use Autodesk 3D Design Software to Create Model Playgrounds

February 25, 2015 8:45 AM

Middle school students may think they are too "big" for the neighborhood playground structures, but chances are good they grew up climbing, swinging, sliding, and playing hide and seek at a local playground. Students in an 8th grade class in Berrien Springs, MI brought their firsthand knowledge of playgrounds to the classroom and combined it with imagination, creativity, science, math, and steps of the engineering design process to design their own playgrounds using Autodesk® Inventor®… Read more

Bristlebots at the Museum

January 27, 2015 9:00 AM

Participants at a museum sleepover event in Utah may have packed a toothbrush for the night, but likely came home with an extra—a toothbrush robot they built and decorated themselves! Guests at an NHMU sleepover event had a great time making, decorating, and testing Bristlebot robots. Despite the craziness that the main character encounters in the Night at the Museum movie (and its sequels), a sleepover at a local natural history museum can be a… Read more

Solar Ovens Are Totally Hot!

November 13, 2014 11:49 AM

Can you harness the sun to cook your dinner? A solar oven skeptic is converted. By Kim Mullin My 6th-grader loves to build things, so when he needed an energy-related project for his science class, constructing a solar oven was right up his alley. He looked online for kid-friendly solar oven designs, many of which involve pizza boxes, and was skeptical. "I don't think this is really going to work," he announced. After weighing the pros and cons of different designs, he decided go… Read more

From Wooden Train to the Magic of Maglev

September 11, 2014 8:00 AM

For a third grade student with an interest in science and pinewood derby cars, the Maglev Train project combined a fun DIY activity with engaging science. A levitating train is science kids can see! Family Science is Fun! Alex and Lisa, pictured above, built and explored the Magic Bullet Train kit from the Science Buddies Store. Alex's train turned out great, and we love the gold paint! For more family science inspiration featuring the maglev train kit and project, see Magic Train Puts… Read more

Science Buddies Blog (108 results)

Explore Our Science Videos