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The Power of Words
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This simple, yet surprising physics demonstration challenges preconceptions about forces, and demonstrates the strength of atmospheric pressure.
Exploring Materials: Liquid Crystals
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In this activity, learners discover that the way a material behaves on the macroscale is affected by its structure on the nanoscale.
Smelly Balloons
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In this activity, learners sniff out scents hidden in balloons! After investigating, learners discover we sometimes can use another sense (smell) to detect things too small to see.
Cartesian Diver
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In this demonstration, learners observe the effects of density and pressure. A "diver" constructed out of a piece of straw and Blu-Tack will bob inside a bottle filled with water.
Gravity Fail
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In this activity, learners try pouring water out of a regular cup and a miniature cup. It’s harder than it sounds! Learners discover that different forces dominate at different size scales.
Gummy Shapes
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In this activity, learners use chemistry to “self-assemble” gummy shapes. Learners discover that self-assembly is a process by which molecules and cells form themselves into functional structures.
Waterproof Hanky
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In this physics demonstration, learners will be surprised when a handkerchief holds water in an upside-down glass.
Jem's Pykrete Challenge
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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.
Introduction to the New Chain Gang
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In this activity, learners use pop-beads to understand the characteristics and properties of polymer chains.
Rubber Band Thermodynamics
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In this demonstration, learners explore the thermal properties of rubber. Learners investigate whether a rubber band contracts or expands when heated.
What Smart Metal!
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In this activity (pages 3-4), learners investigate the properties of smart materials, which are materials that respond to things that happen around them.
Salts & Solubility
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In this online interactive simulation, learners will add different salts to water and then watch the salts dissolve and achieve a dynamic equilibrium with solid precipitate.
Lava Lamps
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Learners observe working lava lamps to understand how they work (included in PDF link).
Exploring the Nanoworld with LEGO Bricks: Probing the Structure of Materials at the Nanoscale
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In this activity (pages 17-31), learners are introduced to techniques that are used to determine the structures of solid materials.
Exploring the Nanoworld with LEGO Bricks: Structures at the Nanoscale
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In this activity (pages 7-16), learners model various crystal structures with LEGOs. This activity also contains additional links that explain how to create other crystal structures.
My Solar System
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In this online activity, learners build their own system of heavenly bodies and watch the gravitational ballet.
Exploring Materials: Hydrogel
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In this activity, learners discover how a super-absorbing material can be used to move a straw.
Aerogel
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This activity/demo introduces learners to aerogel, a glass nanofoam. Learners discover how aerogel is made and how well it insulates as well as learn about aerogel's other unique properties.
Gumdrop Chains and Shrinky Necklaces
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In this activity, learners thread gumdrops together to make a model of a polymer.
Harvesting Chemicals from a Battery
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In this activity, learners take apart a used zinc-carbon dry cell battery.