3rd Grade

Being a great surfer requires more than skill and instinct. It's a sport that relies on science! Without buoyancy, surfers would sink. Without acceleration, they could not travel the length of a wave. Science...

At Smithsonian's National Zoo, keeping the zoo animals happy and healthy is a big job. Part of this involves creating enclosures and habitats that make the animals feel at home. Learn how zookeepers designed a...

Did you know that steam can be used to power engines? In fact, steam power drastically changed the manufacturing and transportation industries. Learn about the history of steam power and the engineers who made...

If you were traveling to outer space, what would you wear? Luckily, some of the best scientists have figured that out for astronauts. NASA scientists and engineers have designed the best gear to help astronauts...

Imagine having a job where you get paid to draw! Botanical illustrators draw detailed illustrations of plants. Learn about this job, the tools that are used, and how it helps science. In this STEAM career,...

Have you ever wondered how something flies? Wilbur and Orville Wright had the same question more than 100 years ago. Today, the Wright brothers are known as the forefathers of flight. Learn about the...

The stars in the sky are part of our galaxy, the Milky Way. Scientists have tried to map the Milky Way for centuries, but it is hard! The Milky Way is so large, scientists cannot simply take a picture of it...

A marble rolls down a tube. It hits a doll, which knocks over some dominoes. Anything can happen in a Rube Goldberg Machine! These machines take simple tasks and make them complex and fun. Do you have what it...

How did sailors long ago know how to get from here to there? They needed smarts, bravery, and tools of navigation! Many of the tools used then are still used in some form today. Modern technology allows...

Seismologists have an important job. These scientists study earthquakes. Why is it so important to study earthquakes? By studying quakes, seismologists can help protect people from injury and death. Learn...

Hundreds of years ago, the Inka Empire was the largest on Earth. The Inka were great builders, and created roads that helped the empire run smoothly. The most impressive part of the Inka roads were the...

Modern meteorologists put science to work to predict what the future holds. These predictions tell people how to dress for the day, or whether to pack an umbrella. But that's not all they do! They also track...