Our Small Planet
You can usually use Ctrl+ and Ctrl- to zoom in and out. While I'm sure you've looked at a globe before, you may not have really thought about the world we live on. So, take a good look as it spins for us below and let's really think about it. [spinningearth size=300 wrap=left color=ffffff] The first thing that may catch your eye is Australia as it comes into view. Over 22 million people live there. Right away, China comes into the picture, with a population of over 1.3 billion. If you know your geography, you'll pick out India and Saudi Arabia just as immense Africa swings ...
The Invisible Force of Magnets
Magnets are very cool. Put them together one way and they'll stick. Turn one around and they'll push apart. But did you ever really play with two strong magnets and think about it? Get two strong magnets. Some Radio Shack and hardware stores have nice ones that are about an inch wide, two inches long, and under a half-inch thick. If you find them, buy several as they'll come in handy to hold papers on the fridge! Hold a magnet in each hand and bring them together so they repel each other. Feel the way they move as you gently feel the ...
The View From Space
It's not until we get high above the Earth that we see how small and very precious our world really is. We live on the surface of the Earth, with our deepest digging and drilling only scratching the surface. There's just a thin film of air to let us breath and, at the same time, protect us from the harsh radiation of the sun and beyond. Amazing to think about. There's a lot to explore when we look from space at the Earth as a planet. This video uses time-lapse photography to give us a look at the big picture over long periods of time. ...
The Colors of the Rainbow
When light goes through glass at an angle, it spreads out into all the colors of the rainbow. You can do this easily at home yourself with a glass of water and a sunny window. In front of a window where the sun is shining, place a clear glass of water on the edge of a table. Put a sheet of white paper on the floor where the rainbow will appear. Move the glass and the paper to get the best view. As the sunlight hits the water, the light is bent downward, spreading out to make a rainbow. This is called refraction and ...
Static Electricity is Cool
This most excellent hairdo is thanks to thousands of volts of static electricity! Not to worry, it's harmless. Well, almost harmless as it can give you a pretty good good snap! :-) Did you ever get out of the car in the winter and get a shock? Yep! That's static electricity. In future posts, you'll find several great science experiments with static electricity on this site that I hope you'll try yourself. For now, try this one: Take a tissue and tear off several little bits of paper onto the table. A half-dozen will do. Now blow up a balloon and rub it on your ...
Cool Chemistry
The beakers and flasks we use in chemistry always look so... cool! But they have those shapes for a reason. The tall cylinders have markings to measure exact amounts of liquid. The triangle-shaped flask allows you to hold the top and swirl the liquids together without spilling them out the top. Beakers, with their straight sides and pour spouts, are best for mixing chemicals with a glass stirring rod. Their open cup shape is good for holding a chemical reaction. Here's an experiment using a flask and beaker. It shows how color can change as the chemicals react with each other over ...
Welcome Message
Welcome
We’re glad you found us! Here you’ll find fun and age-appropriate experiments and resources for your own Junior Scientist. Whether you’re starting out with a dinosaur-loving three year old or have a science-loving preteen, you’ll find activities to amuse and educate them both. There may be some surprises for the grown-ups, too! Check the...
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Science Experiments
Static Flash
This is a good project to try in the winter when the air is dry. It’s another way to use static electricity to make light flash in your hands. Simple to do, all you need is a...
Ghostly After-Image Effect
No, there aren’t any ghosts! But this does look kind of spooky. Would you like to see things when it’s totally dark? This strange trick for your eyes only lasts a few...
Paper Folding Trick
There’s an old gag that challenges someone to fold a dollar bill in half eight times. If they can do it, they get to keep it. The trick is that it gets so thick, so fast, that...
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Science Projects
Squawker Cup
Making science fun for your young scientist is always a bonus! This is a quick and easy-to-make project that will make their eyes go wide. All you need is a plastic cup, a button...
The Bathtub Bomb
Here’s a fun little experiment to try on a dreary day! All you need is a plastic zip-lock bag, some vinegar, and a little baking soda. You may remember that these two everyday...
Mobius strip
You can, right now, make one of the most puzzling things in the world. Take a sheet of printer paper and cut a one inch strip from the long side. Get ready to tape the ends together...
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Science Videos
Feynman’s FatherThis clip of Richard Feynman discussing inertia is notable for two reasons.
First, he explains inertia in a wonderfully clear manner.
But, even better to me, is the way his father answered his questions. It made the young Richard run back to his wagon to observe for himself what his father had said.
This is the way to be with your own young scientist… “No pressure. Just lovely, interesting discussions.”
How magnets are made
Ever wonder how magnets are made? This is an excellent clip of how they do it.
How-to videos are valuable for showing us that a lot of thought, imagination, and science skills have to be used together to bring us all the things we have today.
I love watching things like this!
Beautiful Saturn
This is an amazing video created from individual still photos taken by the Cassini spacecraft on its journey to explore Saturn and its moons. If you’re able, click the lower right corner of the video to watch it in full-screen HD.
You can read more about the Cassini mission here and more about the making of this video into an IMAX film here.
5.6k Saturn Cassini Photographic Animation from stephen v2 on Vimeo.
This is a good way to show your young scientist the meaning of the word, “awesome” in the true sense of the word as this does inspire awe.
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One Minute Astronomer
Discover the night sky with
your own Young Scientist...
Click here to learn more Current Moon Phase – Becoming more full day by day
Waxing Gibbous Moon The moon is currently in Virgo The moon is 10 days old -
