VanCleave's Science Fun

Your Guide to Science Projects, Fun Experiments, and Science Research

NASA’s Vomit Comet

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The Ultimate Roller Coaster I had the opportunity to ride in NASA’s KC-135, which is a specially equipped plane used for testing the effect of weightlessness. The effect that it had on my body can be summed up in the nickname given to the plane, which is “THE VOMIT COMET.” Many find a roller coaster […]

The Big Race

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I found a great astronomy site, THE CURIOUS SKY WATCHER. The diagram shown is from this site. For more information about the position of the celestial bodies described on this page, check out this site. The Sun, Moon, and planets appear to be in a never ending race from east to west across the southern […]

Paramecium Model

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Pond water has some living creatures that are so small they can be seen only with a microscope. Some of these creatures are made of only one cell, such as a paramecium. This tiny water critter is often called a “slipper animal” because it looks like the sole of a shoe. Paramecium move around in […]

Pluto Demoted

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Pluto has been demoted from being a planet to being a dwarf planet. On Aug. 24, 2006 , the International Astronomical Union (IAU) gave a description for dwarf planets. A dwarf planet is a celestial body that: orbits a sun has enough mass to give it a nearly round shape is not a satellite of […]

Fun Stuff

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Looking for cheap inexpensive, fun, safe, engaging, yet educational activities for kids? Did I mention inexpensive? There is rarely a time that inexpensive entertainment isn’t on my list of things to look for. But even free boring ideas are too expensive because our time is very valuable. The ideas found in this section will be […]

A Paper Bridge

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Structural Engineering Project A bridge is a structure that provides a pathway across streams, ravines, or other obstacles. The earliest bridges were made by nature and consisted of materials  including fallen logs, rocks, or tangled vines growing across the gap. Structural engineers are concerned with the design and construction of all types of structures, including […]

Puns

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A pun is a funny use of words. Puns can help kids to remember things they have studied. For example, after completing a studying about gravity, kids will know that gravity is a  force that pulls things toward the Earth’s surface–the ground. So they will see the humor in this pun: “This has been a […]

Density:Ocean Currents

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Density is a ratio of  mass to volume. Relative density is a comparison of the density of two or more things.For example: What is the relative density of the two balls and water in the diagram? Ball A sinks in the water, thus the density of ball A is greater than the density of water. […]

Tips for Making Teaching Science Fun

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Tip 1: Make Science Activities a Hit in Your Classroom Here are some strategies you can use to make science both a fun-filled adventure for students and the easiest and most organized period of your day. Know the Experiment. Read each experiment completely before starting, and practice doing the experiment prior to class time. A […]