Kids into science? Test their knowledge with these fun-yet-fiendish quizzes – one for teens and older kids, the other for age 7+. Can anyone score 10 out of 10? Science Quiz For Teens And Older ChildrenYou might not get the answer straight away, but most of these questions can be worked out, with a bit of thought.1. A brainteaser to start. In what sense was Charles Darwin 10 times more appealing than Isaac Newton, but only half as desirable as Michael Faraday?2. Which button on your calculator is also known as an obelus?3. Which well-known Beatles song title features a form of carbon, and also influenced the naming of an early human ancestor?4. In 1978, Janet Parker was the last person in the world to suffer what fate?5. Which well-known world leader (still in the role) has a doctorate in quantum chemistry?6. Cryptic question: What type of computer memory might also be found in sheep pens?7. Which nursery rhyme is this, presented in scientific terms? “Supramural ovum experiences acceleration of 9.8 m/s/s followed by rapid increase in entropy. Consistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the process proves irreversible.”8. What do you call a joke that’s made up from cobalt, radon and yttrium?9. Anomia is when you just can’t remember what?10. What name, describing the beginning of the Universe, was coined by an astronomer who never believed in it?For Younger Children (suggested 7+)Don’t be sad if you can’t get the answer right away. Some of these take a bit of thought.1. Which children’s rhyme is often said to be a miniature biography of fossil hunter Mary Anning?2. Every planet in our solar system is named after an ancient god (either Roman or Greek), except for one. Which?3. Tests on the Large Hadron Collider – the world’s biggest science experiment – were stopped by a power cut in 2009. What unlikely object caused the problem? (a) A piece of baguette dropped by a bird, (b) an instruction manual blocking the laser, (c) a dead cat, (d) some underpants.4. Neopalpa donaldtrumpi is an animal that was named after the US President, thanks to the eye-catching yellow-white scales on its head. What kind of creature is it?5. A farm in Utah breeds genetically engineered goats to produce something you don’t normally get from goats. What is it?6. What item of clothing did Albert Einstein refuse to wear?7. Tortoiseshell cats are those that have two colours in their fur, other than white. Almost all tortoiseshell cats are of the same sex. Which?8. Which kids show features clumsy scientists called Bunsen and Beaker?9. What is astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s real first name?10. If the Sun suddenly disappeared, how many minutes would it take before the Earth was plunged into darkness?See below for answers, and remember to share your scores with @kidadlofficial. See Also7 Science Facts We All Get WrongTry this Mammals QuizOr this ogre-some Shrek QuizAnswersTeenager’s Quiz1. On English banknotes. Newton appeared on the now defunct £1 note, Darwin on the £10, and Faraday on the £20.2. The division sign.3. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. Diamonds are a form of carbon. Perhaps the world’s most famous fossil, Lucy, an early human ancestor, got her name after the Beatles song was played in camp following her discovery.4. Death by smallpox. The disease had already been eradicated in the population, but a lab breach caused her tragic death.5. Angela Merkel of Germany.6. RAM (random access memory).7. Humpty Dumpty.8. CoRnY.9. A word or name.10. The Big Bang, coined half-mockingly by Fred Hoyle. Younger Children’s Quiz1. She Sells Seashells on the Sea Shore. Mary Anning (1799-1847) was one of the greatest fossil hunters of all time, active in an era when scientific study was considered something only men should be doing.2. Earth.3. (a) the baguette.4. A moth.5. Silk. The so-called ‘spider goats’ produce the fibre in their milk. Yes, the spiderpig from The Simpsons Movie is based on actual events.6. Socks. Even on “solemn occasions” he would proudly wear only shoes.7. Female8. The Muppets9. You have two possible answers here. He was born Edwin Aldrin, but his ‘real’ name is now Buzz, after he changed it officially to match his better-known nickname.10. A little over eight minutes. Questions adapted from The Astounding Science Quiz Book (2018) by the author.
Kids into science? Test their knowledge with these fun-yet-fiendish quizzes – one for teens and older kids, the other for age 7+. Can anyone score 10 out of 10?
