Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 34
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-523.jpg?itok=MjvhqGru)
Exploring Materials: Nano Gold
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners discover that nanoparticles of gold can appear red, orange or even blue. They learn that a material can act differently when it’s nanometer-sized.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-399.png?itok=5Is-kYcS)
Glowing in the Dark
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore phosphorescence and how certain materials can absorb and store energy from a light source.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-656.jpg?itok=YmnK7-EG)
Morphing Butterfly
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how nanosized structures can create brilliant color.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-428.jpg?itok=jH5eFhpM)
What is Nanotechnology?
Source Institutions
In this activity related to nanotechnology, learners observe some of the effects that result from creating a thin layer of material several nanometers thick.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-400.jpg?itok=SVpRqZWi)
Pinhole Viewer
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners discuss and investigate how cameras, telescopes, and their own eyes use light in similar ways.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-546.jpg?itok=HGQcLN-6)
Iridescent Art
Source Institutions
This is a quick activity (on page 2 of the PDF under Butterfly Wings Activity) that illustrates how nanoscale structures, so small they're practically invisible, can produce visible/colorful effects.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-522.png?itok=Urugo0sM)
Exploring Materials: Thin Films
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners create a colorful bookmark using a super thin layer of nail polish on water. Learners discover that a thin film creates iridescent, rainbow colors.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-537.jpg?itok=zffVb373)
Beam Me Up!
Source Institutions
This is a quick activity (on page 2 of the PDF under Stained Glass Activity) about the "Tyndall effect," the scattering of visible light when it hits very small dispersed particles.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-498.jpg?itok=XfwT9bP_)
Critical Angle
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners examine how a transparent material such as glass or water can actually reflect light better than any mirror.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-542.png?itok=6-1rLCgr)
Make a Light Fountain
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners make a "light fountain" from a clear plastic bottle, flashlight, and other simple materials.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-469.gif?itok=2E-QNEH1)
Paint by the Numbers
Source Institutions
In this pencil and paper activity, learners work in pairs and simulate how astronomical spacecraft and computers create images of objects in space.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-117.jpg?itok=Yq5LvluE)
Mini Zoetrope
Source Institutions
In this activity (posted on March 27, 2011), learners follow the steps to construct a mini zoetrope, a device that produces an illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-116.jpg?itok=pjKZJLKD)
Spectroscope
Source Institutions
In this activity (posted on March 12, 2011), learners follow the steps to construct a spectroscope, a tool used to analyze light and color.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-570.gif?itok=0bFvmKdA)
Glow Up
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore chemiluminescence and fluorescence. Learners examine 3 different solutions in regular light, in the dark with added bleach solution, and under a black light.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-115.jpg?itok=TbgS2uc2)
Camera Projector
Source Institutions
In this activity (posted on March 14, 2011), learners follow the steps to construct a camera projector to explore lenses and refraction.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-604.jpg?itok=9U5w_qhd)
Night Lights
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners create night lights using a plastic cup, programmable PICO Cricket, tri-color LED, and sensor.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-005-486.jpg?itok=vBwBe9be)
Opti-Top
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will create an optical illusion top. Learners will explore color mixing, physics and design through this activity.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-539.png?itok=HaGUuGA4)
Science of Sunblock
Source Institutions
This is an activity (located on page 3 of the PDF under Stained Glass Activity) about nanotechnology making its way into everyday products, such as sunscreen, and how effective these invisible particl
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-826.jpg?itok=H85e3iKD)
Build Your Own Solar Oven
Source Institutions
Learners follow directions to construct a solar oven that really cooks! The solar oven uses aluminum foil to reflect sunlight into a cooking chamber, which is painted black.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-952.png?itok=vpuF--fP)
Telescoping Periscope
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the many uses of periscopes and how this simple device was designed and is used in many applications.