SuperScience articles from November 2004

SuperScience archives from November 2004

So long, sharks!(newsblast)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Sharks beware: Scientists are working on a device that will send sharks swimming far away from surfers. The device, called the Shark Shield, uses electrical energy to get the job done. How does electrical energy work? All objects have...

Berry red.(newsblast)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Thanksgiving dinner will soon get a blast of color. Scientists at the University of Wisconsin have created a new type of cranberry called the HyRed that's super-red. Why is the HyRed cranberry so red? All cranberries are red thanks to a...

Tail talk.(newsblast)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... When ground squirrels see a rattlesnake, they don't run in the opposite direction, as you might expect. Scientists from California recently discovered that these furry creatures heat up their tails instead! Heat is a form of energy that is...

Big drop.(newsblast)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Look up in the sky! It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a giant raindrop? Using laser instruments, scientists from the University of Washington photographed and measured giant raindrops falling over the South American country of Brazil. The...

The case of the liquid ice pop: this month, learn about the freezing points of different liquids.(science mystery)
November 1, 2004... "I can't believe we shoveled snow I for an hour and didn't make a dent, said Jackie Sanders. "I know. I'm so tired," replied her brother Ryan as he turned the front doorknob of the house. Then, without looking, he stepped into the entryway...

Mission to Saturn's moon: a robotic spacecraft is preparing to explore Saturn's largest moon. What it discovers might change how we think about Earth.(earth science)
November 1, 2004... What's as big as a school weighs 6,000 pounds? It's a spacecraft called Cassini-Huygens (ca-SEE-nee HOY-gens). Launched from Earth in 1997, this robot explorer has been snapping pictures of the planet Saturn since it arrived there this July....

Size wise: does the size of a parachute affect how fast it falls?(hands-on)
November 1, 2004... THINK: Pretend you are riding your bike very fast. Would you catch more air if: you increased your size by lifting your body up, or if you shrunk your size by leaning closer to the handlebars? PREDICT: If you had to use a parachute to land...

Material test: does the material that a parachute is made from affect the way it falls?(hands-on)
November 1, 2004... THINK: If a Ping-Pong ball and a rubber ball--both the same size--were placed over an air vent, which ball would most likely be lifted by the force of the air? PREDICT: An object falling through the air is slowed down by the force of the...

Bird's-eye view: just 70 years ago, wild turkeys were in danger of dying out. Today, these all-American birds call every state but Alaska home. What's the secret to this fine feathered comeback?(life science)
November 1, 2004... Spotting a turkey in the wild is a memorable experience. "The wild turkey is a very large bird," explains Scott Vance of the National Wild Turkey Federation. "Adult males can be almost 1 meter (3 feet) tall and weigh over 14 kilograms (30...

Turkey tagging: can you count the number of turkeys in an area?(hands-on)
November 1, 2004... THINK: What does a turkey look like? If you saw a group of turkeys would you be able to tell one apart from another? PREDICT: Pretend it is your job to count the turkeys in a given area. But there's a problem--all the turkeys look the same....

Mystery photo.(The Back Page)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What's pictured in the magnifying tens? To find out, use these hints (plus a dictionary or the Internet!). 1. It's a fruit that grows on trees. 2. It belong to the same family (a group of plants or animals that are related) as oranges...

You asked.(The Back Page)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Q: Why do we sneeze? A: Your nose not only provides a pathway for air to enter your body, it also lets in substances like dust, pollen, and mildew. These substances can irritate the lining of your nose. When this happens, the nerves in...

Cranberry pie.(The Back Page)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Wisconsin: 52% Washington: 2% Oregon: 5% New Jersey: 11% Massachusetts: 30% Note: Table made...

Curriculum check.(Editorial)
November 1, 2004... Inside each issue of SuperScience you'll find a variety of physical science, life science, and earth science stories that are sure to tie in to your curriculum. 111 this month's SuperScience mystery, students learn about freezing points....

Scavenger hunt.
November 1, 2004... Name: Date: Search the magazine to find the answer to part A of each question. Then search your brain to find the answer to part B! 1 a: Define extinct. b: What factors might cause a certain type of animal to become extinct?...

No-sweat bubble test: reading comprehension.
November 1, 2004... Name: Date: DIRECTIONS: Read each question below, and then use the article "Bird's-Eye View" (pages 12-14) to determine the best answer. Fill in the correct bubble completely. 1. Which animal is not a turkey? (A) Hen (B)...