Ever wonder why fingers and toes wrinkle in the bathtub? Or how four o'clock flowers know what time it is? Did you know if you stretch a regular Slinky out flat it measures 87 feet long? Or that sound travels about 4 times faster in water than it does in air? Science is all around us, not just in a classroom or lab. We invite you to spend some time exploring the science all around YOU—in your kitchen, your backyard or a park, at the lakefront, after school, on the weekend!
You can make up your own at-home science activities or try the ones we've posted here. Try one or try them all. All you need is your curiosity and—in most cases—a few simple items like paper and a pencil or pen.
We want to hear from you! Email DrRabiah@sciencechicago.com. Make sure to include your name, age, neighborhood or town, daytime phone number and email address. If you're under 12, we also need your parent/guardian's name, daytime phone number and email address.
• At Home with Science: Tell us about your science experiences. Were you surprised by what you discovered? Was your hypothesis confirmed by the challenge you did? Did you make up an at-home science activity you'd like to share with others? Send us an email, video or a digital photo of your results.
• What's on your mind? Have some science questions? Want to tell us what activities you'd like to see us include in Science Chicago programming? Or, tell us what science means to you!
Check out Dr. Rabiah's Blog! Dr. Rabiah will post challenge updates, Science Chicago news and weekly fun science facts. She'll also post select emails, questions, videos and photos from YOU, so check the blog and see what's new!
PUMP YOUR BODY
What's the most important muscle in your body? How does it work and what changes happen when you exercise?
GERMS, GERMS, EVERYWHERE!
Be a germ detective and explore the many places microorganisms live in your home, your neighborhood, even on your body!
DON'T FLUSH THAT TOILET
Water is everywhere we look—Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, out of the faucet and in designer bottles—but for how much longer? Experiment with how you can help conserve this valuable resource.
DO YOU HAVE GRANDMA'S EYES?
Lots of genetic traits determined by DNA are visible to the naked eye. Record the traits you can see and learn about how DNA expresses itself differently in your family, friends, and neighbors.
RAIN, RAIN - DON'T GO AWAY!
Measure the rainfall in your neighborhood this summer and see how well your results stack up against the professional meteorologists in town.
KEEP ON MOVIN' AND SHAKIN'
From doing a flip trick on a skateboard to how long it takes for microwave popcorn to pop, observe and record these laws at work in your everyday life.
BECOME AN ENERGY STAR!
Interested in easy ways to save and reduce your impact on the environment? Try this challenge and find out how many things you can do to conserve energy (sitting on the couch does not count!).
RE-INVENTION CONNECTION: CAN YOU BUILD IT BETTER?
This challenge asks you to re-design an existing product for an entirely new use. Break out that old tape deck, fly swatter, or Pez® dispenser and let your imagination run wild.
DIFFUSION IN THE KITCHEN
You don’t have to be an Iron Chef® to cook up amazing kitchen science in this challenge.
WHY CAN'T I EAT CANDY FOR BREAKFAST?
It's hard to make changes in diet and exercise if you don't understand what needs to change. Record eating and exercise habits and then identify and test some ways to lead a healthier life.
THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
The days are longer in the summer, but how can that be? Discover for yourself how the altitude of the sun in our sky affects the amount of daylight we enjoy.
