Science for Students: What Makes a Good Insulator?

Energy will always be transferred from the object with a higher temperature to one with a lower temperature. In other words, heat will always flow from hot to cold. When we try to insulate something, we are trying to keep the energy from being transferred from a hotter object to a colder one. Good insulators prevent energy from easily being transferred from one object to another.

Incredible Exploding Sandwich Bag Science Activity

If a baking soda rocket wasn't enough of an explosion for your child, then this experiment is bound to be more his style. Using the same acid-base reaction that makes quick bread rise when you cook, this experiment shows that sometimes, combining common household products can be explosive without being dangerous. However, this experiment is definitely messy! Take your materials outside, or choose a place to "explode" your sandwich bag that can be cleaned up easily.

Science Experiments for Kids: Make a Lemon Clock

As part of a generation of children growing up in an increasingly green and eco-conscious world, things like low-energy light bulbs and hybrid cars are the norm for your child. Making a clock that runs on citrus power is not only a powerful way to reinforce the idea that there are alternative energy sources to be found everywhere, but it's also a great way for her to learn more about electricity and conductive materials.

Science for Students: Wrap Your Mind Around Insulation!

Have you ever wondered why animals like polar bears and penguins are able to stay warm in sub-zero temperatures? Or why a cup of hot cocoa doesn't stay hot for a very long time? The answer to both of these questions involves insulation.

Science Experiments for Kids: Bottle Balloon Blow-Up

If your child jumps for joy at the thought of blowing things up, she will really enjoy the Bottle Balloon Blow-Up experiments. Though her excitement may die down temporarily when she realizes the only thing getting blown up is the balloon, it will be quickly reignited when she realizes that she can blow up balloons using various forces, none of which include forcing air from her lungs into the balloon. These experiments work best with latex balloons.

Science for Students: Build Your Own Insulating Lunch Container

Do-It-Yourself "Ologies"

Required:

• Your time only

Quick! What are the three most important laws of pizzology (the study of pizzas)? Don't worry if you don't know—in fact, it's your job to make them up. That's the whole idea behind this activity: each person invents and describes his or her very own field of science.

St. Patrick's Day Carnations

Estimated time to make this gift:
A few hours to overnight.

• white carnations
• green food coloring
• water
• vase(s)

• baby's breath or other "filler" plant materials
• ribbons (optional)