In our fall newsletter, we issued a challenge to our readers that was inspired by our Backyard Science exhibit. In it, we called for participation in a special project that requires creativity, ingenuity, and maybe even a little old-fashioned elbow grease. But we’d like to extend the challenge to our loyal blog readers, too!

Our Backyard Science exhibit is all about connecting families with scientific phenomena that are present in our backyards. So in the spirit of inventing and building amazing creations in backyards, we’re challenging you to take a look at your backyard and consider taking on this fun project — if you could build a science project or experiment in your backyard, what would it be?

Would it be a mini Rube Goldberg model? A structurally sound tower made from sticks and twigs? A giant trebuchet? Or would you dream up something completely different?

If you’re interested in taking on our challenge, start thinking and exploring. Or if you’ve already brainstormed your project, then share your thoughts, dreams, and pie-in-the-sky ideas right here! If you feel inspired to actually build your creation, well, then that would be the icing on the cake for us. We’d love to see it!

We’ll pick one lucky person (at random!) to receive a special gift inspired by Backyard Science.

We hope you take on this fun challenge!

(all photos by Graham Paterson)