Science Buddies Blog (Page 83)

Rocket Science: Weekly Science Project Idea/Home Science Activity Spotlight

July 3, 2013 9:24 AM

In this week's spotlight: a pair of projects that fit right in with U.S. 4th of July celebrations and let you get hands-on with "rocket" science at any time of the year. What happens when you combine vinegar and baking soda? A chemical reaction! If you contain the reaction in a small space like a film canister, you can get a high-flying blast from the combination—your own mini rocket. But how much of each ingredient do you need? Experiment with the ratio of vinegar and baking soda… Read more

Green Family Science: Pinpointing Constant Power Drain

July 2, 2013 8:52 AM

Are there energy vampires in your house? There are probably more things sucking on your household energy than you realize! This summer, band together with your students to analyze your family's power usage—and to see what steps you can take to make a difference in your family energy usage footprint. From stereos to gaming systems to chargers for all of your devices, you might be surprised at how many things are plugged in—and how much energy each uses, even when it is just sitting… Read more

Young Naturalist Wins Bio-Rad Essay Contest

July 1, 2013 5:00 AM

In an essay she wrote as part of a competition for a science scholarship offered by Bio-Rad Laboratories, this recent high school graduate and aspiring wildlife biologist evokes the spirit of John Muir as she describes her own passion for hands-on science and fieldwork. Above: Ashley Baughman, recipient of the Ron Mardigian scholarship, awarded by Bio-Rad Laboratories, on a trip to Pinnacles National Monument where she and classmates studied the endangered California Condor. For… Read more

Where's Waldo Science: Weekly Science Project Idea/Home Science Activity Spotlight

June 27, 2013 5:50 AM

In this week's spotlight: a pair of projects that investigate the science behind visual search. When you are looking for a specific car in a crowded parking lot, what makes it easier or more difficult to spot the car? What if you are looking for your keys, someone in a crowd, or something specific on the shelves at the grocery? Do you enjoy puzzles and seek-and-find style books and games that make a game or visual brain teaser out of "finding" something that is hidden in plain sight. like… Read more

Returning Student Mentor Shines in Science Help Forums

June 26, 2013 9:00 AM

Lexington, Kentucky student does an "outstanding" job helping respond to student science questions in Science Buddies' free Ask an Expert forums. The volunteer program gives top students a chance to contribute to science education by helping as part of a team of volunteer Experts. This year's winner balanced helping others with her own International Science and Engineering Fair-caliber science project. Valerie Sarge of Lexington, KY, received this year's Craig Sander Outstanding Mentor… Read more

Calling Naturalists of All Ages: Citizen Science Projects for the Whole Family

June 24, 2013 10:00 AM

Birds, frogs, ladybugs, and butterflies—these are a few examples of species in which growing waves of scientists are helping contribute to a global knowledge base. You and your family can, too! Have you or your kids spotted a ladybug recently? You may have watched your student observe the ladybug as it crawled around in her hand. Maybe there was even a small observational habitat created, for a half hour or so to see if the ladybug might eat a leaf (albeit a leaf a hundred or… Read more

Weekly Science Project Idea/Home Science Activity Spotlight: Shake Up Some Butter

June 20, 2013 10:00 AM

In this week's spotlight: a pair of projects that investigate the science of butter-making, a process you might even call butter-shaking! In these hands-on food science projects and activities, students make their own butter and investigate to find out what role (if any) temperature plays in the process. You and your family can shake up some butter to use with tomorrow's breakfast, but will you have better luck using cold or room-temperature cream? Get shaking to find… Read more

A Picture Book Look at the Engineering Spirit

June 18, 2013 4:30 PM

The desire to invent, innovate, tinker, make and build is not something limited to boys or girls, but that has not always been the case. This picture book story, based on the life of Margaret E. Knight, a female inventor and holder of one of the first patents issued to a woman in the U.S., paints a wonderful picture of a female engineer. Empowering Future Female Engineers by Example Marvelous Mattie is a great and very well-crafted story about Margaret E. Knight, a woman who began inventing… Read more

Avoid the Summer Slide: Bring on the Family and Home Science Projects!

June 17, 2013 11:00 AM

Boost your summer break with hands-on science the whole family can enjoy. From activities you can do with the kids in an afternoon, to projects you can set up as challenges for the kids to work on throughout the summer, summer science can help keep the summer doldrums—and summer brain drain—at bay. With its medley of lazy mornings, pool parties, crickets, and lemonade, summer break is here again. The hallmarks of summer break differ for every family, a recipe that gets tweaked… Read more

Create a Carnival of Robot Critters this Summer

June 14, 2013 10:26 AM

With a bit of planning, you can stock up on materials your students can use to create a cadre of cool robotic animals, bugs, and creatures this summer. Upcycled vibrating motors may be your best friend for inspiring hands-on engineering with your kids, but there are plenty of ways to turn off-the-shelf bots and the Mindstorms® kit you may already own into a foundation for fun summer science with a friendly "critter" twist. With school out, there are even more free hours in the day for… Read more

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