 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Science Bob
Common Sense Media says
Experiment-packed site with some seriously fun science info.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Science Bob is a website by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder that aims to make science fun and interesting for kids. Although kids are asked to enter an email address, age, and city of residence when submitting science questions to the site, its privacy policy says personally identifiable information won't ever be posted. Parents should also note that many of the experiments on the site require an adult to help out and ensure kids are safe.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn about chemical reactions, vibrations and sound, surface tension, optical illusions, molecular structure, and other science-related topics. Kids can also find science fair project ideas on topics ranging from tornadoes to planets. Redirect links are hit or miss. You might be taken to the National Severe Storms Laboratory or to less professional sources that feature ads. Science Bob is no substitute for science class, but it should help spark kids’ interest.
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativitycombining knowledge, innovation, making new creations
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningdeduction, hypothesis-testing, investigation
What's it about?
On Science Bob, kids can view science-related videos, print out directions to more than 25 experiments, and link to other websites about space, earth science, and more. Kids can also browse through science fair projects. Science Bob also posts a response to a user-submitted question each week.
Is it any good?
SCIENCE BOB -- the website from science teacher Bob Pflugfelder, who drives around in a mobile lab made from an old ambulance and has appeared on media outlets like "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" -- offers experiments and videos to get kids excited about science. Kids can check out science fair project ideas, submit science-related questions, and access instructions for more than 25 experiments, ranging from floating a ketchup packet in a bottle to learning about buoyancy to building a rocket from a 35 mm film canister.
The printable instructions are easy to follow and explain how the experiment works. However, be aware that several experiments require parental supervision. Although the site frequently advises kids to ask for it, some may try to tackle the science tricks on their own -- and you probably don't want your tween mixing sugar and boiling water to make rock candy or creating an exploding lunch bag alone.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why you should pay attention when a website says you should ask a parent to help with or supervise a science experiment or other activity. Even if you think it'll be easy to do the activity by yourself, why should a parent help you?
The science fair project ideas on this site encourage kids to learn more about aspects of science they don't know much about. What things about nature, space, chemicals, or other topics are you curious about? Is there any experiment on this site you and your mom or dad could do to find out more about that subject?
What kids can learn
Kids can learn about chemical reactions, vibrations and sound, surface tension, optical illusions, molecular structure, and other science-related topics. Kids can also find science fair project ideas on topics ranging from tornadoes to planets. Redirect links are hit or miss. You might be taken to the National Severe Storms Laboratory or to less professional sources that feature ads. Science Bob is no substitute for science class, but it should help spark kids’ interest.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading:
- Math:
- Science: chemistry, gravity, physics
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity: combining knowledge, innovation, making new creations
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: deduction, hypothesis-testing, investigation
How kids will learn
Science Bob’s main draw is its printable experiment instructions. About 20 short video clips by lovable geek host Bob Pflugfelder offer visuals of how experiments should be done. Experiments include helpful lists of what materials you'll need and how to carry out the experiments. Still, kids may need more detail to understand what to do.
How parents can help
- Determine how dangerous experiments are and stick around for the more perilous ones. For instance, the "exploding lunch bag trick" involves creating an acid base creation with vinegar and baking soda.
- Invite kids to generate hypotheses of what they think will happen with the experiment.
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| Genre: | Educational |
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