Family Science | Science Buddies Blog (Page 16)

Holey Porous Rock Science!

July 30, 2014 9:30 AM

Examining rocks can be a springboard for a fun family science exploration. With different kinds of dried beans, plastic cups, and water, kids can model rocks and observe the way different sized particles in rocks affect how much water a rock can hold. By Kim Mullin What do rocks and sponges have in common? Rocks may be hard, and sponges may be soft, but both have pockets of empty space. Surprised? It may be easier to see the pockets in sponges since most sponges are covered with… Read more

Drinking Up Water Science During a Drought

July 22, 2014 12:00 PM

For families living in drought conditions, careful monitoring of water usage is especially important. With hands-on science and engineering projects, students can investigate water-saving strategies and science and engineering related to water conservation. Above: The effect of drought can be seen in the above photo of Folsom Lake. Image: California Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey. Remember "Ring around the rosie" and "Rain, rain, go away"? Familiar with the "jinx… Read more

Marinade Science: Weekly Science Activity

July 10, 2014 9:00 AM

In this week's spotlight: a food sciences family science experiment that investigates the way different ingredients make a difference in how well a marinade sticks to food. In this science activity, students simulate the process of soaking a food in a marinade by doing a controlled study with tofu, food dye, and four different ingredients that might be found in a marinade recipe. Setting up a set of standards for what the tofu looks like when soaked in different levels of dye concentration… Read more

Girls, Boys, Video Gaming, and Summer Survey Science

July 2, 2014 9:00 AM

What variables make a game popular with players, and do boys and girls choose different types of games? Design a survey-based science project this summer and do some statistical analysis of the data you gather. Your results might be eye opening and informative in terms of game design, the gaming industry, and what works and what doesn't depending on the audience. There are only three girls, as far as I know, in the clan in one of my current favorite games. With a staggering more than… Read more

Nick and Tesla Explore Robotics

July 1, 2014 12:00 PM

The science-savvy twins return in book two of the Nick and Tesla series. As their summer of intrigue and engineering continues, they find themselves in the middle of a small-town mystery and a bunch of robots. Along the way, they make their own—and you can, too! Fun with Robotics Engineering Like many beginning robotics engineers, Nick and Tesla build their own robots using toothbrush heads. Follow along as they design their bots, try out the DIY build from the book, and continue… Read more

Fun with Fireworks Science: When Chemicals Burn

June 30, 2014 7:00 AM

Fireworks displays are fun to watch and a tradition accompanying many community celebrations. With a simple family science activity, the mystery behind the dazzling night-time sky show can be explored. This is colorful hands-on summer science—minus the "boom" of fireworks explosions! What makes all the great colors you see during a fireworks display? Experiment with a fun backyard family science activity to see firsthand how different chemicals produce different colors when… Read more

Powering a Raft with Surface Tension: Weekly Science Activity

June 26, 2014 8:00 AM

In this week's spotlight: a physics family science experiment that investigates the dynamics of surface tension. Surface tension may keep your soda from spilling over the cup when you fill it a bit too full, but can surface tension also be used to propel something? In this science activity, students build a small, lightweight raft and experiment to see how surface tension—and some dish soap—can help move it across the surface of water. Build a Bathtub Toy Raft Powered by… Read more

Families and Fingerprints: Weekly Science Activity

June 12, 2014 10:00 AM

Experiment to find out if fingerprint patterns are inherited or not! In this week's spotlight: a genetics and genomics family science experiment for Father's Day. Fingerprints are unique, but do family members share fingerprint characteristics? Are there patterns of inheritance that come into play when it comes to fingerprints? Put the question to the test with a visual examination of fingerprints among siblings and between different family… Read more

Expanding and Contracting Gases: Weekly Science Activity

June 5, 2014 10:00 AM

In this week's spotlight: a chemistry family science experiment that guides students and families in an exploration of how gases behave, especially when they are cooled or heated. Many gases are invisible, but they are everywhere around us. By trapping gas in a balloon, you can investigate how the kinetic energy of a gas changes in response to temperature and how the change in the motion of the gas molecules makes the balloon shrink or expand. With some hands-on measurements, a bit of air… Read more

Science Activities: Fun Science Perfect for Home or School

June 2, 2014 6:00 AM

Science Buddies has added a new "activities" section to its award-winning science education website. The new science activities complement the existing library of science fair project ideas but bridge the gap between science "assignment" or "independent project" and doing science just for fun at home or in the classroom. These new activities appear just as summer break begins for many students, making the timing perfect for families looking to keep kids engaged with science all summer… Read more

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