When your dreams are in the stars, an evening with a meteor shower is your perfect night. So, what is a meteor and how do you make the most in viewing his heavenly phenomenon? What Is A Meteor A meteor is basically a space rock that is passing through Earth’s atmosphere which is often seen […]

For many of us, the summer brings with it some extra free time, and that's the perfect time to sit down for some science exploration. In the spirit of scientific discovery, we've listed only the procedures to each experiment, but feel free to click the links in each one to learn more about the science […]

The Beautiful and Rugged Trails of Boise Boise hosts a spectacular selection of trail systems. We are surrounded by nature reserves, state parks, and national forests, offering adventurers the chance to explore the beautiful and rugged scenery by foot or bike. Trails such as Military Reserve, Camelsback, Dry Creek, Bogus Basin, and Table Rock have […]

Since Boise has been getting a plentiful amount of snow this winter, why not do an activity that helps the kiddos apply STEM principles to the snow! This is a great activity for the little ones that want to learn, use their hands, and get outside in the snow. Supplies: 32oz Mason Jar Craft supplies […]

Have you ever heard the term glacier? A glacier is a huge mass or river of ice that forms when snow falls and compresses into thick layers of ice. They usually form on or near mountains or at the North or South Pole. Glaciers move at different rates with some moving about 10.5 miles per […]

In the holiday season, you will see strings of lights decorating homes, trees, and streets. Some of them blink or change color. They come in special configurations: icicles hanging from gutters, string nets covering bushes, snowflakes and candy canes twinkling away. When decorating is as simple as plugging in some lights, it is easy to […]

Though it seems some people are more "warm-blooded" than others, knowing these winter tips - based on real science facts - will help keep you warmer when the cold winds blow and the ice, sleet, and snow seem to know no end. Don't sit down outside.  Stay standing and keep active. If you sit on […]

Snowflakes: just hearing the word reminds you of winter and the joyous holidays associated. These little works of art are made from ice and fall from the sky one by one until the land beneath it is blanketed with the substance. If you were to ever look at a picture of a snowflake online or […]

We live in a world where scientific and technological innovation drive almost every corner of our lives and every aspect of our economy. The children of today face a future where it's estimated that growth in science, engineering, mathematics and technology careers will far outpace growth in virtually every other industry(1), and science education can […]

With Halloween this month, kids of all ages will be picking out their costumes and getting excited for a night of trick-or-treating. We love Halloween here at the Discovery Center! Just in time for the holiday, we've put together this list of our favorite Halloween-themed science crafts and experiments for kids that are sure to […]

An explosion of brilliant colors is a hallmark of the fall season. Summer’s lush greens are replaced with mellow yellows and oranges as well as vivid reds and purples. It seems some trees turn overnight when taking on their glorious fall colors, while others gradually assume their fall color palette. Eventually, with the colder weather, […]

Summer is in full swing here and it's time for everyone to have fun in the sun. We all know the sun brightens our day, makes plants grow and keeps us warm, but there is so much more to the sun. Read on to find out more fun facts. A real "super star" The sun […]

Girls Love To Learn Now is the time to empower girls to embrace a love of STEM and to seek their future careers. As a nation, we need to stay competitive in the global market. By encouraging girls in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math we can help them achieve their dreams. Companies […]

If your kids are feeling bored this summer, check out these awesome summer science activities for kids! These fun, interactive activities will fight off summer doldrums while keeping their minds engaged. Make an Apple Erupt! This cool apple volcano experiment is a great way for kids to learn about chemical reactions. All you need is: […]

With summer rapidly approaching the thought of keeping the kids entertained for the next few months can be a challenge and ultimately a little scary. However, you can visit the Discovery Center (wink wink), go to the zoo, go camping, float the river, or you can try any of these DIY science projects that your […]

What does STEM mean exactly? We hear it all the time and automatically just assume science, which is true don’t get us wrong, but it means a lot more than that. If you look up the actual definition of STEM, you’ll find that STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Way more than just […]

When the temperatures drop this holiday, the fun doesn’t need to stop! From science experiments to technological wizardry, STEM activities offer tons of things to do with your kids. Each of these activities offers something to help children learn about science, technology, engineering, and math. These projects are safe and easy for younger kids to […]

You wake up in the middle of the night to complete darkness, not even a light from your phone, computer, or smoke detector glows. The air feels wrong and your gut tightens. You hear a low moan, then something as light as a spider web passes across your face. You don’t know what is going […]

Introduction It can be hard to separate scientific facts from fiction. There are a lot of myths and old wives' tales that have been repeated so many times, most of us take for granted that they're true! This article will explore eight of those myths, explain why they're untrue, and then give you the facts. […]

Water is Weird! It is everywhere, and we bathe in it. We happily drink it, and without it, we could not live. Although we will search and search for fresh water, we are easily enticed to jump into the salty sea quickly. What is this strange stuff? It is water, H2O, and it is awesomely […]

Quantum Physics for Dummies Quantum Mechanics studies the smallest stuff in the universe. You might know these as the parts of the atom: protons, neutrons, and electrons. When scientists look at the tiniest stuff in the universe, things begin to act really weird. Contradictory things seem to happen at the same time. Things become uncertain. […]

Fidget spinners are practically everywhere these days. Fun, bright, and undeniably interactive, kids (and even adults) have flocked to join this fad. They may seem silly, but there's more to them than meets the eye. The science behind why they work and why we like them is entirely legitimate. How They Work On the surface, […]

The largest shark to ever exist - the Megalodon - is more than just a physical marvel. The discovery of a tooth from the Megalodon by a Croatian fisherman is allowing scientists to dig into the behavior of predators of the Early Cretaceous era. Compared with other specimen from around the world, the tooth was […]

You Should Follow These Eight Safety Tips Before Exploring One Of USA’s Best Cities For Recreation. “Boise is a recreationalist's paradise. If you value the outdoors and time spent among rivers, mountains, canyons, deserts and lakes – and all the activities encapsulated therein – it's worth a serious look.” If you saw the above paragraph […]

Soar to new heights: Learn the science about drones, how they fly, and how they transmit information. Do you love drones? Then you love science. Drones are very intricate machines and understanding how to fly them means understanding the science behind them. And yes, it's awesome. Curious kids, adults and whole families alike can learn about drones […]

It’s that time of year again when families start planning their summer travels. Whether you are visiting us at the Discovery Center of Idaho or trekking to a foreign land – scientific adventure is to be had! But did you know that water also travels? Discover the science behind traveling water so you can watch […]

Trying to teach your kids a science lesson over summer or for at home classes? Don't worry, because there are plenty of at-home science experiments that can teach kids a lot without requiring too much work (or deep pockets). Let's talk about some of our favorites and how they work. Studying Density The great thing about […]

Are you looking for local trips for you and your kiddos to enjoy nature – while also helping them learn more about science, local wildlife, and the environment? Here are several ideas to consider for a day trip in the Boise area...or even repeated visits if it becomes one of your favorite places! Visit the […]

It's sometimes easy to look at science as something distant. A discipline that doesn't really affect you or anyone you know directly, except maybe at a visit to a local museum or planetarium. But the truth is that science is a living, active member of the community too! Here are just a few ways how […]