I would like to ask you a question that was given to us by our science teacher and I need your help. What skills will help me to be successful in high school and college science?
Thank you.
Kimberly

Dear Kimberly,

Thanks for contacting me with your question; by learning about science, all types of opportunities are open to you. When thinking about what it takes to be a successful scientist there are two things to always keep in mind. First off, scientists always ask questions about what they observe. Whether it is about the world they see, the books they read or the lectures they hear from teachers and professors, scientists always ask questions about how and why things work the way they do. Secondly, in science it is important to learn problem solving skills. This often means... Keep reading.

Why is molton rock called magma in the volcano but when it comes out the volcano it is lava? (age 11)

This is a great question. There are two names because it is important for scientists to know whether the molten rock is below or above the surface of the Earth. A lake of magma under the surface of the Earth moves differently than lava and when it cools underground, it forms different kinds of solid rocks than lava that cools above ground. Even if the molten rock is the same, different kinds of rocks will form. It’s similar to a loaf of bread. The outside of the loaf looks smooth and dry (like lava rock) but the bread inside is moist and full of little air pockets (like magma rock) even though both parts of the bread are made from the same ingredients.
Thanks for your... Keep reading.

How would I know if I found a fossil in my backyard? (Daniel, Age 8)

Dear Daniel,

It is great to hear that you are exploring the outdoors. If you think you have found a fossil you must first figure out what type of fossil it is.

There are two major types of fossils. The first type is the physical remains of dead animals or plants. Items in this category are bones, teeth, hair, shells or imprints left by leaves or shells. The second type are called trace fossils these are fossilized remains that show how an ancient animal might have lived; they include footprints found in rock, eggs, nests or coprolites (which is fossilized poop).

Once you have identified what kind of fossil it is, you may want to take your fossil to a paleontologist, that’s a scientist who specializes... Keep reading.

Our kindergarten class wants to know why some animals hibernate in the winter and some do not?

Dear Ms. O,

You and your class have asked a great science question. As you already know, when wintertime arrives it brings cold temperatures. For animals that need to hunt for their food snow and ice sometimes covers valuable food sources and the cold keeps new food from growing.

Some animals like bears understand that food is hard to find during winter. So they will eat as much food as they can during the warmer months and sleep during the winter. When they go to sleep their bodies will break down all of the food more slowly then when they are awake. In fact, all of their body functions, like their heartbeat and their breathing, slow down to help conserve valuable energy. Once spring... Keep reading.

Is there electricity in my brain? (Age 8)

Wow that is a really good science question! Yes, there is electricity in the brain but it is in a different form from the type of electricity that powers the television. When we describe the electricity in a television, we can explain that it is created by electrons being pushed through a tunnel called a circuit. However, the electricity in our brain is a little more complicated. Inside brain cells are molecules; these molecules are made up of tiny neurons that are charged with energy. Special chemical de-coders called neurotransmitters help the body receive the electrical charges from the tiny neurons. These neurotransmitters are responsible for making a pathway for the energy to travel through the body’s cells. Once the electrical... Keep reading.