Shared Science Blog

  As the new season of autumn arrives, it is a time for reflection and new beginnings. In the field of STEM, September has been an eventful month. We have observed the last supermoon of 2023 and the vivid autumn foliage as the leaves transform colors. To add to the excitement, we have included an awesome seasonal STEM activity for your kids to enjoy. Keep reading to learn more! The Last Supermoon of 2023 On Friday, September 29th, the Harvest Moon will illuminate the sky, accompanied by Jupiter and Saturn, the two largest planets in our solar system, as well as Mercury, the smallest. Don't miss this celestial event! September's Spectacular Autumn Leaves! Prepare yourself to witness the stunning autumn foliage as the leaves change color!  During autumn, as the nights grow longer, chlorophyll production in leaves decreases and eventually halts. This interesting process reveals the vibrant colors of the leaves! A Fun Seasonal STEM Activity! Sun prints are a great activity for stu...

Hello from Shared Science! As we get ready for Long Beach Gives, the biggest online fundraiser in Long Beach ( September 21st), we have some exciting science news to share with you!  This August has been packed with extraordinary events. Not only did we experience the first hurricane to hit SoCal in 84 years, but we also got to witness the Super Blue Moon, which won't happen again until 2037. Keep reading for more information + a back-to-school STEM activity for your kid! The Last Super Blue Moon of The Decade ! On Wednesday (August 30th) spectators were able to see one of the most prominent and luminous moons of the year – the Super Blue  Moon. Contrary to what you might assume, the term "Blue Moon" doesn't describe the color of the moon. Instead, it refers to two situations: either two full moons appearing in a single calendar month (as is the case now), or the third full moon in a season that contains four full moons. Another Super Blue Moon won't appear  again...

  Shared  Science made  summer  fun  with exciting  STEM activities, reveled on the  first supermoon in July, felt the hottest global temperature recorded, and is offering up two cool STEM activities perfect for the summertime! The Hottest Day in July On July 3, the average global temperature had the highest temperature ever recorded, since August 2016!    Temps reached  17.01° Celsius (62.62° Fahrenheit) and  scientists say  that this extreme increase is due to human caused climate change and the natural climate phenomenon called El Nino. Link to Article:  Last week was the hottest ever recorded — here's why we keep smashing records (sciencenews.org) The beginning of the Supermoon Cycle On July 3rd, the Full moon, known as the Buck moon, arose and made an appearance. The Buck Moon received its name because it is the season when male deer (bucks) regrow their antlers. This full moon is the first of four cons...

  This month, Shared Science celebrated both LGBTQ+ month and Juneteenth, further emphasizing our dedication for people of all backgrounds to be included and recognized in the field of STEM. In the news, there were a number of fascinating stories, including a submarine lost at sea, changes in the Pacific Ocean's temperature, and new approaches to STEM education. Keep reading to learn more! The Return of El Nino Scientists officially declare that El Nino, a phenomenon that takes place every 2-7 years, has arrived!  El Nino causes an increase in sea surface temps in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, impacting  rainfall patterns, potentially causing droughts and deluges in unexpected parts of our globe. Link to Full Article: El Niño is officially here, scientists say | Space The Titan Submarine Disaster and its Effects on Space tourism   On June 18th, a submarine tourist visit to the Titanic ended catastrophically. The event has prompted scientists to reevaluate sa...

  May 2023 :   Shared Science celebrated both Teacher Appreciation Week and Asian American Pacific Islander this month, assembled LEGO fractal shapes with students, and simulated earthquakes with LEGO WeDo. Keep reading for more info  on   STEM developments beyond our classrooms, like considering DNA data storage, losing sight of Jupiter,   plus two hands-on STEM activities   kids can do at home. Storing Data in DNA In a world where people constantly need more digital space, scientists have found new ways to store data.  DNA storage uses DNA molecules to  capture vast amounts of information. Experts expect the first DNA data center to be active within the next decade. Data usually stored in a hard drive will be held in the base pairs that make up DNA. This innovative method allows for more efficient and compact storage, with the added benefit of a longer data lifespan. Link to Article :   The future of data storage lies in DNA microcapsules: ...