Science Buddies Blog (Page 104)

Summer Science Programs

March 10, 2011 10:29 AM

Roller coasters? Pinball machine design? Model planes? Stop motion animation? Renewable energy? "Myth-busting" (putting those science stories to the test)? Video game programming? Kite flying? Greenhouse gardening? Cooking? Photography? Medicine? Animal care? Biochemistry? Architecture? Earthquake detection? Wind power? Geo-sciences? Aqueduct and river ways engineering? Robotics? Invisible ink and spies-like-us skills? When it comes to summer science, that's just the tip of the… Read more

DIY Musical Instruments

March 9, 2011 9:02 AM

[Note: The following list of projects appeared in the May 2010 Science Buddies Newsletter. To view the full newsletter, which was all about the science of music, click here. Parents, you'll find great at-home music science projects in that issue as well!] Sometimes, rolling up your sleeves and recreating the wheel really is the best way to understand from the inside out what is happening, how something works, and what the science at hand really means. Patience, ingenuity, and a DIY… Read more

A "Science Mom" Thumbs-Up Science Detectives Series

March 7, 2011 12:43 PM

One mom's view of the value of science-themed chapter books like Doyle and Fossey. Image source: screenshot from video trailer of The Case of the Terrible T. Rex. We love our math and our science and our computers in our house, and when we see a description of a coin launcher made from a toilet paper roll and a piece of leftover balloon, it sticks in our heads until we try it. (Of course, concerned about the relative weight of a coin flying through… Read more

Natalie Portman: A Winning Combination

March 4, 2011 3:42 PM

The President's comments aside, if the big screen is more your game than the Super Bowl, and if you go starry-eyed over the red-carpet, then you might have been watching last week as Natalie Portman (making style lists for her purple dress, as well) took home the golden statue for her lead role in Black Swan, a thriller with an obsessed ballerina, and a production of the classic Swan Lake, at its dark heart. You may not have seen Black Swan (rated R), but you probably know Portman's… Read more

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

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