SuperScience articles from September 2006

SuperScience archives from September 2006

Welcome back!
September 1, 2006... Welcome to a new year of SuperScience! Once again, we aim to make science the high point of your students' day--and yours! Look inside this issue of SuperScience to find our new "Cool Science Jobs" feature on page 11. Students will meet a...

Moon mission.
September 1, 2006... At present, there are 156 known moons orbiting (circling) the planets in our solar system. To learn more about the number of moons that orbit each planet, look at the bar graph below. Then use the information in the graph to answer the...

Air control.(bees flight)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Some bees have a trick that helps them zip quickly from flower to flower. Stacey Combes, a scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, recently discovered that the secret lies in the bees' legs. As some bees begin to fly forward,...

Toothy find.(LIFE SCIENCE)(tooth-drilling)
September 1, 2006... Humans have been going to the dentist longer than scientists had imagined. It turns out the art of tooth-drilling was practiced about 9,000 years ago. Scientists recently made the discovery after digging up nine ancient skulls with teeth....

Monster bunny on the loose.(EARTH SCIENCE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Recently, gardeners in England got a big surprise. A giant, floppy-eared bunny--the size of a dog!--snuck into their vegetable gardens and gobbled up their turnips and carrots. According to the British Rabbit Council, the black and brown...

Storm surge.(EARTH SCIENCE)(forecast of strong hurricanes)
September 1, 2006... It's been more than one year since powerful Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, leaving millions of people without homes. This year, scientists predict more strong hurricanes. What's to blame for the rise in the number of powerful...

Crooked contest: this month, learn about static electricity.(science mystery)
September 1, 2006... Read the story below. Then use the materials listed at the end to solve the mystery. "What a boring Saturday," said Max. He sipped what was left of his soda as Lisa and Erik folded laundry in the town laundromat. Max put down his empty...

Eye openers: discover some wild and wacky animal eyes.(life science)
September 1, 2006... Have you ever thought about all that your eyes do for you? They help you cross busy streets, guide food to your mouth, and search out your best friend in a crowded cafeteria. With them, you can peer, peek, probe, and wink. Animals of all...

Eye spy: does your eye work like a camera?(hands-on)
September 1, 2006... THINK: Light enters your eyes to form an image. Does light also pass through a camera to form an image? (Hint: If you take a picture in the dark without a flash, does the camera produce an image?) PREDICT: Light forms an upside-down image...

Cool science jobs.(forensic scientist)
September 1, 2006... Who: Lori Baker Job: Forensic Scientist A forensic scientist helps explain the evidence found at crime scenes to juries, lawyers, and judges. Forensic scientists may study skeletons, people's behavior, or even their handwriting....

Return to the Moon: astronauts are heading back to Earth's nearest neighbor--eventually, to stay.(earth science)
September 1, 2006... On July 21, 1969, millions of television viewers around the world tuned in to the news to watch an amazing event. For the first time ever, people were walking on the moon! The now-famous moon walkers were American astronauts Buzz Aldrin...

Moon phases: why does the moon seem to change shape?(hands-on)
September 1, 2006... THINK: Suppose a movie is being shown from a movie projector. If a person in the audience stands up in front of the projector, what happens to the picture on the screen? PREDICT: As the moon orbits (circles) Earth, sunlight bounces off the...

Mystery photo.(the Back Page)
September 1, 2006... WHAT'S PICTURED IN THE MAGNIFYING LENS? TO FIND OUT, USE THESE HINTS (PLUS A DICTIONARY OR THE INTERNET). 1. It is filled with a special spread. This spread is made from a type of legume (a plant that has a pod that contains seeds). 2....

You asked.(gravity on Mars)
September 1, 2006... Q: Is there gravity on Mars? A: Yes, there is gravity on Mars--but much less gravity than there is on Earth. How come? Gravity is the force that pulls objects toward a body. Gravity keeps you grounded on Earth--without it you would float...

Crossword.(the Back Page)
September 1, 2006... Use this issue of SuperScience to fill in the crossword puzzle. ACROSS 1. --warming is an increase in Earth's average temperature. 2. A(n)--is an animal that eats only plants. 3. Scientists believe that --may be buried in the...