Since April, we’ve been creating weekly blogs for our community to break apart piece, by piece, the learning entry points to our Educator Resource Guide for the King Tut: Treasures from the Tomb exhibition on display now at the Discovery Center of Idaho. We hope you’ve enjoyed these pieces! We’ve definitely enjoyed writing and putting […]

Last week we learned about the intricate method of cloisonné in jewelry making. Today, enjoy this short, informative video by our local Egyptologist, Jan Summers Duffy to learn more about the beautiful pieces of jewelry found in King Tut’s tomb.  Jewelry was plentiful in the tomb in chests, hidden in wrappings and on the mummy […]

While walking through the King Tut: Treasure of the Tomb exhibition at the Discovery Center of Idaho, you may have run into this word a lot: Cloisonné. What the heck is cloisonné? It’s definitely not a word that we use in everyday vocabulary, (unless you're a jeweler.)  Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating objects including […]

Last week we learned about the beautiful blue, Lapis Lazuli that is found in the death mask of King Tut. Today, enjoy this short, informative video by our local Egyptologist, Jan Summers Duffy to learn more about this, “mesmerizing, stunning and an exquisite work of art.” Key Facts about the Death Mask  (Artifact #256A (Carter […]

Do you like blue?! Then, boy, do I have the gemstone for you: Lapis Lazuli! So, quick review;  Why are we focusing so much on the materials found in King Tut’s tomb?  Archaeologists are able to put together pictures of the human past by studying materials left behind by ancient civilizations.  Gold, Ebony, Ivory, Papyrus, […]

No doubt, if you’ve come through the Discovery Center of Idaho’s exhibition: King Tut: Treasures of the Tomb, you’ve stopped to admire the headrests in gallery 1. It’s hard to believe that this could actually have been used as a pillow! OUCH!   Here’s Jan! Each week we will post a piece of the King […]

It’s been a month since we last took a close look at the materials found in King Tut’s tomb!  So, quick review; Why are we focusing so much on the materials found in King Tut’s tomb?  Archaeologists are able to put together pictures of the human past by studying materials left behind by ancient civilizations.  […]

WARNING: Images of infant mummies are present in today's content. Most people are unaware  that KV62, Tutankhamun's Tomb, held 3 mummies,  Tut and his two infant daughters. Today,  Boise resident, Archaeologist and Egyptologist, Jan Summers Duffy, explains briefly about these two tiny infants and some of what we’ve been able to learn about them using […]

This is our 20th blog on King Tut! Wow! If you’ve been following along with us over the last 20 weeks, you’re probably quite the expert yourself on the content and themes in King Tut: Treasures from the Tomb. We hope you’ve had a chance to come into the galleries to see these wonderful objects […]

It’s super easy to get excited about seeing King Tut’s Sarcophagus or the huge, golden canopic shrine, that sometimes the little pieces get overlooked. Today our local Egyptologist, Jan Summers Duffy, shares her Expert insight into some small, but very important items you can find in the Discovery Center’s exhibition: King Tut: Treasures from the […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s post on the Science of Harry Potter, where you can learn what’s going on behind the scenes of some of your favorite spells! This week’s STEM topic: Biodiversity! Do you ever wonder how Nature does it? How does it continuously […]

Ancient Egyptians believed that their name, body and memory needed to be preserved to ensure life after death. So that their memory would persevere for the rest of eternity, they were frequently buried in large visible tombs with the often-luxurious objects that they needed in the afterlife. These wealth-filled tombs acted like a beacon of opportunity for […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s post on Chemical Reactions, where you can learn all about what makes things fizz, bubble, and explode! This week’s STEM topic: The Science of Harry Potter! In honor of our infamous wizarding camp this week, we thought we’d dive more […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you see the lightbulb of inspiration within your little learner’s eyes! We miss hosting Young Discoverers in person, but still hope to bring the joy of STEM into the comfort of your own home. Make sure to check out last week’s […]

When Howard Carter broke through, into the antechamber of King Tut’s tomb, in 1922, he knew he had hit the jackpot. To his right, he saw two, imposing guardians gilded in gold and contrasting black, against a closed wall, indicating something very special on the other side. We now know that behind that wall was […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s post on You Are What You Eat, where you can learn all the sustainable ways to stay healthy in the middle of this sick season! This week’s STEM topic: Science: Chemical Reactions! In honor of our Chemical Concoctions camp this […]

