In December 2008, the National Science Foundation and Pulse of The Planet sponsored the 'Kids Science Challenge', a nationwide science competition for third to sixth graders.

The competition that required budding scientists to submit experiments or problems for real experts to solve in one of four categories, attracted 700 entries. While the winners in each category came from different parts of the country, and ranged from a 3rd grader to a sixth-grader, they all had one thing in common - original, well thought out brilliant ideas!

Skateboard Engineering

Lindsay Carnes, a fifth-grader from Lewisville, North Carolina took home the first prize with her suggestion to try replace skateboard wheels with balls - either a few big ones, like the ones in a Dyson vacuum, or a lot of small ones, the size of marbles

Lindsay's idea intrigued the judges, Michael and Paul who manufacture skateboards in California because they had never considered it before and it is definitely something that could work.

Lindsay is currently at the workshop in beautiful San Francisco working with the team to test her idea. To read about her experience, check out her daily diary at kidssciencechallenge/skateboardwinner.

New Candy or Flavor

The prize for this most coveted category went to a trio of 5th graders from Virginia Beach who call themselves the 'Candy Doctors'. Devin Hollinger, Anna Xystros and Ian Williams came up with this brilliantly yummy suggestion of creating tongue depressors (those yucky wooden sticks that doctors shove into your mouths when examining your throat), that are tasty and flavorful and. . . . . that could be munched on after the doctor is done.

The team's idea was chosen by flavorist Joan Harvey, because it was very creative and replaced an unpleasant experience with something most kids would look forward to - not to mention it would be good for the environment! The three visited the Cadbury flavor labs in late April to help create and taste their yummy idea with Joan. Check out their video at www.kidsciencechallenge.com.

Communicating With Aliens

6th-Grader Kamau Hamilton from New York, won the judges nod with his suggestion that we could try communicating with Extra-Terrestrials by recording and emitting sounds that are common to our environment and that of other planets - These would include sounds of our oceans, storms, rain or even lightning.

Kamau got to visit the Search For Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI) headquarters in Mountain View, California earlier this month and meet some 'aliens', as well as, discuss his ideas with the Jill Tarter, the head of SETI. You can check out his diary and fun pictures at kidsciencechallenge.com/seti-winner.

Water Quality

3rd-Grader Claire Dworsky from San Francisco, California, impressed naturalist Adina Payton with her question about testing the difference in the quality of water between turf (man-made) and grass (natural) fields as it goes through the three cycles: runoff, groundwater and finally evaporation. She is curious to find out if one is more toxic than the other.

Scientist Adina Payton says the young girl's question impressed her because it was based on her observation of the environment.

While Claire and her mentor Aidan will meet later this month, they have been communicating on-line and analyzing the two waters off the two fields for pollutants. To read more about the experiments Claire has been conducting, check out her diary at: kidsciencechallenge.com/category/water-winner

While adults chose these four winners, you can pick your own favorite by voting for the 'Kids Choice Award'. But hurry, the voting ends on June 1st, and while there, don't forget to check out the fun games!

source:kidssciencechallnege.com