Attention Young Scientists! We're looking for kids who know how cool science can be, and are ready to show off their talent. We're combing the country for the top 5th-8th grade students and asking them to make a video that explains one of these scientific topics. If your video wins, you just might be crowned America's Top Young Scientist of the Year!
(1) Design and implement an engaging method to demonstrate and explain the Doppler Effect. What is it? What information can be obtained from observing it in nature?
(2) Demonstrate the nature of a parabola, paraboloid, or parabolic mirror. What is the importance of that shape to the space program, communications, or energy consumption issues?
(3) Demonstrate and explain graphically, or with props, why the earth's sky appears blue. Use common, every day materials rather than professional scientific equipment.
(4) Explain or demonstrate the nature of a space craft's orbital path. How was the orbit achieved? What sustains it? Provide a simple analogy; one understandable to a person with little or no knowledge of physics.
(5) Demonstrate a novel approach for explaining how the field around a conductor carrying an electric current, and the field around a magnet, can exert a force on each other. Be creative!
(6) Explain and demonstrate either the Bernoulli Principle, or the Venturi Effect......or both! The windier or wetter the better.
– For More Information, and safety tips—see the Official Rules and Regulations
– Questions? See our FAQ
– STUDENTS REGISTER HERE
Calling all DEN teachers! These "pain points" are so pesky that even the wizard himself is stuck! These topics are tough to teach, but extremely important for our students to understand. Do you have an interesting method for introducing these concepts in the classroom? We're looking for the top teachers in the country to show us how they demonstrate these scientific topics. The best videos will be shared with teachers across the country!
(1) Newton's Laws of Motion: Just the term sounds a bit formidable to non-physics majors. Using common language, modest equipment and a creative methodology, produce a short, non-threatening video introducing one of Newton's Laws of motion. Your choice!
(2) Acceleration: What in the world is that? Is that something I can do? Create a video demonstrating the concept of acceleration.
(3) The first A in NASA: Aeronautics: Many earth/space and physical science curricula incorporate student construction of a model or paper airplane, rocket, or other flying contraption to learn about the forces involved in flight. It is rare to find one that works reliably. Demonstrate your best example: a student made "flying" device that is inexpensive, safe, reliable, and satisfying.
(4) Centrifugal and Centripetal Force: What are they and what's the difference? They sound a bit alike. Are they the same thing? Create a video demonstrating or explaining either.... or both.
(5) Scope and Scale: When working in a earth/space science curriculum, large numbers are often encountered. Demonstrate a novel or engaging classroom method for scaling large numbers, great distances, or massive quantities.
– For More Information, and safety tips—see the Official Rules and Regulations
– Questions? See our FAQ
– TEACHERS REGISTER HERE