Showing results by author "Amy Tao" in All Categories

How can the moon or sun seem to disappear right before our eyes? When the moon, the Earth, and the sun align just right in their orbits, they can cause a solar or lunar eclipse! Find out how light and shadow work together to trigger these cool events.

Beliefs about the shape of the earth have varied over the millennia, but the Ancient Greeks were able to observe that our planet is round and even Eratosthenes attempted to measure its size. It was not until explorers had fully charted the globe that most people were really able to comprehend its spherical shape.

What is needed to create fire? Learn about the science behind fire and how fuel, heat, and oxygen all work together to create flames.

Dr. John tries to fool his patients by using the wrong tools. But they are too smart!

From scrapes and bruises to mosquito bites and hiccups, Colin learns when a visit to the doctor is needed.

Diggory Dog has an important job: to watch over all the sheep. But why? One day, he learns what purpose sheep serve—they produce the wool that can be used for knitting.

Dinosaurs ruled the earth for millions of years. But different dinosaurs had different characteristics. Some weren't even dinosaurs at all.

Wanda Wheel presents the captivating history of wheels, and their influence on civilization.

Reduce, recycle, and reuse. We can all help Earth, if we choose. In this poem, kids learn about the differences between recycling, compost, and hazardous waste.

What would we do without wheels? We use wheels for all kinds of things, including transportation. Learn about alternatives for transportation other than the wheel! Do you use any of these different ways of moving around?

Do you know how buildings you see in your city got there? Before buildings are built, machines that move the ground are used! The excavator or digger move old ground away, preparing the space for a new building! A driver sits in the cab where all the fun begins! The tools to control the machine are inside the cab. Levers control the arms which do all the digging. How does the digger’s body move?

What does the school you attend look like? Does it have two floors? Does it have a playground? Look at the building plans the architect has drawn for Hopperville’s new school. Next, the old building needs to be removed with machines like a crane and a wrecking ball. Only the excavator can build a big, deep hole for the building. Find out what the surveyor does!

Did you know that sound vibrations make music? Learn how different musical instruments like guitar, drum, xylophone, and trumpet, make sound vibrations from the movement of strings or air—that together make music! Follow the activity to make your own instrument from straws! Experiment with short and long straws to discover which makes a high or low sound.

Germ Busters are on patrol! See the Germ Busters fighting bad germs in your blood marking them for destruction. The Busters are a team of antibodies that come from medicine you get from a shot. They are weak germs that can’t make you sick. Germ Busters keep protecting you from germs if they get inside your body again. Will you join the Germ Busters to fight the germs?

People visit the doctor at least once a year–even when they’re not sick! Doctors ask questions to check that your mind and body are healthy. Doctors use different tools to find out if you’re healthy like stethoscopes, thermometers and blood pressure cuffs. The nurse will measure your height and weight, too! Find out other ways doctors check if you’re healthy?

Have you ever wondered about all the shapes it takes to design and build structures like buildings or bridges? Different shapes like squares, triangle and rectangles are used in construction, but which shape forms the strongest? Follow the activity using straws and string to find out which shape is the strongest, sturdiest construction?

Do you know how the buildings in your city got there? Before buildings are built, different types of machines that move the ground are used! Some are large like the excavator or digger that moves old ground and dirt away, preparing the space for a new building! A bulldozer clears away old stones and dirt. The scoop, called the loader, does many jobs–it smooths, scrapes or carries dirt away?

Do you know how the anatomy of the eye allows us to see colors? Learn about the part of the eye called cones. Cones are like sensors that detect colors. The more cones a person or animal has, the more colors the eye perceives. Can you guess if your pets see you in full color, or if you see your pets in full colors?

If you plan to visit one of the coldest, windiest places in the world, you’ll need to be prepared! Antarctica's roads are covered with packed snow and ice, requiring special vehicles and snowmobiles to drive on this slippery land. A bus named ‘Ivan the Terra’ carries 56 people and has tires big enough to keep the ground from sinking! Learn about other vehicles that transport cargo and people.

Can you guess when trees stop growing–they don’t stop! Their massive roots keep them in the ground and require plenty of water, sunshine and nutrients from the soil to help them grow. Trees are the oldest, largest and tallest living things on Earth, with the oldest part of the tree being its strong, woody middle. Find out how a maple tree gets its start! How does a tree grow?