Family Science | Science Buddies Blog (Page 30)

Family Science: Pinholes and Safe Solar Viewing

May 21, 2012 12:13 PM

Creating a pinhole projector for the eclipse encourages hands-on family science—and offers a lesson in perseverance. Family science doesn't always turn out exactly as planned, but everyone learns something along the way. Tubes, tape, and a pinhole lead to unexpected reflections of the eclipse for this family. I am not a scientist. I am a writer who works for Science Buddies, and so I approached yesterday's eclipse not as one of my scientist colleagues might, but as a mom who tries… Read more

Parent Perspective: Understanding Your Role in Your Student's Science Project

May 1, 2012 8:58 AM

Watching kids trying to create super bubbles reinforces the importance of hands-on learning for this science mom—and reminds her that parents should watch but not take over. Image: Bigstock. A trip to the science museum strikes a chord for a science mom contemplating her role as a parent supporting her son as he tackles his first school science project. Interested in exploring bubble science with your students? Blow the Best Bubbles from Scientific American's Bring Science… Read more

The Wonder of Bioluminescence: Organisms that Glow

April 19, 2012 4:22 PM

Many beaches and waters glow blue or green thanks to marine organisms that create their own light as a result of a biochemical reaction. The above photo, taken by photographer August Bach at Grayton Beach, shows "waves" of glowing blue light cast by bioluminescent organisms along the Florida shore. The image below shows the startling bioluminescence of the Panellus Stipticus fungus. Visitors to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City can see firsthand photos of… Read more

Learning from Worms

April 9, 2012 11:35 AM

April showers bring May flowers, or so the saying goes. But if you look closely, you'll find that April showers also bring creepers, slimers, wrigglers, and crawlers out in force. Every student's and every parent's tolerance level for organisms like insects, arthropods, annelids, and isopods varies. But the simple fact is "bugs" are everywhere—and some of them, like many kinds of worms, play an important role in habitat webs and biospheres. Students can learn a lot about by observing… Read more

Putting Your Eggs All in One (Dye) Basket

April 2, 2012 10:29 AM

A year after an egg-based impromptu family science exploration, this science mom prepares for the next phase of her family's hard-boiled egg and dye bath testing: natural dyes. The process of hard-boiling and dyeing eggs offers a great chance for informal, at-home, science exploration. The eggs shown above were dyed using an assortment of natural ingredients and showcase a range of colors that can be achieved by experimenting with fruits, plants, and spices. Image: Emily Weaver… Read more

Shhhh...Don't Tell Your Kids Camp is Good for Them!

March 21, 2012 3:46 PM

By Kim Mullin Children may feel like summer vacation is a distant dream, but July will be here before we know it. A summer science program can be the start of a lifelong interest and an enthusiasm about science that can continue into the school year. Science Program Leaders and Directors: The MOST-Science project needs your help! The nationwide research study is taking a comprehensive look at youth science opportunities that take place outside of school. Visit the MOST-Science website… Read more

New Paper Plane Record

March 2, 2012 12:52 PM

A plane designed by John Collins set a new world record last week. Thrown by former football quarterback Joe Ayoob, the plane flew 226 feet, 10 inches in an indoor hangar on the McClellan Air Force Base, breaking the previous record by more than 19 feet! Paper Planes Folding paper airplanes is an age-old and ageless pastime. How many planes does the average person fold in a lifetime? How many have you folded? Probably more than you can count! While not everyone can fold or… Read more

Arsenic and Rice

February 27, 2012 11:49 AM

If you think arsenic poisoning is something relegated to the pages of mystery novels, think again. Arsenic may be in foods you routinely eat—but it's undetectable by taste or smell. How much arsenic in your diet is safe? Number 33 on the periodic table, arsenic is a naturally-occurring heavy metal—and a much-used poison throughout history. Because it appears in the soil, arsenic may be lingering in foods you and your family frequently eat. Recent research raises questions… Read more

Science Buddies Helps Scientific American Bring Science Home

February 20, 2012 9:02 AM

Image: Wikipedia Visitors to Scientific American's Bring Science Home section are treated to an exciting array of activities that encourage families to explore hands-on science. Thanks to an ongoing content partnership between Science Buddies and Scientific American, many of these activities have been created by Science Buddies as fast, family-friendly guided explorations based on our longer science Project Ideas for students. Note: STEM activities can now be found in a dedicated… Read more

Licorice Root, Please

January 24, 2012 10:45 AM

Licorice root may help fight cavities and other oral health problems, but most "licorice" candies are actually flavored with anise. Image source: Pikaluc, Wikipedia. Willing to try a licorice-based toothpaste? When it comes to candy, certain flavors fall into a category that tends to require a more sophisticated palate. That's my decidedly non-scientific assessment having watched my own kids and their love-hate (mostly hate) relationship with all things "mint," something to which… Read more

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