Safe Cycling
Bike riding is a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. Read about how people have made cycling safe over the years. ... MoreSafe Cycling
Designing a Shuttle
In the 1970s, NASA wanted to build a new kind of spacecraft that could be used over and over again. The Space Shuttle Pr... MoreDesigning a Shuttle
The Art and Science of Skateboarding
Learn about the science behind skateboarding! From the physics behind skateboard tricks, to the design of the skateboard... MoreThe Art and Science of Skateboarding
Rebuilding the Body
The first prosthetic devices consisted of wooden legs and hooks for hands. Today, many prostheses and bionics can do eve... MoreRebuilding the Body
Saving a Species
Learn how employees at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are working hard to save animal spe... MoreSaving a Species
Helping People See
Over the years, people have looked for ways to improve our imperfect sight. This has led us to the world of optics, whic... MoreHelping People See
Making Movies in Technicolor
It's hard to imagine the film The Wizard of Oz without the "yellow" brick road or the "ruby" slippers. The memorable and... MoreMaking Movies in Technicolor
Selling More Snacks
The 1950s saw the start of a big snack food revolution. Since then, innovations in food science technology have made sna... MoreSelling More Snacks
Conserving an Aircraft
The Horten Ho airplane was made in Nazi Germany during WWII. Germany needed a new weapon, and hoped this experimental ai... MoreConserving an Aircraft
Powered by Steam
Believe it or not, water can be used to power boat and train engines. In fact, water in the form of steam changed the ma... MorePowered by Steam
Saving the Arctic
The Arctic ecosystem is diverse, fascinating, and special. The animals and people who live there have adapted to the icy... MoreSaving the Arctic
Amphibian Rescue
Amphibians can be found all over the world. There are more than 7,500 kinds of amphibians living in streams, rainforests... MoreAmphibian Rescue
Restoring Muddy Creek
Muddy Creek in Edgewater, Maryland is the site of a major makeover. The land around the stream has worn down. Find out w... MoreRestoring Muddy Creek
Saving Culture from Disaster
Nature is not always kind. Natural disasters like earthquakes and storms can wipe out cities. Entire cultures and their ... MoreSaving Culture from Disaster
Life in a Cube
How much life can one cubic foot hold? Read how photographer David Liittschwager and zoologist Chris Meyer studied life ... MoreLife in a Cube
The Evolution of Space Suits
Design a flexible protective layer for a space suit. Space suits have come a long way. The look and function of space su... MoreThe Evolution of Space Suits
Making an Ocean Ecosystem
There are worlds to explore under water. Entire ecosystems exist within oceans, lakes, and rivers. These worlds can also... MoreMaking an Ocean Ecosystem
Guided by Stars
The ancient Polynesians were amazing navigators who traversed the Pacific Ocean and settled in its many islands. How did... MoreGuided by Stars
Taking Photos from Space
Landsat satellites orbit the Earth to get images. Learn how these images are made using heat. Then, find out how these c... MoreTaking Photos from Space
Underwater Training
Did you know that swimming pools are used to train astronauts? Athletes use swimming pools to train when they're injured... MoreUnderwater Training
Botanical Illustration
Imagine a career where you get paid to draw all day. That's what botanical illustrators do! Get inside the mind of a bot... MoreBotanical Illustration
Making Music with Magnets
Electromagnets have played a powerful role in music. Without them, we would not have electric guitars, and without elect... MoreMaking Music with Magnets
Plant Invaders
You might not realize it, but there are green invaders everywhere. They live in our lakes, our parks, and even in our ba... MorePlant Invaders
Color-Changing Cephalopods
Cephalopods have evolved with a strong set of skills that allow them to survive in their aquatic world. Scientists are f... MoreColor-Changing Cephalopods
The Culture of Calendars
The use of calendars dates back thousands of years. Why are we driven to record time, and what would happen if we did no... MoreThe Culture of Calendars
Raising Clouded Leopards
You've probably heard of lions and tigers. Perhaps you've seen them at the zoo. But have you heard of the clouded leopar... MoreRaising Clouded Leopards
Organic Farming
Where does our food come from? The history of farming provides much "food for thought." In the past, farmers used natura... MoreOrganic Farming
Inka Terraces
The Inka were master farmers, builders, and planners. Living in the Andes Mountains, they farmed and built on steep slop... MoreInka Terraces
The Science of Waves and Surfboards
Watching surfers is mesmerizing. It looks like they are magically gliding over the water. But what looks like magic is a... MoreThe Science of Waves and Surfboards
Electric Vehicles
Did you know the first battery-powered vehicle was created in the 1830s? People who attended the 1892 World's Fair in Ch... MoreElectric Vehicles
Tracking a Storm
What kind of weather is headed your way? Meteorologists make it their job to know. They tell you when sunshine is in the... MoreTracking a Storm
Solving Problems at the Zoo
Smithsonian's National Zoo is one of Washington DC's most popular attractions. Tag along with the zookeepers and learn a... MoreSolving Problems at the Zoo
Protecting a Sinking City
Imagine a city with no cars or streets and where people ride boats to get around. This place is Venice, Italy. Built on ... MoreProtecting a Sinking City
Blue Crab Comeback
Many people depend on blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay for their jobs. But overfishing and changes in the blue crabs' ... MoreBlue Crab Comeback
Saving Migratory Birds
Learn how ornithologists are using modern technology to help migratory birds. Created in collaboration with the Smithson... MoreSaving Migratory Birds
Predicting Earthquakes
How do seismic waves travel through rock? How can satellites help with earthquake prediction? The 'Why Science Matters' ... MorePredicting Earthquakes
Mapping the Milky Way
When it comes to mapping the Milky Way, scientists know one thing for sure. They know that there is still a lot that the... MoreMapping the Milky Way
Digging Up Dinosaurs
Learn about the fascinating journey of how a dinosaur fossil makes it way from the ground to a museum exhibit! It all st... MoreDigging Up Dinosaurs
Making a Mummy
What happens after death? That was a big question for ancient Egyptians. They believed that a person needed his or her b... MoreMaking a Mummy
Designing Butterfly Exhibits
Butterflies are a crucial part of the ecosystem. Unfortunately, many butterfly species are dying off in record numbers. ... MoreDesigning Butterfly Exhibits
Designing National Parks
Visitors from across the country and around the world flock to U.S. national parks to explore their beauty. Little do th... MoreDesigning National Parks
From Grass to Bridge
Inka rulers led a huge empire with grand palaces. They had incredible riches. Artists made statues out of gold and silve... MoreFrom Grass to Bridge
The Science of Glass
A researcher looks at cells under a microscope. A scientist studies bacteria in a Petri dish. A student boils liquid in ... MoreThe Science of Glass
Navigating at Sea
Navigation instruments have changed over time. Lodestones, sunstones, and sextants helped early navigators find their wa... MoreNavigating at Sea
Exploring Volcanic Activity
Our planet is covered with volcanoes. They are fascinating natural wonders that are potentially dangerous and destructiv... MoreExploring Volcanic Activity
