February 21, 2025
The CEO of one of America’s oldest scientific societies discusses the recent cuts to scientific institutions, and how scientists can respond. Plus, flu infections are the highest they’ve been in nearly 30 years, and flu deaths this winter have surpassed COVID deaths. And, a video of a gloriously creepy anglerfish inspired tears and poetry online.
Challenge: Make A Better Face Mask
Now that masks are a regular part of life, it’s time to design ones that look and feel just a little bit cooler.
Challenge: Create Something New Using Plastic Bags
Your challenge is to repurpose plastic shopping bags to create something new and useful. The sky’s the limit, whether you’re making a prom dress, area rug, a dog poncho, or a kite!
Challenge: Make Your Own Paint
Say you run out of paint, what should you do? Make paint from scratch! Learn about pigments and get experimenting in this DIY paint challenge.
Maker Challenge: Engineer With Cardboard
What can you design, engineer, or make out of cardboard? Pretty much anything. Get creative and take this all-ages open-ended challenge.
Challenge: Design A Game
A good game is fun, challenging, and social. Your challenge is to invent a new game.
Challenge: Simulate A Sneeze
Make sneeze art, and learn a bit about fluid dynamics in the process
Challenge: Build A Roller Coaster
Roller coasters are fun, fast, and are a great example of physics in action. Let’s make one.
11:16
Three Missions To Mars
The United Arab Emirates, China and the U.S. are all launching missions to Mars this month.
16:46
New Photos Show Swirling Mysteries On Sun’s Surface
Scientists say phenomena on the surface of the sun look like “campfires.”
12:11
Federal Ruling Against Common Herbicides Leaves Farmers Confused
While this is an environmental win, farmers say the ruling is yet another hurdle in an already difficult year.
17:06
Preparing For Long-term Health Effects Of COVID-19
As recovered patients return home, medical professionals are learning about lingering health effects from serious cases of COVID-19.
16:41
Why Mosquitos Are Mingling More With Humans
Mosquitoes’ taste for humans is growing and a gene that changes their sex might solve the problem.
17:27
Fewer Coronavirus Antibodies May Not Mean Less Immunity
Here’s what you should know about coronavirus and children, the latest in vaccine development, and new research into aerosols and spike mutations.
Join Us For A Week Of Making And Building!
Let’s go to (virtual) camp! Science Friday is hosting a week of free DIY maker challenges for kids, families, and caregivers on July 24 – 31. Anyone can participate!
12:05
A Coronavirus Vaccine Passes First Test Phase In The US
The National Institutes of Health completed a phase one trial on a vaccine created by the company Moderna.
17:36
How NASA’s Perseverance Rover Will Look For Life
When it lands on Mars in winter of 2021, the Perseverance rover will search an ancient river delta for signs of life.
12:12
How Do Our Brains Keep Smells Organized?
An investigation into how our brain keeps track of everything we smell.
16:57
Understanding Plant Evolution Through Art
An art historian and plant biologist find clues to botanical evolution in paintings of wheat, strawberries, and potatoes.
17:38
Rethinking A New Aid For Hearing Loss
A new generation of tech is helping change the stigma around hearing aids.