Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Liquefaction & Seismic Activity
Earthquake damage can be intensified in areas that are subject to soil liquefaction. For example, in these areas, soil movement may cause foundations to collapse, while structures in nearby areas built on more stable soil or bedrock may...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Under Pressure: Ball Bouncing Dynamics
Many sports use a ball in some way or another. We throw them, dribble them, hit them, kick them, and they always bounce back. What makes a ball so bouncy? In this experiment you can investigate the effect of air pressure on ball bouncing.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: The Tree of Life Ii (Advanced)
Imagine that a biologist arrived at your big family reunion and had no idea who were sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc., but tried to sort it out by how all of you look. Just based on how you look, would s/he be able to guess whether...
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Science Buddies: Computational Exploration of Protein Function
The DNA in our cells contains our "blueprints," but it's the proteins in our cells that do most of the work. The Human Genome Project has allowed us to start reading the blueprints, but we still don't understand what most of the proteins...
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Science Buddies: Dice Probabilities
You're playing Monopoly with a friend, and you've already got Park Place and you really, really want to get Boardwalk. If you're on Pacific Avenue, what are the chances you'll reach your goal? Here's an easy project that will show you...
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Science Buddies: Solid Motor Rocket Propulsion
What does it take to launch a satellite to explore Mars, or a mission to the moon? This project has several possible variations for exploring the physics of rockets. This is rocket science.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: The Birthday Paradox
This project shows how mathematical probability sometimes contradicts our intuition. Despite the fact that there are 365 days in a year, if you survey a random group of just 23 people there is a 50:50 chance that two of them will have...
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Science Buddies: Using the Soho to Determine the Rotation of the Sun
This project shows you how to use images from an orbiting observatory to measure how fast the Sun rotates.
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Science Buddies: Germ Invasion
Microbes are everywhere in our environment, but for the most part they escape our notice. This project shows you how to safely culture and study common bacteria from your everyday surroundings.
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Science Buddies: Bacterial Transformation Efficiency
Is it possible to take advantage of microorganism's sophisticated makeup, short doubling times and cheap growth media to mass produce medically and commercially useful proteins? This is possible with a few simple genetic manipulations....
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Does a Cell Phone Conversation Affect Reaction Time?
Does talking on a cell phone make one a more dangerous driver? Here is an experiment you can do to investigate whether reaction time is adversely affected by a simultaneous phone conversation.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Blas Ting Flu Viruses
Remember going to the doctor and getting vaccine shots? It's no fun getting poked with a needle, but fortunately, a vaccine gives you protection against a serious illness for years to come. This project will show you why.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Camera Lens Testing
This activity helps students learn more about cameras, and how to take better pictures.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: The Tree of Life I (Basic)
Imagine that a biologist arrived at your big family reunion and had no idea who were sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc., but tried to sort it out by how all of you look. Just based on how you look, would s/he be able to guess whether...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Using a Laser to Measure the Speed of Light in Jello
Think it takes expensive, sophisticated equipment to measure the speed of light? Think again. Outfit yourself with a simple handheld laser pointer, a protractor, and Jell-O, and you're ready to get started.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Learning Your A, G, C's (And T, Too)
This is a project about the "molecular alphabet" of DNA. With just four "letters," it manages to keep track of the plan for an entire person, and keep a complete copy in nearly every cell. This project will help you start learning this...
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Science Buddies: Jumping Distance
With this Science Buddies experiment, you will see if you can jump farther if you increase the distance you run before you jump The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and...
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Science Buddies: The Design Process: Creating a Stronger Truss
This is an interesting project that explores which geometrical shapes make the strongest bridge truss structures. It is a good introduction to the engineering design process. You'll design three different trusses, and use online...
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Science Buddies: Rise to the Occasion: Investigating Yeast Fermentation
Did you ever wonder how yeast makes bread dough rise? This project will show you what yeast does to make this happen. You'll also investigate the conditions yeast needs to grow.
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Science Buddies: Divide and Conquer: Proving Pick's Theorem for Lattice Polygons
If you like to play Tetris then you might like this project. You'll learn something interesting about the mathematics of complex shapes.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Are Antibodies Used for Blood Typing?
The human immune system has various ways of responding to an infection caused by bacteria or viruses. Our bodies produce proteins (antibodies) that are highly specific for the infectious agent as a part of our "humoral" immune response....
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Science Buddies: Throwing You Some Curves: Is Red or Blue Longer?
This a straightforward, but interesting, project in geometry. It is a good first proof to try on your own. You should be able to figure it out by yourself, and you'll gain insight into a basic property of circles.
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Science Buddies: Build a Motorboat Powered by Surface Tension
If you look carefully, you could find dozens of similar interesting phenomena that are all linked to the surface tension of water. Here is a project that will help you understand and measure the properties of water surface tension.
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Science Buddies: How Fast Can You Shoot a Hockey Puck?
In this project, you'll need: a puck, a hockey stick, a tape measure, at least one helper with a stopwatch and an empty rink. Have your friend start the watch just as you make contact with the puck, and stop it when the puck hits the...