Common Myths
True or False: Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.
False! It doesn't cause arthritis, though it can annoy people nearby.
True or False: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
False! Tall buildings can be struck many times.
Myth or Fact: Making mistakes means you're bad at STEM.
Myth! Mistakes help us learn.
True or False: Bulls get angry when they see the color red.
False! They react to movement, not the color.
You should wait 30 minutes after eating before swimming.
False! It's generally safe to swim after eating.
True or False: Goldfish only have a 3-second memory.
False! They can remember things for months.
True or False: Bats are blind.
False! They can see and also use echolocation.
Myth or Fact: Only "smart" people can become scientists.
Myth! Curiosity and practice matter much more.
True or False: Owls can turn their heads all the way around.
False! About 270°, not 360°.
Hair and fingernails keep growing after you die.
False! Skin shrinks, making them appear longer.
True or False: You lose most of your body heat through your head.
False! You lose heat from any uncovered part of your body.
True or False: Chameleons change color only to match their surroundings.
False! They also change color to communicate and regulate body temperature.
Myth or Fact: You have to know all the answers before starting a project.
Myth! Experimenting is how we discover answers.
True or False: Camels store water in their humps.
False! Their humps store fat.
A penny dropped from a skyscraper could seriously hurt someone below.
False! Air resistance keeps it from reaching dangerous speeds.
True or False: Humans only use 10% of their brains.
False! We use all parts of our brains for different tasks.
True or False: The Great Wall of China can be seen from space with the naked eye.
False!
Myth or Fact: Teamwork makes STEM projects better.
Myth or Fact: Teamwork makes STEM projects better.
True or False: Touching a baby bird will make its parents reject it.
False! Most birds don't have a strong sense of smell.
Reading in dim light permanently damages your eyes.
False! It may cause eye strain, but not permanent damage.
True or False: Sugar makes kids hyper.
Mostly False! Studies haven't found strong evidence that sugar alone causes hyperactivity.
True or False: Water spins in different directions in sinks depending on which hemisphere you're in.
Mostly False! Sink shape and water flow matter much more.
Myth or Fact: If your experiment fails, you've failed.
Myth! Every result teaches you something.
True or False: Sharks can smell one drop of blood from miles away.
Mostly False! They have an excellent sense of smell, but this claim is exaggerated.
Eating carrots gives you perfect eyesight.
False! Carrots are good for eye health because of vitamin A, but they won't give you perfect vision.