The Science of Glaciers and Ice Ages Glaciers are massive, slow-moving bodies of dense ice that powerfully shape Earth's geology. Formation: Glaciers form when snow accumulates over centuries and the sheer weight compacts it into dense, interconnected ice (firn). ...

The Science of Cave Carving Karst landscapes are created through chemical weathering, where slightly acidic water slowly dissolves a specific type of rock called limestone. The Key Rock: The formation begins with limestone, a bedrock made almost entirely of the...

The Science of "Breaking Down" Plastics don't truly decompose; instead, they break apart very slowly into smaller and smaller fragments through a process called photodegradation. Decomposition (Good): Organic items are broken down by microorganisms and recycled into...

The Science of Earth's Heat Geothermal energy is possible because the Earth’s core is incredibly hot, and that heat is constantly transferred outward through the crust. Source of Heat: The Earth's core is as hot as the sun's surface (5,500°C), primarily due to...

What is Citizen Science? Citizen science is a partnership between public and professional scientists that gathers and analyzes environmental data. How it works (at our level): People observe nature (plants, insects, birds), test local water with simple kits (like pH...

The Double Agent Molecule Soap is a chemical "double agent" with two distinct ends that allow it to tackle both oil and water. Water is polar (it has a slight charge), and oil/grease is non-polar (no charge) A soap molecule is special because it has two parts: The...

What is Rust? Rust isn't just dirt; it's a specific chemical reaction called oxidation. Rust is the common name for iron oxide (Fe₂O₃·nH₂O) Formation: It's formed when iron (or alloys like steel that contain iron) reacts with oxygen in the presence of water (or...

Metabolism Basics Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that turn food into usable energy and the parts your body needs. Two sides: Catabolism breaks molecules to release energy; anabolism builds new molecules. ATP: Cells convert food energy into ATP, the...

How Homeostasis Works Your body stays steady by running feedback loops that detect and correct change. Set point: Target levels the body maintains (≈98.6°F, normal blood sugar). Sensors: Nerves/monitors detect changes—skin & blood temp, pancreatic glucose sensors....

What Are Bioactives? Bioactives are naturally occurring compounds in food that can modulate body functions (inflammation, cell signals, immunity). They’re not vitamins but plant-made helper compounds that can support our health. Major groups with examples:...