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, learners make pykrete by freezing a mixture of water and a material like cotton wool, grass, hair, shredded paper, wood chips, or sawdust.

In this activity (on pages 4-5), learners make fake snow by adding water to the super-absorbant chemical from diapers, sodium polyacrylate.

In this activity, learners investigate just how small a billionth of a meter is by attempting to cut a paper ruler down to a nanometer-sized sliver.

In this physics demonstration, learners are challenged to break a raw egg just by squeezing it. Learners will be shocked by their inability to complete the deceivingly simple challenge.

Learners create a small explosion by collecting hydrogen and oxygen gas together and squeezing them into a flame.

In this tabletop board game, players will represent a team of scientists and engineers sending a spacecraft on a mission to space.

In this hands-on activity, learners use heat to shrink samples of polystyrene plastic (#6 recycle code). Learners compare the size and shape of the plastic pieces before and after shrinking.

This activity shows learners how computers use numbers to represent pictures. A grid is used to represent the pixels (short for picture elements) of a computer screen.

In this activity, learners thread gumdrops together to make a model of a polymer.

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

This activity helps students learn how computers "compress" text by identifying repeating patterns of letters, words, and phrases.

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.

This magic trick is based on how computers detect and correct data errors.

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!

In this activity, learners discover that some plastics will shrink when you get them hot. Learners bake polystyrene in a regular oven and discover what happens.

In this activity, learners work together to interpret an "alien message." The group pretends that this is the only message from an imaginary civilization, so there is no "key" and thus no "correct" wa