Scientists Say

A weekly word defined, in a sentence and in context.

  1. Space

    Scientists Say: Solar wind

    This is a powerful gust of charged particles that flows out from the sun through the solar system.

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  2. Life

    Scientists Say: Adaptation

    This word refers to a feature of a living thing that helps it better survive in its environment — or the process of that feature evolving in a population.

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  3. Earth

    Scientists Say: Savanna

    Savannas exist where there is more rainfall than in a desert, but less than in a forest.

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  4. Life

    Scientists Say: Experiment

    An experiment is a set of procedures to learn about the world — and an important part of the scientific process.

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  5. Earth

    Scientists Say: Avalanche

    The word avalanche usually refers to a huge snowslide down a mountain, but it can also be used to describe any large mass of material tumbling downhill.

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  6. Climate

    Scientists Say: El Niño and La Niña

    El Niño and La Niña are part of a climate cycle that results in major weather changes every few years.

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  7. Oceans

    Scientists Say: Atoll

    Atolls form when coral reefs build up around underwater volcanoes.

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  8. Physics

    Scientists Say: Convection

    Convection is a process that transfers heat through the movement of liquid or gas.

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  9. Plants

    Scientists Say: Phloem

    Phloem is tissue that delivers food, made in leaves during photosynthesis, to the rest of a plant.

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  10. Animals

    Scientists Say: Marsupial

    These mammals are known for riding around in a pouch on their mother’s belly, where they continue developing after they’re born.

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  11. Chemistry

    Scientists Say: Electron

    Electrons are negatively charged particles. They are attracted to the positively charged particles in the center, or nucleus, of an atom.

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  12. Earth

    Scientists Say: Magma and lava

    The word magma refers to molten rock deep inside Earth. That rock is called lava when it reaches Earth’s surface.

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