Science Buddies Blog (Page 61)

Students 3D Design and Print Their Own Robots with Autodesk Tinkercad

April 10, 2015 10:00 AM

Being able to translate ideas into 3D models that can be printed and used is an important skill for students with an interest in design and engineering. A recent robotics workshop gave students in New Jersey the opportunity to experiment with 3D design and then to see their models printed as real-life parts they could use in building their individual robots. Above: Participants at a SoHa SMART workshop explored 3D design by designing their own custom bodies for their robots. Students… Read more

Stretchy Rubber Band Science: Weekly Science Activity

April 9, 2015 11:45 AM

What happens to a rubber band's elasticity when the temperature changes? What happens when you heat up or cool down a bunch of molecules? Any exceptions? In this weekly mechanical engineering-themed family science activity, students experiment to find out how rubber bands respond to heating and cooling. Because rubber bands are made of polymer chains, the results may be surprising because a heated rubber band may do the opposite of what you expect! Get… Read more

What Shape is a Hard-boiled Egg?

April 2, 2015 10:00 AM

Hard-boiling and dyeing eggs is a Spring tradition in many households. This year, give your hard-boiled eggs a twist and turn ordinary ovoid hard-boiled eggs into fun shapes! The trick to the transformation is understanding the science behind the process of hard-boiling. Raw eggs are oval in shape. Hard-boiled eggs are made from raw eggs. Therefore hard-boiled eggs must be oval in shape, right? Your basic logic primer might suggest this syllogism is… Read more

Bubbly Soda Science: Weekly Science Activity

March 31, 2015 1:00 PM

Making your own carbonated beverage can be a lot of fun. How much fizz do you like? What flavor? How sweet? The process of carbonating water and serving up a custom beverage is easier than ever before thanks to commonly available household devices like Sodastream®. But a pressurized approach to creating a carbonated beverage is not the only way to prepare a refreshing soda-style drink. With a few simple ingredients, students can experiment with mixing up their own… Read more

A Farmer's Dilemma: To Till or Not To Till

March 30, 2015 10:51 AM

As winter turns to spring, farmers are preparing to plant this year's crops. For some, tilling their fields is a thing of the past. By Kim Mullin Photo: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service When you think of a farmer at work in the fields, do you picture a tractor pulling a plow and turning the soil? In my mind, it is a red tractor, and the soil is rich and dark. For many people, turning the soil may be an obvious part of growing crops. Of course it is required! … Read more

Fascinating Physics of Fluids and Surface Movement

March 26, 2015 12:31 PM

Mesmerizing video puts the physics of liquid in motion. Students and families can explore related science with hands-on activities that are fun to do at home or in the classroom. Image: screenshot from video that accompanies "Tiny Internal Tornadoes Bring Drops to Life," New York Times. (Click to view video and read the article.) A recent article by James Gorman in the New York Times showcases fascinating research related to the behavior and movement of fluids. In the video (linked… Read more

Guess What's Inside: Rock Science

March 19, 2015 9:05 AM

Have you and your kids ever cracked open a geode to reveal the crystals inside? This is a great way to add something special to a prized rock collection and can be a lot of fun for kids who are interested in geology, rocks, or crystals. Learn more about how to predict what's inside a geode with a hands-on, family-friendly rock science project. Above: The colorful inside of an amethyst geode. Source: Wikipedia. A few years ago, my family visited Mammoth Cave in KY. After our… Read more

Talking Pi and Pie for Pi Day

March 13, 2015 10:52 AM

Pi Day is a great excuse to make some math- and food-related Pi puns and bake up a tasty dessert. We suggest you throw a bit of science into the mix as well! Photo: Dennis Wilkinson, Flickr. Tomorrow, March 14, 2014 is Pi Day, and we hate to let a Pi Day go by without an extra nod of the head to Pi, in all its varieties. Whether you celebrate Pi Day with a brief recitation of the digits of Pi you know, with a homemade or store-bought pie you can eat, or with pizza, we encourage you to… Read more

Putting Together a Science Fair Project Display Board

March 9, 2015 5:00 AM

The project display board is how you present your project at the science fair. What goes into a well-organized and effective science fair project display board? For additional information related to doing a science fair project display board (and keeping notes along the way that make the whole process even easier), see the following: Science Fair Project Display Boards Perfecting the Project Display Board Get a Jump Start on the Project Display… Read more

How Low Can You Go? Melting Road Ice

March 4, 2015 11:00 AM

Dropping the freezing point of water can help keep roads free of ice, making them safer for driving. What are the best tools for the job? By Kim Mullin In the eastern United States, this winter's Arctic temperatures and non-stop snowstorms have kept snowplow drivers on their toes. Snow and ice reduce friction between car tires and the road, making it slippery and more dangerous to drive, so snowplow drivers' hard work is essential. Even if people are advised to stay off the roads,… Read more

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