<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Science Project Ideas]]></title><description><![CDATA[Articles]]></description><link>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv/</link><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright Science Project Ideas]]></copyright><generator>sNews CMS</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Geology Science Project Ideas]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Young children are fascinated by fossils, particularly those left behind millions of years ago by dinosaurs and other ancient life. One of many science project ideas for children that will teach them what fossils are and how they are made is the creation of their own fossils. They can simulate what took millions of years for dinosaurs and other living things in just minutes using a few simple ingredients.  

  Making Contemporary Fossils  

  Children can make their own fossils with a few simple ingredients such as Plaster of Paris, water, and petroleum jelly, thick pieces of cardboard or even shallow foam trays (like those from a meat market). Seashells, leaves, and anything else that could make a fossil imprint are also required.
  
  There are a number of conditions in which fossils can form and those found in mud are the easiest to simulate with Plaster of Paris. Following the directions on the Plaster of Paris, mix about one-half to one cup with water until it forms a thick, smooth consistency. Spread this Plaster of Paris mixture on the cardboard or in the foam tray at least an inch thick.  

  Next, coat your shell or leaf with the petroleum jelly before pressing it into the Plaster of Paris firmly. The plaster must then be placed in a warm area to dry and cure properly. Once the plaster is dry, the object can be removed from it and you will see that an imprint of that item is permanently left behind, much the way mud worked millions of years ago with ancient plant and wildlife.
  
  Lesson Learned
  
  Among the many science project ideas about fossils, the Plaster of Paris method is the easiest for young children to understand. The plaster represents the mud that was deposited over small animals, leaves and other life forms that then took thousands to millions of years to cure into stone. The imprint left behind in this stone is what is known as a fossil.  

  You can simulate other fossil forming conditions using sand or ice and burying or freezing small plastic toy animals. Among the science project ideas to simulate fossils using sand and ice, these concepts are not quite as illustrative as the plaster to reinforce this particular geology lesson.
  ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:20:23 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv//geology-science-project-ideas/</link><guid>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv//geology-science-project-ideas/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Solar Science Project Ideas]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Knowing how to create a solar oven can help you if you are ever caught out in the wilderness without your trusty lighter and charcoal for cooking. The sun the not only the largest star in the solar system, it is also a phenomenal source of power – even strong enough to cook.
  
  Promoting the study of the sun as well as non-polluting sources of power are two popular science project ideas and building a solar oven satisfies both. You will need a shoebox with a fitted lid along with masking tape, tin foil, scissors, a Popsicle or lollipop stick and everyone's favorite camping food – marshmallows and hot dogs.
  
  Project Instructions  

  With the shiny side of the foil facing up, line the inside of the shoebox and lid, smoothing it as you go. Secure the foil to the box and lid edges to prevent unraveling using the masking tape. Next, cut a flap into the lid of the box using the scissors measuring to ensure you have at least one inch clearance from three of the four sides of the lid. Fold the lid back so it stays in the upright position for maximum reflection and use tape if needed to secure the foil around the lid opening.  

  Use the Popsicle stick to prop the lid open once you have placed it on top of the box. Your next step it to place the solar oven in the bright sunlight and ensure that flap on the box lid is open. Place a hot dog or marshmallow inside the center of the solar oven and allow them to bake. It could take quite a while for the box to heat up enough to cook anything but you don't have to worry about burning food.  

  Testing the sun's power is the focus of many science project ideas these days because the sun is a source of great renewable energy and a way to decrease dependency on energy produced by oil and gas. The solar oven reflects how well a simple contraption can harness the sun's energy to cook food. Your reward for this experiment is hot dogs and toasty marshmallows as well as a healthy respect for the power of the sun.
  ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:17:11 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv//solar-science-project-ideas/</link><guid>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv//solar-science-project-ideas/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Kid-Oriented Science Project Ideas]]></title><description><![CDATA[  While digital thermometers have taken over the old glass-based mercury ones, kids can still learn an important (and visual) lesson on how temperature is determined. Among the many science project ideas for kids, creating your own homemade thermometer is an easy one to implement.
  
  You and your child will need room temperature water, rubbing alcohol, food coloring, and a clear plastic straw, not the bendable, colored, or striped kind. You will also need a clear plastic bottle and approximately eight to eleven ounces and modeling clay.   

  Directions for the Project  

  Fill the bottle up to ¼ of the way full with equal parts alcohol and water. Choose your favorite food coloring hue and put a few drops into the liquid solution and mix until blended. Place the clear straw in the bottle but do not allow it to touch the bottom of the bottle. Instead, using the modeling clay, seal the neck of the bottle to hold the clear straw in place.  

  Next, using your hands, wrap them around the bottom of the bottle where the mixture is contained. What do you see? Try placing the bottle outside in the sunshine and observe what happens. Patience may be needed as the water in the bottle warms up a bit.  

