All Stories by Bethany Brookshire
- Materials Science
Scientists Say: Kevlar
Many people hear Kevlar and think of body armor. But this polymer is in so much more.
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Annoying those who bathe too long cuts shower waste
Showering too long can waste a lot of water. This teen rigged up a system to irritate people who linger.
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Competition seeks students’ bright ideas
The best way to learn how light can affect sleep is through research. A new competition offers middle-school students the opportunity to learn — and win cash prizes.
- Plants
Scientists Say: Urushiol
Poison ivy looks harmless, but its oil, urushiol, is not. This is the plant’s oil that leaves an itchy rash or blisters on your skin.
- Animals
Weed killers may go from plant to pooch
Dogs love to roll around in the grass. But if there is weed killer around, it could end up on — and in — our furry pals.
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‘Good Thinking’ series helps teachers fight learning myths
Teaching science concepts can be tough on educators. A new video series helps dispel myths and provides science-based teaching methods.
- Health & Medicine
Scientists Say: Virulence
The virulence of a germ is a measure of its potential to cause disease.
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The Mentos geyser: From demo to real science
It’s fun to make geysers with candy and soda. But it’s not an experiment. Here’s how to make it one.
- Physics
Scientists Say: Quantum
Quantum seems like a very complex word. But really, it’s a term used for something very, very small.
- Physics
Scientists Say: Viscosity
We know some liquids are thick and some are thin. This week’s word describes the property of these liquids to resist tension or pressure.
- Physics
Scientists Say: Torque
Some forces pull and some push. This force produces turning or twisting.
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Oops. Correcting scientific errors
Scientific research is performed by people, and those people sometimes make mistakes they need to correct. Here’s a new example: Think of it as the “Case of the "Plagued Subway."