Why are we focusing so much on the materials found in King Tut’s tomb? Well, the materials are the key to unlocking mysteries and understanding, not just King Tut, but the culture of Ancient Egypt. Archaeologists are able to put together pictures of the human past by studying materials left behind by ancient civilizations. Gold, […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you see the lightbulb of inspiration within your little learner’s eyes! We miss hosting Young Discoverers in person, but still hope to bring the joy of STEM into the comfort of your own home. Make sure to check out last week’s […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s post on Comets and Meteors, where you can learn all about that mysterious NEOWISE comet that flew over our heads this month! This week’s STEM topic: Food: You are what you eat! Have you ever heard the saying, “You are […]

Today Jan will be exploring deeply the importance of the 4 goddesses surrounding King Tut's golden canopic shrine in Gallery 2! Ask the Expert video! The Discovery Center’s Education team is proud to be partnering with Boise’s own, Jan Summers Duffy of the OJ Smith Museum of Natural History at the College of Idaho to […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you see the lightbulb of inspiration within your little learner’s eyes when they learn something new! We miss you in the center, but still hope to bring the joy of STEM into the comfort of your own home. Every Wednesday, we […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s post on Insects, where you will be blown away to learn the difference between them and bugs! This week’s STEM topic: Science: Comets and Meteors Did you happen to catch the newly discovered Comet NEOWISE soaring through our solar system […]

This is the part we are all fascinated about when we learn about the Ancient Egyptians! The Sacred Burial. The rituals and mystery behind the mummies and the pyramids and tombs great Archaeologists have found throughout the years.  There are so many beautiful treasures to look at from King Tut’s tomb, that sometimes it’s easy […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you see the lightbulb of inspiration within your little learner’s eyes when they learn something new! We miss hosting Young Discoverers in person, but still hope to bring the joy of STEM into the comfort of your own home. Make sure […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s post on The Utility of Math, where you can learn how to solve everyday problems with strong core mathematical concepts.  This week’s STEM topic: Science: Insects! With the warmer weather picking up, the insects are really coming out to play! […]

In preparation for next week’s Archaeology Camp, today Jan shows her Marshalltown Trowel used in excavations and explains how to dig a site. King Tut is NOW OPEN at the Discovery Center of Idaho! Come see this amazing archaeological find with your own eyes!  Be prepared for your visit and take some time to go […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you see the lightbulb of inspiration within your little learner’s eyes when they learn something new! We miss you in the center, but still hope to bring the joy of STEM into the comfort of your own home. Make sure to […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s post on Biomedical Engineering, where you can learn how this field is the jack of all trades in the world of engineering for not just fabricating what’s around us, but what’s inside us. This week’s STEM topic: Math: The Utility […]

More Materials! Last week we explored Gold, one of the most prevalent materials found in King Tut’s tomb.  Before we move forward to this week’s materials, let’s review our definition:  A material is a substance or mixture of substances that constitutes an object. Materials can be pure or impure, living or non-living matter. Materials can […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you see the light bulb of inspiration within your little learner’s eyes when they learn something new! We miss you in the center, but still hope to bring the joy of STEM into the comfort of your own home. Make sure […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s post on Artificial Intelligence, where you can learn about the not-so new technological advancements in human intelligence! This week’s STEM topic: Engineering: Biomedical engineering Engineering isn’t just about what creations are around us, but also about what’s inside us! Biomedical […]

Virtual Demonstrations! Since there had to be some shifting of our typical summer camps this year, we thought we would share one of our favorites with the community - for the love of STEM! Every Thursday, through the month of June, we will be sharing various YouTube lessons from our very own dino camp. I […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity!  Make sure to check out last week’s lesson on Wind Power! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer program, sharing fun, […]

Today Jan takes us through the Mummification process of Ancient Egypt.  This is definitely one of the most interesting topics in Egyptology! Mummies have been a part of our cultural psyche for ages, mainly due to early Hollywood horror films, and those that followed, inspired by mummy discoveries such as King Tut! While we all […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s post on PLANTS, where you can explore their magical world - and maybe want to go buy another house plant! 😉  This week’s STEM topic: Technology: Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t a new concept to mankind - it has […]

Materials! Materials are everything. We use all sorts of materials all day, every day. Here’s a great definition that we can explore:  A material is a substance or mixture of substances that constitutes an object. Materials can be pure or impure, living or non-living matter. Materials can be classified based on their physical and chemical […]

