SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
FUN AND GAMES!
Hey kids! Check out the information, news and activities on these cool sites:
Air and Flight:
Bugs, Birds and Animals:
Chemistry:
Energy:
Environmental:
General Science:
- 4 Kids
- Cool Science!
- Curiocity
- Discovery Kids
- How Stuff Works!
- Kids Do Ecology
- Kids National Geographics
- Try Science!
- Wonderville
- YAHOO Kids!
- ZOOM!
Optics, Light and Sound:
Space:
KIDZ LAB
Eye Spy the Science: Answers to your bookmark questions and more!
Can you identify three things for outer space?
Answers: Astronaut, Saturn, Telescope, Earth, Rocket
We study earth and space systems to learn more about our own planet and solar system and the millions of other planets, stars and other celestial bodies that make up the universe. If one day you'd like to work on space exploration, you could study astronomy, physics, or engineering. You could work on building spaceships, identifying planets or stars, or maybe even become an astronaut.
Hey Kids! Did you know that Scientists in School runs a contest called the Kidz Lab Challenge? This year the contest asks you to design a gadget to help Chris Hadfield on his trip to outer space. Check out the contest details on this page!
Can you identify three simple machines?
Answers: Pulley, Lever, Gears
Simple machines are tools that make work easier. If you like simple machines, you might want to study engineering or physics. An engineer uses science to design, build and test machines, structures and devices. Some engineers work on very small things like Nano scale materials, while others work on very large things like skyscrapers and bridges.
Can you identify three living things?
Answers: Leaves, Fish, Butterfly, Dragonfly, Cell
The study of living things is called biology. When you study biology, you can study life from the smallest organisms that are only visible with a high-powered microscope to the largest animals like whales, elephants and humans. Learn about biology and you could have a career in medicine or research. You could be a doctor or veterinarian, a wild-life or marine biologist, or a biomedical scientist searching for treatments and cures.
Can you identify three things a chemist would use?
Answers: Test tubes, Beaker, Atom, Mortar/Pestle, Periodic Table
Chemistry is the study of matter, particularly the atoms and molecules that make up everything in our world. Atoms interact with one another. Chemists study these interactions and manipulate them to create new substances or materials, energy, and even explosions! Learn chemistry and you could have a career making new medicines or materials, helping farmers grow crops, or finding ways to get rid of pollution.
Interested in doing some science activities at home? Why not try these:
- Is black really black?
- Make a cool chemical concoction that you can eat!
- What's cool about insects?
- The tie-dyed milk experiment!
2011/2012 KIDZ LAB CHALLENGE WINNERS!
In June, Scientists in School announced the winners of the 2011/12 Kidz Lab Challenge. More than 200 student scientists from across Ontario and Southern Alberta took on the challenge - to design and build a solar oven and use it to cook a pizza - helping Scientists in School celebrate the International year of Sustainable Energy for All.
Our young scientists, working alone or in groups, headed to their laboratories (their homes and classrooms) to design, modify, and build their ovens. Then they headed outside for the most important part of the challenge - the cooking test!
Scientists in School's judges reviewed hundreds of submissions that included the scientists' important documentation - drawings, photos, test data and recipes - and awarded prizes in four categories - yummiest savoury pizza recipe, yummiest sweet pizza recipe, most interesting oven, and most creative entry.
And the winners are:
Yummiest Savoury Pizza Recipe
Domenic receives his prize from Scientist Anne joined by his mom (left) and teacher, Ms. Assimi (right).
Scientist Domenic, Adam Beck Junior Public School, Toronto, Ontario. Scientist Domenic cooked a traditional Italian pizza in his solar oven including parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, prosciutto, and Portobello mushrooms.
Yummiest Sweet Pizza Recipe
Natalie receives her prize from Scientist Marion
Scientist Natalie, Harrison Public School, Georgetown, Ontario. Scientist Natalie cooked a dessert pizza in her solar oven covered in chocolate syrup, marshmallows, and chocolate chips.
Most Interesting Oven
Leo studies his and his classmates' fingerprints during Clued in to Forensic Science - the free workshop that he won for his class.
Scientist Leo, Michael Cranny Elementary School, Maple, Ontario. Scientist Leo created the Umbrella Cooker 3000, coating the inside of an open umbrella with aluminum foil to take advantage of the parabola's effective reflection of sunlight to cook his pizza.
Most Creative Entry
Mrs. Ormrod and her class celebrate their Kidz Lab Challenge win with Scientist Katie.
Twenty-three Grade 1 and 2 scientists in Mrs. Ormrod's class at Valley Farm Public School, Pickering Ontario. Mrs. Ormrod's class not only designed, built and tested more than a dozen functioning solar ovens, they also wrote and performed a song inspired by the challenge which they submitted on video.
Winners received a free Scientists in School workshop for their class, a class pizza party, and a gift basket of science activities.
The Kidz Lab Challenge can be a great addition to your class activities.
Project-based learning often appeals to kids who might not otherwise be as engaged in the classroom. One mother who wrote to us about the Kidz Lab Challenge, noted that her son, who is usually "shy and quiet," so enjoyed participating in the challenge that he gained confidence in the classroom. We've come to expect outcomes like this when kids have fun learning science.
The 2012-2013 Kidz Lab Challenge heads to Outer Space
On December 19, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield blasted off from earth in a Soyuz space capsule and, after a two-day trip, arrived at the International Space Station (ISS), an orbital laboratory that will be his home for six months. Hadfield and eight other astronauts and cosmonauts are conducting cool science experiments, testing innovative, new technologies, using the Canadarm2 to track and capture commercial cargo capsules, and participating in at least one spacewalk. In March, Hadfield will become the 1st Canadian Commander of the ISS, overseeing the mission.
To help celebrate this Canadian first - Scientists in School is offering the 2012-13 Kidz Lab Challenge. Kids - help Chris Hadfield by designing a gadget he could use on his trip to outer space.
Think about life in outer space. What tools, supplies, equipment, games, or toys would Chris need or enjoy? Put on your inventor's cap, get creative, and invent an original item that would help Chris on his mission.
The contest is open to all students who live in Scientists in School areas in Ontario and Alberta. All entries must be submitted by May 17, 2013.
Kidz Lab Entry Package (includes rules and regulations)
To learn more about Chris Hadfield's scientific mission aboard the International Space Station go to http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/missions/expedition34-35/
Follow Chris Hadfield on Twitter as he tweets from space: @Cmdr_Hadfield