Peak Curiosity

Summer is just around the corner and our family is so excited to spend long days (and nights) outside. With the extra sunlight already lengthening our days, my kids are spending a ton of time outside and they are picking up on the changing seasons. Flowers are springing to life, bees and butterflies abound, woodpeckers are making a racket, and even snakes and frogs are beginning to emerge for summer.

Earth Day is celebrated around the world every April 22 to honor the beauty of our planet, reflect on our impact, and commit to a greener future. For parents and teachers of elementary-aged children, Earth Day offers a unique opportunity to plant the seeds of environmental awareness early and nurture a lifelong respect for nature.

Women have made extraordinary contributions to science throughout history, yet they have often had to fight against systemic barriers to do so. From historical biases to modern workplace inequalities, women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) have faced numerous challenges that have hindered their full participation. Despite these obstacles, their presence in scientific fields is more important than ever.

As we step into Black History Month, it's crucial to reflect on and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Black scientists who have shaped our understanding of the world and pushed the boundaries of science and innovation. This month, we honor the trailblazers who overcame immense barriers to make lasting impacts in their fields. As we celebrate these individuals, we also recognize the systemic challenges that Black scientists have historically faced and, in many cases, continue to face today. By learning about and sharing their stories, we not only honor their achievements but also spark important conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the scientific community.

Earlier this month I posted about January being National Biotechnology month, which is a time to learn about, and appreciate, the incredible strides biotechnology has made in our society. Biotechnology encompasses many fields of science that uses anything biological, or living, to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives. I wrote earlier about how when I started my undergraduate degree, I had no idea what biotechnology was. If I had, I might have found my true passion for science earlier and spent much less time obtaining my bachelor's degree. The world of biotech is vast and is constantly growing and so I want to take some time to discuss some of the career options available in this ever evolving field.

When I began my undergraduate biology degree in the fall of 2000, I had no idea what biotechnology was. Just earlier that year, President Clinton had declared January as National Biotechnology Month, a time to explore and appreciate the incredible impact of biotechnology on our society and the potential it holds for the future. However, it wouldn’t be until 5 years later, in 2005, when I would finally come to understand the integral role biotechnology plays in our lives.

Creating a borax snowflake combines chemistry and creativity. This experiment demonstrates the concept of super saturation but also mimics how real snowflakes form in the cold by crystallizing on a nucleus.

Science kits are a fantastic way to introduce kids to the wonders of the world around them. They combine hands-on learning with fun, turning curiosity into discovery. Whether you’re raising a future scientist/engineer or just want your kids to have some screen-free fun, these kits offer an engaging gateway into STEM. As a parent and science teacher, I have purchased my fair share of science kits and subscription boxes and have listed some of my all-time favorites below. So, in no particular order, and in no way sponsored, here are my top picks.

Have you ever wondered why we "fall back" and set our clocks back one hour every autumn? This change is known as Daylight Savings Time (DST), and it's something that people have been doing for over a century. While it might seem like a small change, DST has a big impact on our lives, health, and even science. Let’s take a look at why we observe Daylight Savings Time, especially in the fall, and how it connects to scientific research.

Halloween is the perfect time to get kids involved in hands-on science! With themes of magic potions, mad scientists, ghosts, and pumpkins, there are limitless way to incorporate science experiments into your Halloween celebrations. Here are three of my favorite experiments to get kids excited about science during the spooky season.

Yesterday my 3rd grade daughter and her friends were on the case to solve a mystery of an object floating high in the sky over their school in Colorado. Was it a rocket? A satellite? An astronaut? A balloon? ALIENS?! Well, as it turns out, according to this article from Colorado Public Radio, the object was a Stratollite Balloon launched by World View Enterprises. My daughter and her friends had many follow-up questions after learning what the object was, so let’s dive into what Stratollites are, how they work, and why they’re so important for science!

My students are mesmerized by outer space and astronomy. One of the most spectacular displays in astronomy is a meteor shower and it’s a wonderful way to instill awe in aspiring scientists. These shooting stars are not really stars at all but rather tiny pieces of space debris, usually no bigger than a grain of sand, that enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burn up, creating bright streaks of light.