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Using a Simple Astrolabe
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In this activity, learners use an astrolabe to measure the altitude of objects. Learners will first practice taking measurements by measuring the altitude of trees and buildings.

Measuring Wind Speed
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In this indoor and/or outdoor activity, learners make an anemometer (an instrument to measure wind speed) out of a protractor, a ping pong ball and a length of thread or fishing line.

Trail Construction
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In this highly physical outdoor activity, learners construct and compare experimental trail sections to select the best trail-construction technique for their site.

Making a Simple Astrolabe
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In this activity, learners make an astrolabe, a device used for measuring altitude, including the height of objects in the sky.

Exploring Earth: Temperature Mapping
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This activity models the way Landsat satellites use a thermal infrared sensor to measure land surface temperatures.

Launch Altitude Tracker
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In this activity, learners construct hand-held altitude trackers. The device is a sighting tube with a marked water level that permits measurement of the inclination of the tube.

Map That Habitat
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Historically, sea floor mapping (bathymetry) was done by soundings.

Making Sense of Sensors
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In this activity, learners explore sensors and focus specifically on how to measure humidity using a sensor.

Equatorial Sundial
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In this activity, learners make an equatorial sundial, which is simple to construct and teaches fundamental astronomical concepts. Learners use the provided template and a straw to build the sundial.

Model Wind Tunnel
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In this activity, learners build a miniature wind tunnel to measure force. Learners construct the model out of Lexan plastic, a fan, and a precise digital scale.

Measuring the Wind
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In this activity, learners explore how anemometers work to record wind speeds and how the equipment has undergone engineering adaptations over time.

Topographic Investigation: Map an Underwater Surface
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In this activity, learners create a map of a hidden surface using a "sounding stick" -- a technique similar to how underwater maps were once made.

Measure the Pressure II: The "Dry" Barometer
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In this activity, learners use simple items to construct a device for indicating air pressure changes.

Finding the Size of the Sun and Moon
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In this activity, learners build a simple pinhole viewer. They use this apparatus to project images from a variety of light sources, including a candle, the Sun, and the Moon.

Twirling in the Breeze
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In this engineering activity, learners build a device (an anemometer) to measure how fast the wind is blowing.

How Big is Small
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In this classic hands-on activity, learners estimate the length of a molecule by floating a fatty acid (oleic acid) on water.

Gravity Fountains
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This activity (located on page 3 of the PDF under GPS: Glaciers Activity) is a full inquiry investigation into the forces of gravity and air pressure.

Sand Castle Saturation
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In this activity about saturation (page 1 of PDF under SciGirls Activity: Sand Dunes), learners will build a series of sand castle towers using a 16 oz cup.

Shaking It!
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In this experiment, learners design and build a model room in a shoebox and furnish it with tiny furniture.

Dunking the Planets
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In this demonstration, learners compare the relative sizes and masses of scale models of the planets as represented by fruits and other foods.