SuperScience articles from September 2004

SuperScience archives from September 2004

The skinny on dolphins.(newsblast)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... No one likes to be a slow poke, but sometimes you just can't help it--like when you ride your bike against the wind. You ride a lot slower because the wind causes drag (a resisting force that slows an object). Dolphins also experience drag when...

Bye, bye bamboo?(newsblast)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Wooden you know? There's bad news for pandas, mountain gorillas, and all other animals that depend on woody bamboo plants for food and shelter. About 600 species of woody bamboo are in danger of dying out, or becoming extinct. That's half of...

UFO shocker!(newsblast)
September 1, 2004... Late one night last March, 11 mysterious blobs of light appeared around a Mexican Air Force plane in flight. These blobs were especially strange because they seemed to be chasing the plane! Was the Mexican Air Force visited by a UFO? "No!"...

Hot stuff.(newsblast)
September 1, 2004... Spring flowers, fall leaves, winter... volcanoes? That's right! Scientists recently discovered that volcanoes erupt most often during winter months. Why would wintry weather affect a volcano? Some scientists believe that heavy snow...

The case of the missing eggshell: this month use a chemical reaction to crack the case.(science mystery)
September 1, 2004... Read the story below. Then use the materials listed at the end to solve the mystery! "Okay, class," announced Miss Beasley. "We're going to do a little art project. Please take out the hard-boiled eggs I asked you to bring in today." ...

Escaped artists: some animals are masters of disguise. Others have cool cover-up skills. But no matter how you look at it, these animals know how to make a clean getaway.(life science)(Cover Story)
September 1, 2004... You don't always have to be strong to survive in the wild. Many animals have adaptations (AD-uhp-TAY-shuns) that keep them from being some other animals' dinners. Some animals have adaptations that are hidden. They appear only when an...

Smell this!(life science)
September 1, 2004... For badgers and coyotes (kye-OH-tees), the striped skunk's black-and-white fur is a clear warning sign, it says: "Stay Away!" Animals that don't heed the warning get a whiff of the skunk's in-your-face defenses. First, the skunk gives a warning...

Blending in.(life science)
September 1, 2004... Camouflage (KAM-uh-flaj) is an adaptation that helps some animals hide. The flower mantis is a title bug with a huge appetite. One mantis can eat 15 crickets in a single day, sometimes catching one prey while still eating another. The bugs...

Let's pretend.(life science)
September 1, 2004... How would you feel if your pizza suddenly looked like tuna casserole? You might lose your appetite. Amazingly, some "tasty" animals rise mimicry (MIM-ik-ree). They pretend to be a "yucky" species to avoid being eaten. Take the saltwater comet....

A flash of color.(life science)
September 1, 2004... Much like a stop sign, some animals alarm predators with a flash of bright color. The fire-bellied frog is a mild green on top. But when a raven or snake threatens it, it arches its back and raises its legs to show off a bright-red belly. The...

Quick quiz.(life science)
September 1, 2004... 1. Which of the following animals has a hidden defense? * A. Octopus * B. Great white shark * C. Monarch butterfly * 9. None of the above 2. What animal uses mimicry to escape its predators? * A. Fire-bellied frog ...

Hiding out: can you help an animal blend into its background?(hands-on)
September 1, 2004... THINK: Pretend you and your friend are in a forest. Is it easier to spot your friend if he or she is wearing green clothes or yellow clothes? PREDICT: How might an animal's shape and color help it blend into its environment? YOU'LL...

Survival skills: can you figure out how an animal protects itself?(hands-on)
September 1, 2004... THINK: What are some characteristics of a cat that allow it to protect itself when it is in danger? PREDICT: Can you tell how an animal protects itself by looking at its physical characteristics (color, skin texture, teeth, claws, etc.)?...

Journey into the storm: scientists fly into violent storms to save lives.(earth science)
September 1, 2004... As Valerie Hendry soars high over the Atlantic Ocean, blue skies and sunshine flow in through the airplane's windows. Slowly, the plane dips to a lower height. Lightning flashes and hail pounds outside the plane. Hendry pulls her seat belt...

Air travel test: how does temperature affect rising air?(hands-on)
September 1, 2004... THINK: Suppose the house you are in is on fire. Why is it important to drop to the floor? PREDICT: What kind of air rises faster--hot air or cold air? YOU'LL NEED: * 2 SMALL BALLOONS * 2 SMALL PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES * 2...

Mystery photo.(the Back Page)
September 1, 2004... What's pictured in the magnifying lens? To find out, use these hints (plus a dictionary or the Internet!). 1. It's usually made from steel or plastic. 2. It's able to move down stairs because of gravity (the force that pulls everything...

You asked.(the Back Page)
September 1, 2004... Q: Why do your eyes water when you chop onions? A: Onions contain thousands of cells (the basic units of structure and function in living things). These cells contain sulfur (SUHL-fur). Sulfur is what gives onions their strong smell. When...

Wind watch.(The Back Page)
September 1, 2004... This line graph tracks the different wind speeds of Hurricane Humberto--a powerful hurricane that stormed through the Atlantic Ocean area in 2000. Use this line graph to answer the questions below. 1. On what day was the wind speed the...

Making science super.
September 1, 2004... Welcome to a new year of SuperScience! Once again, we aim to make science the high point of your students' day--and yours! As always, each issue teaches basic science concepts through exciting nonfiction feature articles, like this month's...

Scavenger Hunt.
September 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 pressure. -- b: What do you think might happen if you put pressure on a...

No-sweat bubble test (reading comprehension).
September 1, 2004... Name: -- Date: -- DIRECTIONS: Read each question below, and then use the article "Journey into the Storm" (pp. 12-14) to determine the best answer. Fill in the correct bubble completely. 1. What is the main idea of this article? ...