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Boomerang
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Learners trace, cut out and fly a boomerang, outdoors or in a large indoor space.
Exploring Tools: Special Microscopes
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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.
Helicopter Twirl
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Learners cut and fold a paper helicopter from the template in this PDF. They practice twirling the helicopter and observe what happens as they modify their tries.
Polymers are Chains (K-2)
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In this activity, learners make a paper model of a polymer, then make Silly Putty, an actual polymer.
Exploring Structures
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This event guide features three related explorations in which learners investigate the following science concepts: how you design and build a structure helps determine how strong it will be; different
Heat Speeds Up Reactions
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In this activity, learners investigate the effect of heat on a reaction.
As Straight as a Pole
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In this engineering activity (page 3 of PDF), young learners investigate how a pole can be made stable by “planting” its base in the ground or adding supports to the base.
Designing a Wall
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In this engineering activity (page 5 of PDF), young learners investigate how materials and design contribute to the strength of a structure, particularly walls.
Make Your Own Butterfly
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In this activity (on the left side of page 5, continued on the right side of page 4 of the PDF), learners make models of colorful butterflies.
Rocket Pinwheel
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This is an activity about motion, power, air and Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Paper Bridges
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In this activity, learners build bridges using paper and explore how much weight each bridge design can support.
Straws and Pins
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In this activity, learners build bridges and cantilevers in a series of "building out" challenges with straws and pins.
Clay Bridges
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In this activity, learners make bridges using an oil-based modeling clay (plasticene). The instructions include discussion questions for both before and after bridge building.
Clay Beams and Columns
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In this activity, learners make or use pre-made clay beams to scale and proportion. Specifically, they discover that when you scale up proportionally (i.e.
Exploring the Universe: Static Electricity
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This activity encourages visitors to build an electroscope—a simplified version of one of the tools scientists use to study the invisible forces on Earth and in space.
Atoms and Matter (K-2)
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In this activity, learners explore atoms as the smallest building blocks of matter. With adult help, learners start by dividing play dough in half, over and over again.
Wonderful Weather
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In this activity, learners conduct three experiments to examine temperature, the different stages of the water cycle, and how convection creates wind.
Draggin' Boats
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Learners design, build, and test models of "dragon boats" made from up to three milk cartons.
Prepare for a Dock Shop Field Trip
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In this activity, learners explore what makes a boat float and sink. They examine and test various objects to determine why objects float or sink.
Soapy Boat
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Learners discover that soap can be used to power a boat. Learners make a simple, flat boat model, put it in water, and then add a drop of detergent at the back of the boat.