Activities | Science Buddies Blog (Page 13)

Density Column Science

May 26, 2016 12:15 PM

Compare the density of different liquids by making a colorful density column at home! Why do some liquids sit on top of each other, and others do not? Find out with a hands-on science project that lets kids see how different liquids "stack up." Not all liquids have the same density. But what does this mean? Scientists define density as mass divided by volume. In the same amount of space (or volume), some substances have more mass than others. A liquid… Read more

Mini Trebuchet Science

May 19, 2016 4:30 AM

When you build your own mini trebuchet from craft materials, launching projectiles becomes a source of scientific exploration! Explore physics and engineering while you learn more about this medieval tool. In this week's family-friendly physics activity, kids bring a medieval siege tool to life when they build their own mini trebuchet. While similar in concept to a catapult—they both launch projectiles—a trebuchet differs from a catapult… Read more

Celebrate Engineers Week with 15+ Hands-on STEM Projects

February 22, 2016 6:30 AM

Science Buddies has great ideas for engineering projects and activities you can do with your students to celebrate Engineers Week. With the right project, integrating a hands-on STEM activity is something all teachers can do! Marble Machine Art Bot: Build a Wobbly Robot That Creates Art Balloon-Powered Car Challenge Build a Gumdrop Geodesic Dome Milk Does Your Body and a Boat Good—Design Your… Read more

Fruit Juice Distillation

January 28, 2016 10:30 AM

Explore the process of distillation with a kitchen chemistry activity using fruit juice. What role does boiling the juice play in the process? Mixing water (a solvent) and sugar (a solute) together will give you a solution, a homogenous mixture in which the solute has completely dissolved. You can reverse the process and separate the solution back into its parts using distillation. (Note: there are some solutions for which distillation does not work!) In this week's… Read more

Projectile Physics and Catapult Science

January 22, 2016 2:00 PM

Explore the physics behind a catapult with a simple DIY catapult at home. Catapults have been used throughout history as a way to launch something from point A to point B, sometimes over castle walls and sometimes into things. Experimenting with a catapult and launching objects at a target can be fun for families or classes, and a catapult activity invites discussion of both the physics and math at work in the way a catapult operates and in how… Read more

Carbon Filters and Adsorbing Science

January 12, 2016 1:54 PM

Explore the science behind a carbon filter with a fun hands-on family STEM activity. Now you see the color... and now you don't! Water filters that use activated carbon can help "clean" water. You might be able to see the difference the filter makes, but not always. In this week's family science activity, families can explore the way these filters work with a colorful hands-on project that makes stripping the color from a sports drink or colored soda… Read more

Make Sharpie Tie-Dye Ornaments!

December 23, 2015 8:20 AM

With a few simple materials on hand and Sharpie® markers, kids can turn scraps of fabric or plastic into works of art. Sharpie Tie-Dye is a great way to add colorful and creative STEM to the holidays and winter break. Creative Chemistry with Sharpie Tie-Dye: Hands-on STEM with Science Buddies. www.sciencebuddies.org Pairing science, technology, engineering, and math exploration with creative hands-on projects and activities is a great way to get… Read more

A Geodesic Dome for the Season

December 16, 2015 7:00 AM

Making a geodesic dome is always fun, no matter what materials you choose! With gumdrops and toothpicks, kids can make a dome and explore the math behind the structure. You can also upsize to straws or rolled newspaper! Make your own geodesic dome with the Build a Gumdrop Geodesic Dome family-friendly science activity. Explore other dome-related projects and posts at Science Buddies: Candy Corn Geodesic Dome Dome Sweet Dome Family Math:… Read more

Fun Science Picks for Winter Break

December 15, 2015 9:36 AM

The winter break from school leaves many kids with time on their hands. Hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities can inspire and excite your kids. With with fun STEM activities like these on hand, everyone can enjoy family science. Make it a winter break tradition! Squishy Circuits: Light Up Your Play Doh® Creations! Build a Gumdrop Geodesic Dome Paper Circuits: Make Electrifying Art The Amazing Floating Train Make an… Read more

Explore Radioactive Decay with Coins

December 3, 2015 2:45 PM

Explore the science of radioactive decay with a safe hands-on family STEM activity. As radioactive materials decay, or break down, they emit radiation that may be harmful. Unfortunately, the amount of time it takes for a radioactive material to decay varies. Scientists talk about the rate of decay in terms of the material's "half-life." Some materials have a very short half-life and others have a very long half-life. In this week's family science activity, students can simulate… Read more

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