Search Results

Design and create an optical illusion toy that makes two pictures appear to become one. This is called a thaumatrope and will allow the learner to investigate the phenomenon of persistence of vision.

Learn about dyes and mordants (fixatives) when you tie-dye fabric with Kool-Aid™ and vinegar. The colored molecules in Kool-Aid™ form a chemical bond between the fiber and dye molecules.

In this activity, learners make an optical illusion toy from the 1800s to explore persistence of vision.

In this craft activity, learners will recognize, name, and compare the fractions 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 by constructing a penguin out of portions of paper circles.

In this activity, learners create a traditional Mexican noisemaker (a matraca) using cardboard, craft sticks, and a wooden dowel.

In this activity, learners create three-dimensional shapes by making some origami models of simple boxes and containers.

In this hands-on engineering project, kids use two simple machines, levers and inclined planes, to construct their own pinball machines.

In this activity, learners build small animated toys that move.

In this activity, learners create night lights using a plastic cup, programmable PICO Cricket, tri-color LED, and sensor.

In this activity, learners build a mini crank machine to make a bird "fly." This engineering activity introduces learners to automata, rotational motion, cranks and cams.

In this activity, learners explore the gait of horses by constructing flipbooks with British photographer Eadweard Muybridge's famous photographs.

In this activity on page 11 of the PDF, learners follow simple steps to recycle old newspaper into new paper.

In this activity, learners use clear nail polish to create a beautiful iridescent pattern on black paper. Learners discover that a thin film creates iridescent, rainbow colors.

In this outdoor art/environmental activity, learners create designs that will attract attention to animals and plants in particular habitats, and then test whether their designs attracted the "right"

Learn about friction and kinetic energy with this cool spinning toy.

In this hands-on activity, children create their own kites that can fly indoors. Learners are exposed to basic concepts of gravity and air resistance.

In this hands-on activity, learners build their own kaleidoscopes and explore how light can reflect of off surfaces such as mirrors, to produce beautiful patterns.

In this engineering/design/arts and crafts activity, learners design and build "platforms" or "bridges" that can hold weight, and test which glue makes the strongest structure.

In this crafty chemistry activity (on page 2 of the PDF), learners make their own paper from used paper they may have otherwise thrown away.

Ivy Rutzky, a scientific assistant at the American Museum of Natural History, introduces an activity where learners create a scientific illustration of a monarch butterfly.