Monday, May 1, 2023

Best summer science experiments

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5/1/23

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Coming Soon

In the home stretch of the school year, it can be easier to fantasize about summertime than focus on science — but why not do both? Check out Science Buddies’ lineup of summer science activities: here and also here. They’ve got projects inspired by superheroes and experiments that will make you feel like a wizard. Plus, projects you can eat and ones that involve making artwork.

For more ideas, see Science Buddies’ list of “Boredom Busters.” These fan-favorite experiments, such as building catapults, shadow puppets and slime, are quick and easy to do with simple materials. Science News Explores is now partnering with Science Buddies for our Experiments series, so head over to that collection for more scientific larks like crafting parachutes and mummifying hotdogs.

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Catch up with the latest from Science News Explores

Pokémon ‘evolution’ looks more like metamorphosis: Pokémon “evolve” into larger, more powerful forms within seconds. But this evolution more closely resembles another biological process: metamorphosis. Readability: 8.4 Resources: power words, video

These beetles ‘drink’ water using their butts: Red flour beetles can survive in very dry environments. New research shows how the beetles can suck water from the air using their rear ends. Readability: 7.4 Resources: power words, alternate version at Science News

Let’s learn about Jupiter’s moons: Jupiter has nearly 100 known moons — some of which look like prime spots to search for alien life. Readability: 7.7 Resources: power words, word find puzzle, video

People and animals sometimes team up to hunt for food: Dolphins working with people to catch fish recently made a big splash. But humans have a long history of cooperating with other animals. Readability: 7.7 Resources: power words, classroom questions, alternate version at Science News

A new solar-powered gel purifies water in a flash: The unusual, fruit-inspired structure of this material provides quick filtration that could satisfy people's daily water needs. Readability: 6.9 Resources: power words, graph, classroom questions

Scientists Say: Accretion Disk: With cosmic swirls of gas, dust and plasma, accretion disks reveal the shadowy silhouettes of black holes and more. Readability: 8.2 Resources: power words, audio recording

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Find out more about the resources available for using Science News Explores stories for learning. And if you like this newsletter, please share it with a friend or colleague. Did someone share this with you? Subscribe to this newsletter here. If you’ve got questions, suggestions or comments, email us at sns@sciencenews.org. Thank you for reading!