Virtual Demonstrations! Since there had to be some shifting of our typical summer camps this year, we thought we would share one of our favorites with the community - for the love of STEM! Every Thursday, through the month of June, we will be sharing various YouTube lessons from our very own dino camp. I […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity!  Make sure to check out last week’s lesson on Waterwheels!! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer program, sharing fun, hands-on […]

We hope you were able to check out last week’s Dino Kit unpacking! Thank you to everyone who reached out to us; we’ve sold all of our stock!  This week we’re sharing our Chemistry Camp Kits! As with each of our kits, we have included materials/ingredients for 5 fun-filled STEM activities for you to do […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s post on Math Anxiety, where you can learn how easy math really can be! This week’s STEM topic: Science: Plants! Not only do plants bring allergies every year, but they also bring us LIFE! How? Plants supply food to nearly […]

Today Jan gets to show off her Falcon Mummy and curator gloves!   We can see falcons soaring over our heads everyday, here in the Treasure Valley. Would you ever think of making one into a mummy?! Horus, the ancient Egyptian god of the sky, was depicted as a man with the head of a falcon. […]

Thursday Demonstrations! Since there had to be some shifting of our typical summer camps this year, we thought we would share one of our favorites with the community - for the love of STEM! Every Thursday, through the month of June, we will be sharing various YouTube lessons from our very own dino camp. I […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity!  Make sure to check out last week’s lesson on Funnel the Sun! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer Educators doing […]

Hi Everyone! We’re super excited to share our new take-home STEM kits with you. This summer the Education Department has had to re-think our summer camp program and our overall visitor engagement process with closings and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In response, we put on our thinking caps and came up with a […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s exploration of The Internet, where you can learn where all of our information comes from and how those Google searches work! This week’s STEM topic: Math: Math Anxiety One of the most incredible things that human brains are capable of […]

Each week we will post a piece of the King Tut Exhibition Resource Guide along with an Ask The Expert option to share questions about the section with our Education Staff and our local Egyptologist, Jan Summer Duffy. Share your questions about today’s section here:  In Part 1, (posted on May 22) we explored the […]

Welcome to Thursday demonstrations! Since there had to be some shifting of our typical summer camps this year, we thought we would share one of our favorites with the community - for the love of STEM! Every Thursday, through the month of June, we will be sharing various YouTube lessons from our very own dino […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity!  Make sure to check out last week’s lesson on Scientist Journals! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer Educators doing what […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s exploration of Environmental Engineering, where you can learn about the ultimate eco-warriors! This week’s STEM topic: Technology of the Internet! We all access the internet every day, at the tips of our knowledge-greedy fingers, and most of us don’t really […]

Today Jan provides more of her expert insight into ancient life along the Nile River. Considering that King Tutankamun lived over 5,000 years ago in a country over 5,000 miles away from us, Ancient Egyptian life wasn’t all that different from life here in the Treasure Valley. How do our river systems affect our way […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity!  Make sure to check out last week’s lesson on Living Kitchen! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer Educators doing what […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s exploration of Extreme Weather, where you will be blown away by what you learn about stormy days!  This week’s STEM topic: Engineering: Environmental Engineering Earth’s environment makes life possible! Consider environmental engineers as the ultimate green warriors - they focus […]

Each week we will post a piece of the Resource Guide along with an Ask The Expert option to share questions about the section with our Education Staff and our local Egyptologist, Jan Summer Duffy. Share your questions about today’s section here! We hope you liked last week’s Ask the Expert video with Boise’s own, […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity! Make sure to check out last week’s lesson on Walking Rainbow! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer Educators doing what […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s exploration of  Electricity, where you can learn what really turns on your lights or power your very computer! This week’s STEM topic: Science: Extreme Weather! Thanks to Max and Julie for the request! 🙂 Weather is the condition of the […]

Today Jan takes provides more of her expert insight into the DNA of Egypt’s King Tut and the 18th Dynasty or (New Kingdom, which lasted from about 1,550 BCE to 1,295 BCE). What is DNA? Briefly, DNA are the distinctive characteristics or qualities of someone or something, and are regarded as being unchangeable. This has […]

  Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity!  Make sure to check out last week’s lesson on The Life Cycle of a Butterfly! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s exploration of  Golden Spiral & the Fibonacci Sequence, where you can learn how math - from patterns to geometry - is in your very own backyard! This week’s STEM topic: Science of   Electricity!⚡ Electricity is all around us: it […]

