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In this design challenge, learners will practice empathy and design thinking skills by creating an invention of the future.

In this activity, learners use a flexible magnet as a model for a scanning probe microscope (SPM). They learn that SPMs are an example of a special tool that scientists use to work on the nanoscale.

In this activity, learners explore the economics of coal mining as you they use fake money to purchase mining tools, attempt to carefully mine their cookies, sell their chocolate chip ore, and try to

This activity uses Jell-O(R) to introduce learners to microfluidics, the flow of fluids through microscopic channels.

Use a Pico Cricket (micro-controller) to animate your art! You can program a Pico Cricket to make your art spin, light up, or make music.

In this activity, learners explore how nanosized structures can create brilliant color.

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.

In this activity/demo about piezoelectricity, learners discover how some crystals produce electricity when squeezed.

In this activity/demo, learners discover how liquid nitrogen cools a creamy mixture at such a rapid rate that it precipitates super fine grained (nano) ice cream.

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.

In this optics activity, learners discover basic lens-making techniques by using a tennis ball to make a lens out of ice.

In this activity, learners investigate how inkjet printers produce tiny, precise drops of ink.

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.

In this seismic simulation, learners play a "who-dunnit" game to explore earthquakes.

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, learners use pop-beads to understand the characteristics and properties of polymer chains.

Learners compare the properties of two balls that appear identical. One ball bounces, while the other ball "thuds." The “bounce” ball is made of the polymer polybutadiene (-C4H4-).

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 demonstration, learners explore the thermal properties of rubber. Learners investigate whether a rubber band contracts or expands when heated.

In this activity (pages 3-4), learners investigate the properties of smart materials, which are materials that respond to things that happen around them.