As part of the “Engineering My Life“ series, I am introducing the different types of engineering through simple science experiments. My hope is that one day future engineering students will think back and realize that what they learned as a kid they will use as an engineer. I had the unique opportunity to work and live on an oil platform called Mad Dog. The platform floats in 7,000 feet of ... Read More about What I learned as a Kid I used as an Engineer: Petroleum Engineering
Floating Orange Science
Soap and Germ Science
Here is a simple, powerful, and classic experiment to show your kids why we wash our hands with soap especially now that we are trying to avoid contracting the coronavirus. What you need: A bowl of water, dish soap, oil, and pepper How you do it: Explain that our hands have small amounts of oil on them and this oil is what holds the dirt and germs to our hands throughout the ... Read More about Soap and Germ Science
The Forgotten Onion
Have you ever reached into your pantry for an onion only to discover that it has been in there so long it sprouted? (Please tell me I'm not the only one this has happened to...😬) Perplexed, I went to chunk it in the trash, but decided first to take a picture of the "forgotten onion" and post it to Instagram stories. After I took the picture I decided it was too beautiful not to observe with the ... Read More about The Forgotten Onion
The Unexplainable Science of Light
Light. Something so simple, something we interact with everyday of our lives, has properties so complex that it's beyond explanation. This experiment reminded me that sometimes even science can't give us all the answers...at least not yet. What you need: Polarizing film (An A4 sheet size on Amazon here but you could attempt this with three polarized glasses lenses), cardboard, tape, play ... Read More about The Unexplainable Science of Light
A New Year Waterclock
A new year, a new decade, (and the year I turn 40 😱) had me researching clocks for our New Year science experiment. I stumbled upon how ancient people as early as 1500 BC used moving water to tell time and to be honest, it made me not feel so old. 🙌 You can make your own waterclock and use it as a 2020 countdown clock for the kids this New Year's Eve. What you need: an empty water bottle, an ... Read More about A New Year Waterclock
