Science Buddies Blog (Page 104)

Sorting Things Out with Paper Chromatography

March 2, 2011 9:04 AM

In the above image, the green color in a plant leaf has been separated into its various pigments using thin layer chromatography. You can see the bands of separate pigments, further distinguished by the change in color. Source: Wikipedia On our Facebook page, we've been tracking important dates in science history, including the birth dates of notable scientists, researchers, engineers, and mathematicians. If you're not already a member… Read more

pH Concerns for Hungarian Farmers

February 23, 2011 8:00 AM

Heavy metals left from red mud, the pH of soil, and other agricultural issues. The after-effects of Hungary's red mud disaster are still unknown. Concerns over the coming year's crops are high. (Image source: WHO/Roger Aertgeerts) Last October, we watched as "red sludge" (or "red mud," as it has come to be known) poured across Hungary, flooding local waterways and flowing steadily toward the Danube. Emergency crews raced to minimize the… Read more

A Video View of the Elements

February 21, 2011 10:58 AM

The deadline has passed for entering the Chemical Heritage Foundation's "It's Elemental" video contest, but voting is underway! In recognition of the2011 International Year of Chemistry, the Chemical Heritage Foundation invited students to submit videos about the elements of the periodic table. Click an element from the chart to see the videos students created—and to learn more about a specific element. You'll find video coverage of familiar and favorite elements, like Hydrogen,… Read more

Participating in a California Science Fair?

February 17, 2011 1:02 PM

If you use the Science Buddies website and are participating in one of the following California science fairs, please leave a "comment" (below) or email us at [email protected]: We are hoping to talk to students at these fairs, especially students who are presenting projects from the Science Buddies library of Project Ideas! San Mateo Science, Math, & Technology Fair San Francisco Middle School Science Fair Sciencepalooza! Marin County Secondary Science Fair Synopsys… Read more

Plants on the Move?

February 16, 2011 9:16 AM

Your plants may appear to be still, but they are actually constantly in motion! Their movements are just very slow, and it can be easy to overlook what might amount to very small changes and adjustments in angle or direction. (Image source: Wikipedia) If there's snow in the forecast where you live, it may seem early to start thinking about spring and gardening. But, now, when the ground is still hard and cold, is a great time to give your green thumb a pre-season boost by soaking up some… Read more

What is... Watson?

February 14, 2011 4:52 PM

What would you have made Watson "look like"? Check out IBM's video coverage of what was involved in giving Watson both a "face" and a "voice" for the Jeopardy! Competition. "I'll take "Artificial Intelligence" for $1000, please." Jeopardy! fans will be tuning in February 14-16 to see IBM's computer contestant, Watson, face off against the brain-power, trivia recall, and quick (thumb) reflexes of two of Jeopardy's all-time top winners, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. Jennings holds the record… Read more

The "Shock" of Static Electricity

February 10, 2011 8:00 AM

Static electricity can make your hair stand on end. Source: Chris Darling, Wikpedia Ahhh.... winter. Snowpeople. Snowy days home from school. Hats, mittens, and scarves. Hot chocolate. And static electricity. Zap! That's right, it's during the winter months that you are most likely to shock yourself on a door knob or when opening the refrigerator. And when you pull off your hat or pull on a sweater, your hair might just stand on end. Boing! After getting zapped ten or a hundred times, you… Read more

State of the Union Speech Celebrates Science Fair

January 27, 2011 10:21 AM

State of the Union address, Jan. 25, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) Are you tuning in to the Super Bowl? Are you participating in your school's science fair? Both are exciting. One can change the future. Students in the middle of experiments and trials and data analysis for their science projects may or may not have been listening earlier this week when President Obama delivered the State of the Union address. But there were four students on hand and sitting with… Read more

Google's Global Virtual Science Fair

January 18, 2011 10:46 AM

The first Google Science Fair is happening this year! Designed to be an all-inclusive competition, Google Science Fair 2011 open to students ages 13-18, worldwide. Students are eligible to participate either as individuals or in teams of up to three. Submissions will be accepted until April 4, 2011. In May, 60 semi-finalists will be announced, and their projects will be posted online for public viewing. The public will have the opportunity to vote for the "People's Choice" award. Great… Read more

Desks Piled High, and Lizards for Lunch

January 14, 2011 8:24 AM

Potential Scientific Discovery "Piled" Up on Desks and Tucked Away in Cabinets Wikimedia Commons: Photographer: FranÃ§ois MEY; Herbarium: Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle Herbaria refers to collections of dried plant specimens. These specimens are often mounted and then filed away. Oxford's herbaria, for example, contains approximately a million specimens. In any herbaria, it is common to find some samples that have not yet been identified. According to Dr. Robert… Read more

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