The Floppy Flyer challenge came from an idea by Kids’ Science Challenge winner Olivia Smith Donovan. She noticed how maple seed pods slowly twirl to the ground and wondered if their design could be used to deliver emergency packages. Click here to learn more about Olivia.

You can create your very own flying invention – and help scientists, too! When you take the Floppy Flyer Challenge, you’ll make your own paper flyer based on nature’s design of maple seed pods. Then, you’ll test how fast your Floppy Flyer flies to the ground and write down your results. You’ll even get to share your results with scientists studying how maple seed pods fly – and give them important information for their work! Click here to get started!

KIDS, VOTE NOW! Don’t forget to get your vote in BEFORE MAY 31st for your favorite drawing in the Kids’ Choice Awards. We’re sharing a selection of 80 of your wonderful drawings for the Kids’ Choice Awards! Check out the slideshow below and vote for the drawings that YOU like. The Top 10 vote-getters will be announced on May 31st and receive cool prizes from Jakks Toys and InfiniToy (makers of Zoobs)!

We asked some of our judges what makes for a good entry.  Here’s what they said:

David Clark is a former science teacher for elementary and middle schools in Kansas.  He is currently a science producer for Faraday Studios and the Discovery Channel.
“Scientists use models to explain their ideas.  The students that used more originality in their drawings scored higher.”In addition to the detailed drawings, I wanted the language of the entry to reflect the student’s thoughts and ideas using the scientific process.”

Steve Jacobs is a chief scientist for the Discovery Channel, the science writer for Myth Busters and the former director for science education and production of the seminal Mister Wizard television program.
1. Writing clearly and distinctly.
2. Did their explanation achieve closure….did it make the point?
3. Was it obvious they knew at least some basics / rudiments of the field of science from which their “dream” was drawn?  Did it appear they had found / researched some background information on their topic before they entered…or were they making something up and shooting in the dark…hoping for a good grade?
4. Was the idea focused with a measurable outcome? .. something fairly specific hoped for.
5. Did it stay in line with the rules, regulations, and specifics of the challenge?
6. Did I sense any excitement in their presentation / explanation?
7. Did I sense that it was indeed their personal work?

Kenny Luna is columnist for Discovery’s Tree Hugger, and an elementary and middle school teacher on Long Island, NY.
“I’d ask myself the following:
1. What makes my idea unique?
2. Is my idea realistic in a practical sense?
3. Who would be my target audience with this idea? (who will want to buy/ use it and why?)”

Other judges include:
Michael Templeton, Science Advisor, The Magic Schoolbus, Cyber Chase
Jim Metzner, Producer, The Kids’ Science Challenge
and  participating KSC scientists, engineers and advisors: Bob Full, Christopher Viney, Ron Fearing, James Spencer, Kathleen Corrado, Judy Holmes, Tyna Gaylord,  Mo Lupia, Bruno Battisoli, Stephenie Lievense, David Delgado, Ashwin Vasaveda, and Brett Kennedy.

We received a total of 1612 entries in this year’s KSC; more than double the entries last year. In the last two weeks of the competition, 700 entries were submitted. This coincided with numerous snow storms (we stopped counting after five) and the largest power blackout ever reported by Central Hudson! We’ve been on a tear ever since, uploading entries, sending out kits, working with judges and making up for a week of down time. Next year, we’ll give ourselves a bit more time to do all of the above! Nevertheless, we encourage all parents, teachers and kids to enter earlier in the year. Remember – only the first thousand entries receive the free activity kits. For those kids who sent in drawings, please check out the Drawings Gallery and get ready to vote for your favorite drawing in the Kids’ Choice Awards.

Thanks for the wonderful entries. Check this blog for an upcoming preview of next year’s science fields. We welcome your comments.

Jim Metzner, Producer
Kids’ Science Challenge