Make Sense of Science: Recent Episodes
Susan Berk Koch and Louie
Science is amazing! From cool chemistry, biology, and physics experiments you can do with your kids or to impress your friends, to articles that deconstruct the why behind how science works, you’ll find intriguing topics here to explore. You can find me at www.susanberkkoch.com/blog
What are rare earth metals? Why do we need them and for what? Do we need to care about this?
Want to know how to help your winter skin? I've got 10 scientifically proven tips to decrease dryness redness and itch.
The perfect nap is a science. Not only that, it affords big brain benefits! Listen to hear why & how to take the perfect nap.
I’ve talked about the science behind acquired taste and cybernetic eyes. I planned to touch on the other senses. (Pun intended!) What better time to investigate the science behind touch, since two scientists have won a Nobel Prize for the discovery of touch receptors.
My book, Chemical Reactions!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids, is out! To celebrate, I’m sharing two messy science experiments from the book. Not only that, I explain the science.
What would you need to live on Mars? If you had what you needed, would you like to go to Mars? Let's take a look at what we'd need togo to Mars and how we'll obtain it.
New science innovations are a testament to human ingenuity. I'm a science fiction fan, but when future science concepts and ideas become the latest innovations to help our environment and ourselves, that is too good not to share!
Want a fun easy forensic science experiment to do at a party or with your kids? You've come to the right place! Have a listen.
I’m sure you see many products and services touting the best ways to slow aging, not to mention anti aging secrets, ways to have firmer skin, more energy or better workouts. Let’s back it up and take a look at what makes us age. Science has the answer! I’m going to share that with you!
I think it's safe to say that most of us would like to find ways to be happier. Happiness is like a battery-powered laptop. We need recharging if we’re to remain in a positive mental state. Let's take a look at brain science and emotions and find out how to be happier!
'An apple a day keeps the doctor away,’ is an old English proverb, intended to instill healthy eating habits. I don’t see how that would work. It does beg the question, ‘Are apples good for us?’ Followed by, ‘Is fruit good for you?’ Let's take a look
With covid wearing thin, I decided to write a new post that involved travel! I need a virtual adventure. And of course, I must include science.
I’ve written several posts about new species. This made me wonder how difficult it would be to find a new species!
Can bacteria break down plastic? Is there plastic-eating bacteria? This idea sounds like science fiction, especially considering plastic is man made.
Guess what???
Procrastination is the 1 thing everyone has time for! Hear the pros and cons of procrastination and what you can do about it.
Why do we need wolves? As a fiction writer, my first response is that wolves are important, for fairy tales and fantasy, so we have a ready-made antagonist. Kidding aside, why are wolves so important? I want to share my finding with you!
Explores the science behind one easy way to not only keep your brain sharp, but to increase your intelligence!
With this blasted pandemic wearing thin, it’s more vital than ever to find a way to exercise. The obvious answer is working out at home. What about the 7 minute workout to increase metabolism? Does this actually work?
Scientists have discovered a new primate species in Myanmar. This little monkey is already endangered. Brand new and on the endangered list, all in one breath.
The answer behind why you like broccoli –or force it down– is rooted in science: the science behind acquired taste!
Monarchs are mythical and mysterious. I wanted more butterflies in our garden. I love planting native flowers, trees and bushes. For those reasons, I planted milkweed. My plan worked. The milkweed took off! We had many monarchs in our yard!
I started finding caterpillars. Then they’d disappear. It worried me. Never mind that fossil records indicate that these delicate creatures have been on our planet for 200 million years. They needed me to survive! Little did I know what I was in for.
Are you remotely controlled? Of course not! You decide what you read and what you click on. You limit your kids to two hours of internet time after they finish their homework. You’re in control.
Or are you? Maybe there are two sides to the social media dilemma.
I’m giving a nod to 10 great scientists and their discoveries. Many of these scientists had messy lives. Many of the discoveries were accidental. Most of these great scientists are dead.
That means they can’t refute the gossip I’m about to throw around about them!
I've got an easy STEM activity to impress your kids! Since it's spring as I'm writing this, we're going with flowers, as in Botany! (But you can do this any time of year.)
All you need are bulbs, water, and one week. Voila!
Which beverage is the one most consumed by humans? If you guessed tea, you'd be right! With this fact in mind, it follows that tea is one of the oldest beverages known to man! Its beginnings date to prehistory, a time shrouded in legend and myth.
Whenever I see an article announcing a new species, it’s usually about some bacteria or slug. Not that they don’t deserve a spot in the ecosystem, but well, slugs are not exciting.
Octopuses definitely are! Not only are they smart, they are masters of disguise. Their cool appearance and unique behavior make them legendary and loved.
Want a sublime cup of coffee? I know the secret. I'm not one of those people who refuses to share recipes and tricks, either! (We all know someone like that...)
First, we need to talk about science. Don't groan, it's true. Everything is about science! STEM is king.
Bionic eyes-- also referred to as cybernetic eyes-- are closer than you think!
While I was researching this post, I tweeted a quick poll. Even with a disappointingly small sample size, my results were unanimous.
Best and gluten free in the same sentence? No, it’s not a mistake. I’ve been experimenting. This is the time of binge baking, binge gardening, and hopefully NOT binge cleaning.
I’ve figured out how to make the best gluten free breakfast bread. How? It’s all about the science, of course.
Hand sanitizers or soap? Which is scientifically proven to work best to keep us safer? Soap versus hand sanitizers has become more of an issue than ever!
Let’s look at the science behind soap. And look at the science behind hand sanitizers. We'll see how each one works and whether or not they destroy viruses and bacteria. Then compare the two. We'll find our answer. Go science.
Magnetism feels like magic! If you’ve ever held two magnets close, they either attract or repel. It feels spooky!
I’m going to show you a cool STEM experiment to impress your kids! Instant magic. It’s easy, I promise. Plus, this skill could help you find your way out of the woods. You’ll be a bad…I mean cool, no matter what!
Do you believe in The Easter Bunny? Mermaids? The Tooth Fairy? All of these are indeed beliefs. But medicine is not a belief. And not all medicine is based on fact. But it is based on evidence.
Evidence shows that vaccines save lives. Vaccines are a miracle of modern medicine.
What the heck is CRISPR and why did two women win a 2020 Nobel prize in chemistry for an acronym? CRISPR is a game changer. CRISPR is science that will change lives.
With so many gorgeous evenings ahead, I am sure you’d love to know how to see artificial satellites. I’m going to show you how.
When you hear the word space, what comes to mind? Meteor showers, constellations, our sun, black holes. What about human-made objects in space? As in artificial satellites! Yes, we can see artificial satellites, and with the naked eye!
Discusses new tech to create graphene, with basic background information about the element carbon. And diamonds!
Operation Vegetarian isn't a quest to stop eating meat. It was a top secret WWII bioterrorism plot!