Each week we will post a piece of the Resource Guide along with an Ask The Expert option to share questions about the section with our Education Staff and our local Egyptologist, Jan Summer Duffy. Share your questions about today’s section here. We hope you liked last week’s Ask the Expert video with Boise’s own, […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer Educators doing what they do best, sharing fun, hands-on activities geared for the Pre-K […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s exploration of Coding, where you can learn what it is and where to find it your everyday lives to solve complex problems and questions!  This week’s STEM topic: Math: Golden Spiral & the Fibonacci Sequence  Have you ever noticed the […]

The Discovery Center’s Education team is proud to be partnering with Boise’s own, Jan Summers Duffy of the OJ Smith Museum of Natural History at the College of Idaho to provide an expert voice in the development of our Teacher Resource materials, content and tour development for the exhibition. We will be posting multiple informational […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer Educators doing what they do best, sharing fun, hands-on activities geared for the Pre-K […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s exploration of Earth Day, where you can learn what climate change is, and how we can decrease our impact on the planet! This week’s STEM topic: Technology and Engineering: Coding Code is all around you and the results are everywhere! […]

Each week we will post a piece of the Resource Guide along with an Ask The Expert option to share questions about the section with our Education Staff and our local Egyptologist, Jan Summer Duffy. Share your questions about today’s section here:  This week we continue our exploration of the  “18th Dynasty of Egypt & […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer Educators doing what they do best, sharing fun, hands-on activities geared for the Pre-K […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s exploration of The Engineering Process, where you can learn how to think like an engineer to define and solve simple design problems! This week’s STEM topic: Science: Climate Change In honor of Earth Day, we should all remember what the […]

Each week we will post a piece of the Resource Guide along with an Ask The Expert option to share questions about the section with our Education Staff and our local Egyptologist, Jan Summer Duffy. Share your questions about today’s section here. This week we begin to explore our “18th Dynasty of Egypt & DNA” […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity! Every Wednesday, we are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer Educators doing what they do best, sharing fun, hands-on activities geared for the Pre-K audience […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration! In case you missed it: Check out last week’s playlist on Exploring Fossils, where you can learn about what a Paleontologist does and how fossils are made! This week’s STEM topic: Engineering: The Engineering Process   The staff at Discovery Center of Idaho misses getting creative and working on […]

We’re sharing our King Tut Educator Resource Guide with the public to prepare you for our exciting new exhibition opening at the Discovery Center of Idaho upon our re-opening. This guide was originally intended for our 6th and 7th-grade teacher audience, but is chock-full of fun and interesting facts, activities and YouTube videos that we […]

Welcome scientists! Are you ready to get curious? There’s nothing like the feeling when you learn something new! Join us for this week’s #STEMatHome Young Discoverers activity! Every Wednesday, we will are uploading a new #STEMatHome video of our Young Discoverer Educators doing what they do best, sharing fun, hands-on activities geared for the Pre-K […]

Welcome to this week’s STEM exploration!  In case you missed it: Last week Idaho experienced an earthquake that measured 6.5 on the Richter scale! That’s crazy! It was the 2nd strongest earthquake in Idaho’s recorded history. So, last week, we posted a short playlist on our YouTube channel all about earthquakes. Check out the “Explore […]

Here is a fun classic engineering project for today's #STEMatHome activity! No matter the age, launching into STEM is sure to be a fun time for your entire family with this DCI favorite - happy watching! What You'll Need: Popsicle sticks Rubber bands Launching materials! Steps: Make a stack of popsicle sticks by stacking them […]

Our Discovery Center team is eager to share this list of great online resources, virtual tours and live streaming events from science centers and STEM organizations across the continent for those days you're stuck inside. #STEMatHome

What You'll Need: Two disposable cups—plastic works best Rubber bands—two per launcher Clear craft tape Electrical or duct tape Hole punch Scissors Paper rockets (Printable PDF) Coloring supplies 1. Using the thicker tape, tape around the wider end of your cup, just below the rim 2. Punch four equally spaced holes through the tape, just […]

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 […]

Most of us know about the big dipper and the little dipper but did you know the big dipper is part of Ursa Major, a celestial bear? What about Cassiopeia, a queen who was put up in the sky as a punishment? The stars light up the night for us, but what are the stories […]

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 […]