Why are so many kids (and adults) like you bored by science? Simple:
you've had no real contact with it. You might read about incredibly
expensive scientific projects, but your hands-on experience is probably
limited to the same tired experiments--like baking soda and vinegar
volcanoes. Not any longer. Make Magazine's Punk Science issue (volume
31) shows you how you can become a real, cutting-edge amateur scientist.
Find out how high school and college students can get an introduction to
modern biology research through affordable biotech labs provided by
Otyp, a small Michigan-based biotechnology company. And learn how a
cooperative network of schools and research groups, called PEER, enables
students to learn science by working on real projects with people in the
field--including the DECA (Distributed Electronic Cosmic-Ray)
Observatory that uses Android phones to generate a real-time cosmic-ray
flux map of a large area.
This issue also shows you how to create these fascinating projects on
your own:
- RoboRoach--Surgically modify a cockroach with a wireless electronic
circuit so that you can control it to turn left or right by
micro-stimulating its antenna nerves.
- Lord Kelvin's Thunderstorm--a little-known, classic science experiment
that generates high-voltage lightning sparks by dripping water through
metal rings.
- An automatic Ball/Toy Launcher for Dogs that will keep your pet
entertained and exercised while you're away.
- A True Mirror, which shows what you look like to other people.
Pick up a copy of Make today and get involved with real science.
