Search Results

This activity explores the main algorithms that are used as the basis for searching on computers, using different variations on the game of battleships.

In this activity (on pages 41-47 of PDF), learners explore tesselating geometric patterns (repeated shapes, similar to the art of M.C. Escher).

In this tabletop activity (on pages 32-40), learners make Möbius strips -- 3D surfaces with only one side.

In this activity about tangrams, learners print and cut out their own tangram shapes and solve puzzles by fitting these geometric pieces together in a variety of ways.

What's a more compelling problem to solve than being stranded on a deserted island?

Design a vessel that tests the limits of wind power given a set of off the shelf and recycled materials.

A design challenge that takes paper airplanes into an entirely different direction: a magnus glider uses cups and and rubber bands to create a glider that uses the same forces that a curveball (from b

In this activity (on pages 49-54 of PDF), learners play with tangrams, a set of triangles, squares and a parallelogram that can combine into a larger square as well as all sorts of other shapes.

In this design challenge, learners will use computational thinking to design their own board game.

If you have lights, cardboard, scissors, and some brass fasteners, you can make shadow puppets! Create a story-telling and design challenge for your learners with this simple and creative activity.

Learners compare the properties and solubilities of Styrofoam (TM), ecofoam packing peanuts, and popcorn. First, the solubility of each substance is tested in water.

Make a cuíca (“kwee-ka”), a traditional Brazilian musical instrument that originated in Africa. Played primarily in Brazil, now you can play it at home, too, with this Exploratorium produced activity.

If you have 3-foot dowels and rubber bands, you can can started on this fun and open design challenge. You can make structures big and small: make it so you can fit your parent into it!

Learners make their own simple slide rules out of paper and learn how they work.

In this activity (on pages 55-66 of PDF), learners fold paper into origami shapes and then combine several identical shapes into a three-dimensional structure.

In this activity, learners imagine what the world might look like if we could build an elevator to space!

In this activity, learners use microarray technology to determine which genes are turned on and off at various points in the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells on their way to becoming pancreat

This activity is designed to accompany the PBS documentary about African-American chemist "Percy Julian: Forgotten Genius." Learners look through two cups with small holes in them to simulate what it'

This is a lesson plan for an activity in which learners, playing the role of archeologists, use math concepts about number bases to decipher the Dresden Codex, an ancient Mayan document.

This activity about cryptographic techniques illustrates a situation where information is shared, and yet none of it is revealed.