Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 43

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.

Exploring Products: Nano Sand
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how water behaves differently when it comes in contact with "nano sand" and regular sand.

Smelly Balloons
Source Institutions
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.

Exploring Tools: Special Microscopes
Source Institutions
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.

Gravity Fail
Source Institutions
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.

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.

Straw Oboe: Two lips make sound
Source Institutions
Oboes's unique sound originates from the two small reeds a musician blows into. Make your own double reed instrument out of straw!

Designer Ears: Make “better” ears!
Source Institutions
Find out what it would be like to have ears shaped differently from your own! Design and make different animal ears then try them out.

Exploring Size: Tiny Ruler
Source Institutions
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.

Exploring Materials: Hydrogel
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners discover how a super-absorbing material can be used to move a straw.

Invisible Sunblock
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners find out why some mineral sunblock rubs in clear. Learners compare nano and non-nano sunblocks and discover how particle size affects visibility.

Exploring Materials: Ferrofluid
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners discover that a material can act differently when it's nanometer-sized.

Changing Colors
Source Institutions
Learners experiment with a commercially available liquid-crystal coaster. They warm the material with their hands for varying lengths of time and observe the changing colors that result.

Exploring Size: Scented Balloons
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use their sense of smell to explore the world on the nanoscale.

Diving Submarine
Source Institutions
Learners use a commercially available toy to experiment with density. They fill a chamber in the toy submarine with baking powder and release it into a tank of water.

Make Pooter
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will explore engineering to construct an insect collecting tool (insect aspirator). The pooter uses suction to safely collect smaller insects that nets miss or may injure.

Strong Shapes
Source Institutions
Is a square stronger than a triangle? Use tongue depressors to build simple shapes. Then apply a little weight to them and see what happens!

DIY Weather Vane
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will engineer their own weather vane. This activity includes step-by-step instructions with pictures and a "What's Happening?" section explaining how the activity worked.

Mitten Challenge
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners try to put together toy bricks—wearing oven mitts on their hands! This activity shows learners how difficult it is to build small things when your tools are too big.

Exploring Size: Measure Yourself
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners mark their height on a height chart and discover how tall they are in nanometers.