Family Science | Science Buddies Blog (Page 15)

Detective Science: Weekly Science Activity

October 23, 2014 9:15 AM

In this week's spotlight: a physics-focused science activity that helps families learn more about how forensic science can provide clues to solve crimes! Blood stains and spots at the scene of a crime can help detectives piece together what happened. In this activity, students use fake blood and investigate how blood stains change depending on the height from which the blood was dropped. It may sound gory, but there is interesting physics to explore! You and your family can explore the… Read more

Building a Halloween Brushbot: Family Robotics

October 21, 2014 11:00 AM

An orange scrub brush gives a family science activity a boost of jack-o-lantern-inspired fun and leads to a great robotics exploration. Ever since the new Brushbot family science activity launched at Science Buddies, with electronics components conveniently bundled in a multi-project kit, I have had it on my "must make" list for my kids. Thinking it would be cool to couple trick-or-treat month and the robotics project, I decided we would make a… Read more

Making Juice-filled Boba with a Spherification Science Project

October 6, 2014 9:00 AM

We go DIY with molecular gastronomy and family science as we make our own popping boba using the Science Buddies Spherification Kit. When it is hot outside, my kids love to pit stop at the nearby frozen yogurt shop where they can swirl frozen yogurt into an oversized paper bowl and load it up with toppings of their choice. Favorite toppings vary, but one kid's heaping concoction always includes little slippery, fruit-flavored balls—popping boba.… Read more

Caterpillar Spotting Leads to Citizen Science

September 30, 2014 9:00 AM

An unusual caterpillar brings lots of "eeeews!" and one contribution to a citizen science project. Discover how anyone can collaborate on serious scientific research. By Kim Mullin Above: Acharia stimulea, larva, Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University, Bugwood.org What do you picture when you think of a caterpillar? Green and hairless? Or perhaps black and fuzzy? Recently, I found a caterpillar on my car bumper, and its distinctive looks made… Read more

Computer Programming Basics: An Hour of Code

September 25, 2014 12:15 PM

With more and more kids playing video games and using apps, the secret to introducing kids to computer programming may be in making a game of it. With a smorgasbord of fun, engaging, playful, and puzzling modules available as part of the Hour of Code initiative, kids can experiment with programming basics and sample Javascript, Python, Ruby, and more. For kids just getting started with computer programming concepts, a gamified approach may make all the difference in showing them that… 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

Homemade Compass: Weekly Science Activity

September 4, 2014 9:30 AM

In this week's spotlight: a physics-focused family science activity that can help everyone in the family get a better sense of where you are—or in what direction you are heading. In this activity, students make a small, working compass using part of a cork, a needle, and a magnet. Once the compass is created, students can put it to the test. Does the direction the homemade compass points match up to what another navigational device or app says? Families can experiment with other… Read more

Tie-Dye Using Permanent Markers: Weekly Science Activity

August 28, 2014 8:00 AM

In this week's spotlight: a chemistry-focused family science and craft activity that lets students explore the concept of solubility while using permanent markers to decorate a T-shirt (or piece of fabric). Permanent markers are designed to be lasting, so what happens when you add water? What happens when you add alcohol? Does the marker ink react the same to both water and alcohol? Put these questions to the test in a fun hands-on science experiment. At the end of the project, students… Read more

Seeing Tonic Water Glow: Weekly Science Activity

August 14, 2014 8:00 AM

In this week's spotlight: a chemistry-focused family science activity that puts light energy, ultraviolet light, and visible light on display. With ordinary tonic water and a black light, families can learn more about ultraviolet light. What happens to the glow when you add a bit of bleach to the tonic water? Put it to the test to find out! Explore Glow-in-the-Dark Water! (Science Buddies activity) Shining Science: Explore Glow-in-the-Dark Water! (science activity at Scientific… Read more

Now Playing: The Perseid Meteor Showers

August 7, 2014 10:00 AM

Stay up late, or get up really, really early to catch nature's annual fireworks display. Students and families can extend Perseids fun with a hands-on science exploration of parallax. How far away are the things we see in the sky? By Kim Mullin Each August, a much-anticipated nighttime show plays live in our skies: the Perseid meteor showers. This annual event offers you the year's best opportunity to see meteors streaking across the sky, so long as you are willing to be awake well… Read more

Science Buddies Blog (333 results)

Explore Our Science Videos