Ammonites were sea creatures that lived before and at the same time as dinosaurs. They were a bit like a modern-day squid or octopus with a shell. Ammonite fossils have been found all over the world. The fossils resemble a curled-up snake, and for a while, people thought they were remains of snakes, earning them…
Easter is just around the corner, so I’ve put together a collection of egg experiments perfect for this time of year. Eggs are great for experiments as they are inexpensive, easily available and very versatile. We try not to waste food at Science Sparks, but for most of these ideas, you can still eat the actual egg. However,…
Here at Science Sparks, we try to make science as easy and accessible as possible. When I ask people why they don’t do more science at home with children, one of the answers is usually that science experiments are messy. While this can most definitely be true, there are also lots of non-messy science investigations…
Creating a 3D neurone ( or neuron ) model is a great way to learn about the central nervous system and how messages are transmitted around the body. 3D neurone models are also a fantastic addition to a school science fair project about the nervous system. What are neurones? Neurones ( often called nerve cells…
Human teeth allow us to tear, grind, and crush food into smaller pieces, which we then swallow and digest for energy. Did you know the way your teeth are aligned in your mouth is unique to you? A bit like a fingerprint. Parts of a Tooth Enamel Enamel is the outer layer of the tooth…
I’m always on the look out for new science activities to use with my own children or to recommend to schools. There are lots of great science resources around but it’s not often I come across a whole FREE and unique education programme. Dreamachine fuses the arts and science with fascinating investigations about the extraordinary…
If you decided to visit Antarctica, you’d struggle to survive without specialist clothing and equipment. However, penguins manage to live there perfectly well as they have adapted to survive in their harsh environment. Animals and plants have special adaptations to allow them to thrive in their natural environment. Animals need food, water, shelter and a…
If you’ve ever blown a dandelion that’s gone to seed, you’ve probably found that the little parachute-like seeds detach easily and seem quite delicate. However, dandelion seed puff balls are stronger than you think! A whole dandelion head can be placed in water and removed again, almost completely undamaged! What happens to a dandelion in…
How many times a day do you yawn? Do you find yourself yawning if someone near you yawns? Do you associate yawning with boredom or tiredness or both? Humans yawn around 7-10 times a day, although I have already yawned 3 times writing this so perhaps if you think about yawning you yawn more… Yawning…
You might think butterflies’ brightly coloured wings make them stand out to other animals, but the colours are often a defence mechanism to deter predators! The coloured leaves of butterflies are an adaptation that has evolved over millions of years. Why are butterflies brightly coloured? A warning Bright colours act as a warning to other…
End of content
End of content