  Explaining the Project  

  The homemade thermometer project is among the easiest science project ideas because of its quick assembly time and the ability of young kids to understand how taking someone's temperature works. Remember with the old mercury thermometers the red color rose based on how high your temperature was? Your child will discover in this controlled experiment how the colored mixture inside the bottle expands as it warms up. When the water has no where else to go as it expands, it pushes up through the straw.  

  With hot temperatures, the water mixture may rise up through the straw and out the top. However, what happens to the colored mixture as the temperature cools off? Your child can discover this too through observation. The mixture's level in the straw goes down. This theory can easily be tested with a real old-fashioned thermometer in comparison so you and your child will know exactly how thermometers work – heat rises causing higher temperatures.
  ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:15:03 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv//kidoriented-science-project-ideas/</link><guid>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv//kidoriented-science-project-ideas/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Easiest Science Project Ideas]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Some kids are fascinated by the weather and its destructive forces. One of the easiest science project ideas to implement is replicating the actions of a tornado. While the project is for kids, an adult will be needed to supervise as a power tool is used. An electric or battery-operated drill is required with a small drill bit to make a hole approximately ½ inch wide.  

  Next on the materials list are two empty 2-liter soda bottles with caps. Duct tape, water, and caulking (silicon is best) are the remaining required materials. There are several optional components that might work as a good reinforcement tool – food coloring or glitter.  

  Prep Work  

  The reason why creating a tornado model is among the best science project ideas for kids is because it is easy to put together. Take the caps off the 2-liter bottles and have an adult drill a hole in the center of each cap. Next, using the silicon caulking, apply a beading around the hole of one of the caps and then place the other cap over the top of it, flat ends facing each other, taking care to line up the drilled holes without them becoming obstructed from the caulking. The caulking, once dry, will form a seal to prevent water leakage.  

  Using the duct tape, wrap several layers around the joined caps to provide extra reinforcement. You may have to cut the tape down to the proper width before wrapping. Next, screw this new double cap onto one of the empty 2-liter bottles. Fill the remaining empty bottle with water, approximately ¾ full. At this stage, you can add either the food coloring or glitter if you wish.  

  Screw the empty bottle with the double cap onto the bottle filled with water. Using one hand, hold the area where the two bottles are joined, supporting it as you use your other hand to support the bottom. Flip the filled bottle over make a swirling motion with your hands as this simulates the vortex of a tornado as the water drains into the empty bottle.
  
  The color or glitter added to this faux tornado emphasizes the swirl of the water and highlights the vortex for easier visibility. Easy, informative science project ideas are plentiful and the tornado is one of the simplest ones for young kids.
  ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:12:45 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv//the-easiest-science-project-ideas/</link><guid>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv//the-easiest-science-project-ideas/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[One of Many Science Projects for Kids]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Kids are curious by nature and at some point they may ask you how or why fire burns. One of many science projects that can test this theory requires supervision as candles will be lit. First of all, you will need to gather your materials for this experiment and they include three votive-size candles, three saucers to place the candles on, one large jar, and one small jar. 
  
  You will want to be sure that the mouth of the two jars is large enough to fit over either the entire saucer or at least over the candle with room enough to rest its base on the saucer bottom. A lighter or match to light the candles is needed as well.
  
  Setting Up the Oxygen Test   

  Any science project ideas that involve fire in any way are often a big draw for youngsters which are why adult supervision is necessary to keep watch. Place one candle in a saucer and repeat with the second and third one. Next, light the candles on each saucer and let them burn until all three look about the same in appearance.  

  Next, place a small jar over one of the lit candles and repeat the action on another candle with the large jar. The third candle will remain uncovered, exposed to the air. With your youngster, sit and observe what each of the three candles does before drawing conclusions.
  
  Lesson Learned  

  The first candle to burn out should have been the candle with the small jar followed by the candle with the bigger jar placed over it. The third candle should be burning at bright as ever. Why did the candles under the covered jars eventually flicker out? The answer lies in oxygen or lack thereof.  

  Oxygen is a clear, odorless gas in the air you breathe and is necessary to fuel fire. When you deprive an environment of oxygen, a flame cannot be sustained indefinitely. The small jar's candle burned out quickly because it trapped less oxygen inside it than the larger jar. The candle without a jar covering it had oxygen from being exposed to the air you breathe and therefore kept burning. The main lesson kids should take away from this one of many oxygen science project ideas is that oxygen is a necessary ingredient for sustaining a fire or flame. 
  ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:09:33 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv//one-of-many-science-projects-for-kids/</link><guid>http://www.scienceprojectideas.tv//one-of-many-science-projects-for-kids/</guid></item></channel></rss>