SuperScience articles from March 2008

SuperScience archives from March 2008

Hefty hedgehog.(LIFE SCIENCE)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A hedgehog named George brings new meaning to the term roly-poly. The spiky animal tips the scales at 2.3 kilograms (5 pounds). Most hedgehogs weigh just 0.7 kg (1.5 lbs). How did George get so pudgy? The...

Hello, mummy!(LIFE SCIENCE)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Get ready to meet King Tut! For the first time, the public is now able to view the Egyptian king's mummy, or long-preserved dead body. The mummy had been kept inside a gold-covered wooden coffin and stone outer...

Listen closely.(PHYSICAL SCIENCE)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Scientists have created the smallest radio in the world. The tune-maker is so tiny that it is 10,000 times thinner than a single hair! The radio is made of a microscopic tube that can pick up radio waves. To...

Sea tragedy.(EARTH SCIENCE)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Wildlife on the California coast is still recovering after an oil spill occurred there Last fall. A ship struck a bridge in San Francisco Bay. The crash caused thousands of gallons of oil to leak into the bay. The spill has harmed the bird...

The case of the empty flower bed: this month, learn about vascular plants.(science mystery)
March 1, 2008... "The flowers look great!" said Jacob. He and his friend Olivia were planting flowers in preparation for a St. Patrick's Day celebration at their school the next day. Their class had used white carnations to make the shape of the school...

Building in space: astronauts work to piece together the International Space Station.(earth science)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wanted: Construction worker with experience building in microgravity. Out-of-this-world location. Must live onsite. Language skills useful. Transportation will be provided. Would you apply for a job like the one...

Space mission: can you perform tasks like an astronaut does?(hands-on)
March 1, 2008... THINK: How do astronauts use their hands to do tasks in space? PREDICT: Astronauts often perform tasks by hand. But the thick gloves they wear can make that difficult. Other times, astronauts use tools like robotic arms to complete work....

Animal keeper: meet the caretaker of a museum's living exhibits.(careers)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When Hazel Davies goes to work, she is greeted by curious snakes and tortoises that mistake her green sneakers for snacks. Davies manages the animals that star in exhibitions at the American Museum of Natural History...

Beating the heat: when it comes to surviving in the desert, it helps to know some cool tricks.(physical science)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On a hot summer day, you might chill out by jumping into a pool But what can a plant or an animal that lives in the desert do when the temperature soars above 38[degrees]C (100[degrees]F) and there's no water in...

Be cool: how does panting help a dog stay coot?(hands-on)
March 1, 2008... Procedure: []1. Check three thermometers to make sure they show the same temperature. If they do not, let them sit for three minutes and check again. []2. Record the temperature of each thermometer. []3. Place 3 plastic plates on...

The back page.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... WHAT'S PICTURED IN THE MAGNIFYING LENS? TO FIND OUT, USE THESE HINTS (PLUS A DICTIONARY OR THE INTERNET). 1. It is part of a plant that grows in warm tropical regions. 2. It grows in bunches on the plant. These bunches are called...

All dried up.(maps )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The map below shows the locations of the major desert regions of the wortd. Use the map to answer the questions that follow.-- [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Which continent has a larger desert region on it: Australia or Africa?-- 2....

No-sweat bubble test.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Directions: Read each question below, and then use the article "Building in Space" (pp. 6-8) to determine the best answer. FiR in the answer bubbles completely. 1. Around which planet does the International Space Station orbit? (A)...