Youth Explorations in Science

Science Projects

Animated Movies / Animation Mechanics Students will build their own praxinoscope and enjoy the fascination that comes with creating the illusion of moving pictures. Already made animation sequences are included in the kit as well as instructions for students to create their own animated movie.
Catapults / Simple Machines and Mechanics Simple machines are devices we use to make work easier. These machines include door knobs, can openers, clothespins, pencil sharpeners and wheelbarrows. It is difficult to go through a day without using many simple machines. In this unit the student will build their own simple machine. They will theorize about how energy is transferred to objects that are propelled through the air. As they consider the properties of the various balls used in the unit, they will theorize which will travel the farthest.
Catch a Thief / Crime Chemistry This experiment encourages students to use their imagination and problem solving skills to solve a mystery. Using the scientific technique called "chromatography" club members must discover which pen wrote the "ransom note" by testing pens to uncover the pigments that are combined to make black ink. A take home activity accompanies this experiment using M & Ms and Reese's Pieces.
Clean Water / Clean Water Engineering 180 million people lack access to clean water. Students will engineer a filtration system that eliminates the dirt contained in the water sample and results in clear, clean water. Pasteurization is also an included activity to demonstrate water purification.
CSI / Crime Chemistry Our detectives have just finished investigating a crime scene. Clues were packaged and students will act as crime scene analyst. Fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, using a dichotomous key, and determining the type of cloth fragment that was left at the scene are part of the investigation.
Deep Sea Divers / Flotation and Density The principles of density, flotation, and air pressure are demonstrated in this experiment. All students create a diver using a slightly inflated balloon and attaching a weight belt to it. Their divers are placed in one-liter soda bottles filled with water then capped. The balloon will dive when the bottle is squeezed. Students are allowed to experiment with different strategies to achieve the best results.
Electronic Matching Game / Electricity and Circuits Building this electronic matching game enhances the excitement about the concept of electricity. Students have the opportunity to build an electronic circuit that serves as an electronic checker for a matching question and answer game. A feeling of accomplishment accompanies this project home.
Hydro Lift / Hydraulics From backyard log splitters to huge cranes operating at construction sites, these machines use hydraulics to move materials. Tractors, dump trucks, and even most car brakes use this simple concept to transfer force from one place to another. In the hydro lift unit, students will build their own hydraulic lift and learn about the transfer of energy used to increase force. They will demonstrate the basic principles of hydraulics. Their project will enable them to observe the way force is moved from one place to another and measure the movements that many familiar hydraulic machines demonstrate.
Invisible Forces / Magnetism and Electricity For hundreds of years we have been fascinated by the mysterious behavior of magnets, compasses, and electricity. Students will have the opportunity to study these behaviors and "see" the invisible forces at work. They will also build their own electric motors.
Kalimba Piano / Properties of Sound In this session students will explore the fundamentals of sound through the vibration of metal. Each student will build their own thumb piano and have the opportunity to discover the concepts of wavelengths, frequency and pitch.
Light House / Properties of Light Students build lamp assemblies and create their own lighthouses ...from which light rays emerge and are used for studying the behaviors and properties of light. Student experiments include the reflection, refraction, and the convergence of their light rays.
Newton's Car / Motion and Design The focus of the student's attention will be on precision assembly as they construct their rocket car. Consideration of symmetry, friction, and other variables will ensure a fast car that all club members will appreciate when they race their creations. The principle of "Newton's Third Law of Motion" will be applied throughout this activity.
Night and Day / Earth's Rotation and Seasons The earth lies within the solar system... with the sun, planets and many moons. Within this system, the earth spins on its axis and thus creates day and night, and seasons are repeated as the Earth revolves around the sun about every 365 days. In the Night and Day unit, students create their own model of the earth, spinning on its axis and changing its seasonal position relative to the sun. They will observe the cause and effect relationship that these movements have on our days and nights, our lives.
Oil Spill / Environmental Hazard Engineering In this unit students will create a model coastal environment and then introduce an oil spill. They have many materials to theorize the most effective way to contain and clean an oil spill. The unit creates an awareness of environmental risks.
Oobleck / Properties of Matter As club members take part in this activity, they learn to think like scientists by investigating this mysterious green substance called Oobleck. Each club interacts as a team that creates a cooperative atmosphere. All club members take home a sample of Oobleck for further investigation.
Owl Pellets / The Food Web This hands-on experiment allows students to investigate the food web, identify animal skeletons, and practice dissecting skills. Each student will dissect an owl pellet and classify the remains using a bone-sorting chart.
Periscopes / Reflection and Symmetry This activity introduces the basic principles of optics and light. Each club member constructs a simple periscope to explore things that are not in their direct line of vision.
Steady Hand Game / Electricity and Switches Students will explore the fundamentals of electronics with this simple electrical circuit. This activity provides a true hands-on experience with construction and wiring. Upon completion, students create a "take home game" which requires steady hands to win.
The Solar Car / Renewable Energy in Cars The earth has many sources of energy. From renewable sources like the sun and the wind … to non-renewable ones like coal and oil, the earth provides for our need of energy to warm our homes, power our factories, and keep our cars moving. In the solar energy unit students will create their own solar powered car and observe the use of the sun's energy to power a vehicle. Indoors or outdoors, this project is sure to excite the student and give them a sense of wonder and pride.
Time Shadows / Earth-Sun Relationship Observations of the properties of light and tracking the motion of the sun will be discussed in this unit. All students will construct a sundial and test it's validity outdoors.
Weather Station / Meteorology In this kit, students will build their own weather station. As do meteorologists, students will be able to measure rainfall, wind speed, wind direction and temperature. As the keep track of the results they record, students can begin to see pattern changes and, over time they will more fully understand their ever changing weather.