Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Cryopreservation: Freezing Plant Tissues
Cryopreservation-storing seeds in ultra-cold liquid nitrogen-is one method for maintaining plant genetic stocks in seed banks. The purpose of this project is to observe the characteristics and outcomes of cryogenically frozen seedlings...
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Science Buddies: Planting Size vs. Depth
Plants have evolved many clever mechanisms to ensure that their seeds will wait for appropriate conditions before sprouting. Some may only germinate after a fire, others only after going through a cold spell. This project explores one...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Testing How Fashion Impacts the Behavior of Others Around Us
There's an old saying that "the clothes make the man" (or woman, we're quick to add nowadays). How true do you think this is? Here's a project with one approach for finding out.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Are There Dangerous Levels of Lead in Local Soil?
The element lead is a neurotoxin that is particularly dangerous to young children. Among other uses, lead compounds were common paint additives until being phased out for safer titanium-based additives beginning in the 1960's. Lead...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Predicting the Weather
Here's a good way to get yourself on TV. This science fair project will help you learn how to predict the weather. So who knows, maybe you'll be more accurate than your local meteorologist.
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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.
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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.
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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: Forensic Science: Building Your Own Tool for Identifying Dna
When biologists want to separate different pieces of DNA, RNA, or proteins they use a technique called gel electrophoresis. In this science project you'll build a gel electrophoresis chamber and use it to discover how many components are...
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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....
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...