What would happen if all roads in Phoenix were made of graham crackers? (Science in the City - Roads)

Roads need to be smooth, strong, durable, and maintained or else we are going to hear about it as civil engineers. Roads also have to fit pipes, wires, and sewers underneath! During Builder’s Paradise, our innovative students at Kids Science Labs investigated

• How to make concrete with various pebble-like textures for added friction

• How potholes are created and how to use science to prevent environmental damage to roads

• Which materials would be best for building roads, and then customizing our very own yellow brick roads with strawberry infusions so driving is both safe and full of wonderful aromas

• When changes in road designs are necessary based on geographic and climate variations that impact safety and our desired driving experiences

Students engaged in problem solving on how to manufacture concrete and to keep each level of the earth flat, when pouring their own custom concrete aggregate. Each child at KSL explored the science in our city layers under the surface, including rocks, soil, clay, and minerals, as well as what happens when concrete (plaster) is poured with varying aggregate materials. This is a two-day experience @ KSL and teachers focused on enhancing confidence through overcoming design mistakes, and problem solving to improve existing designs.

Show the video to your student to learn more or watch it with them to build more confidence in understanding how roads are built in Science in the City!

How could we build a safer bow and arrow that launched a projectile over 250 feet for the Olympics? (Science of Games - HSW)

Most games have rules and boundary conditions, otherwise they would be mass chaos. Some games use equipment, and those levers and balls are designed with a lot of intention because different materials affect how the game can be played. With the Olympics just around the corner, our students used hands-on science to explore the forces, materials, and even the types of rules that optimize fun for the participants.

Today, in this How Stuff Works camp about Sports Medicine and the Olympics, our students designed a unique game of Knockout Ball using custom paddles and materials, while exploring hands-on science:

• how the length of materials of a stick can significantly influence the distance a ball travels when hit (levers apply a force)

• how various balls are made, and how their size, shape and material science affect the distance they travel, as well as the elastic force they can generate

• why most games need rules to allow players to understand how to compete

• how science is used in every Olympic Sport to optimize an athletes ability to compete at the highest level

Your child made a version of Knockout ball and you can engage with them by watching the video below about the science of how rubber balls, such as basketballs, are made…

What would happen if all roads in L.A. were made of graham crackers? (Science in the City - Roads)

Roads need to be smooth, strong, durable, and maintained or else we are going to hear about it as civil engineers. Roads also have to fit pipes, wires, and sewers underneath! During Builder’s Paradise, our innovative students at Kids Science Labs investigated

• How to make concrete with various pebble-like textures for added friction

• How potholes are created and how to use science to prevent environmental damage to roads

• Which materials would be best for building roads, and then customizing our very own yellow brick roads with strawberry infusions so driving is both safe and full of wonderful aromas

• When changes in road designs are necessary based on geographic and climate variations that impact safety and our desired driving experiences

Students engaged in problem solving on how to manufacture concrete and to keep each level of the earth flat, when pouring their own custom concrete aggregate. Each child at KSL explored the science in our city layers under the surface, including rocks, soil, clay, and minerals, as well as what happens when concrete (plaster) is poured with varying aggregate materials. This is a two-day experience @ KSL and teachers focused on enhancing confidence through overcoming design mistakes, and problem solving to improve existing designs.

Show the video to your student to learn more or watch it with them to build more confidence in understanding how roads are built in Science in the City!