Family Science | Science Buddies Blog (Page 13)

Building Paper Bridges: Family Science Spotlight

June 11, 2015 11:00 AM

Build bridges from paper to explore civil engineering in this family STEM activity. Does the shape of the materials make a difference? What helps make a bridge strong? In this family science activity, explore bridge engineering with kids by making paper bridges that stretch between stacks of books. How does changing the shape of the materials (the paper) change the strength of the bridge? This is a fun and creative science activity you can do with… Read more

A Honeybee Mystery: Science Reading

June 3, 2015 10:45 AM

Readers of The Hive Detectives are treated to beautiful photographs and in-depth information about bees as they follow the path scientists took in tracking a global bee population crisis first identified in 2006. Image: "Beehives in Mankato, Minnesota" by Jonathunder via Wikimedia Commons Did you know that beekeepers keep beehives in stacked containers like the ones shown above? They look almost like sets of drawers! As you learn in The Hive… Read more

Throwing Balls and Trajectory: Weekly Family Science Activity

June 1, 2015 7:00 AM

In this week's spotlight: a physics-focused family sports science activity that may make a difference in your next game of catch! At what angle should you throw a ball if you want it to go as far as possible? This week's sports science activity helps students observe and quantify the relationship between launch angle and distance by getting outside, throwing balls with different trajectories, and seeing how far they go. What happens when you throw a ball very high, very straight, or with… 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

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

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

Bubbly Soda Science: Weekly Science Activity

March 31, 2015 1:00 PM

Making your own carbonated beverage can be a lot of fun. How much fizz do you like? What flavor? How sweet? The process of carbonating water and serving up a custom beverage is easier than ever before thanks to commonly available household devices like Sodastream®. But a pressurized approach to creating a carbonated beverage is not the only way to prepare a refreshing soda-style drink. With a few simple ingredients, students can experiment with mixing up their own… 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

Science Buddies Blog (333 results)

Explore Our Science Videos