Family Science | Science Buddies Blog (Page 17)

Geodesic Gumdrop Dome: Weekly Science Activity

May 30, 2014 8:00 AM

In this week's spotlight: a civil engineering family science experiment that guides students in building a simple geodesic dome from candies and toothpicks (or tubes made from newspaper) and then exploring the shape. How strong is a geodesic dome? How much weight can it hold? Where in nature and architecture can you find examples of dome shapes? Build a Gumdrop Geodesic Dome (Science Buddies activity) Dome Sweet Dome (full Science Buddies Project Idea) Family Math: Making a Geodesic… Read more

Science-minded Twins in a Tale of Summer Intrigue

May 29, 2014 9:00 AM

Twins Nick and Tesla launch a homemade rocket right into the heart of an unexpected mystery in book one of this fun science and engineering-themed series for middle readers. Sent to stay with an uncle for the summer, the kids quickly find their DIY spirit and engineering wits are going to be key tools in helping unravel what's going on—and keeping them safe from the jaws of some very unfriendly guard dogs! When a book for readers in grades 4-7 starts out with a Danger! Danger! Danger!… Read more

A Super Science-filled Summer Break

May 20, 2014 9:00 AM

Ready or not... into the summer break we go. With school (almost) out for the summer, take stock of some great science activities and challenges that are perfect to help keep kids engaged and actively learning during the break. Science may be even more fun when it is "just for fun"! The long summer break can feel bittersweet for parents who worry about their students whiling away countless hours on the couch or in front of a screen and losing academic ground. Beyond the buzz of vacations and… Read more

Pinwheel Science: Weekly Science Activity

May 15, 2014 12:00 PM

In this week's spotlight: an energy-focused family science experiment that explores the relationship between the potential power of a wind turbine and the source and location of the wind. Using a pinwheel, students create their own horizontal-axis wind turbine and experiment to see how the pinwheel spins when the wind comes at it from different directions—and how this translates into how much weight the wind turbine can lift. A pinwheel is a simple example of a wind turbine, but with… Read more

Durable Paper Dolls: Materials Science Meets Creative Pastime

May 12, 2014 8:00 AM

Joints give paper dolls added life and let little fingers manipulate characters as they play out their roles in an imaginative storyline. But joints also add potential hot spots for damage. A plastic toy figurine may lose its arm, head, or hair, but the life of a paper doll may be even more short-lived! A new hands-on science activity helps kids experiment with paper dolls by putting the durability of certain design and materials choices to the test. Once the best approach is scientifically… Read more

Magic Train Puts Kids on Track with Physics of Magnetism

May 9, 2014 8:24 AM

Assembling a simple wooden train and track with cleverly placed magnetic strips lets kids experiment with a train that levitates off the track and zips effortlessly from one end to the other when pushed. What happens when you add a bit of weight? Put the science question to the test in this fun hands-on science activity and experiment. The allure of a magic trick is something pretty cool to most kids. The quarter pulled from behind the ear. It's a classic sleight of hand passed down by… Read more

Bath Bombs Chemistry: Family Science Activity Spotlight

May 8, 2014 9:10 AM

In this week's spotlight: a family science experiment that promises fizzy fun in the tub (or in a big bucket of hot water). Bath bombs are easy to make at home. You can mix up your own using your choice of additives with the core ingredients. But what makes a bath bomb "fizz" when it hits the water? In this science activity, students experiment with the recipe for making a bath bomb and investigate the role of corn starch and citric acid in the process. What is the… Read more

Ball Dribbling Science: Weekly Science Project Idea and Home Science Activity Spotlight

May 1, 2014 10:00 AM

In this week's spotlight: a sports science that looks at the physics of what is going on when you dribble a basketball. After you push the ball to the floor, the ball meets the floor or court and then returns, but it doesn't necessarily return to the same height. What does the surface of the floor have to do with how a ball bounces when dribbled, how much effort a player has to use to keep the ball dribbling uniformly, and what is going on with the energy of the ball in motion? Put it to… Read more

Ice Cream Science: Weekly Science Project Idea and Home Science Activity Spotlight

April 25, 2014 10:00 AM

In this week's spotlight: a food science family science experiment and independent student science fair project that takes a deeper look at the chilly process of making ice cream. You can make your own ice cream using one of a variety of shaking or rolling processes, including using a baggy to hold the ingredients! How does adding salt to the ice mixture used to freeze the ingredients affect the process? Make your own ice cream to find out! Chemistry of Ice-Cream Making: Lowering the… Read more

Family Fun with Physics: Launching Plastic Eggs with the Ping Pong Catapult

April 18, 2014 8:00 AM

The ping pong catapult is a great device for independent student science projects, but this is a tool you can use again and again—even as the basis for a fun afternoon or weekend family science activity. We put the rubber band catapult to use with a bag of plastic eggs for some high-flying family physics fun! The Ping Pong Catapult has been used as the basis of a number of innovative physics, math, and sports science projects at Science Buddies.… Read more

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