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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.
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
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.
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.
Strong Shapes
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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!
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.
Bring it into Focus
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In this activity (page 2 of PDF), learners play with a lens and a piece of paper to focus an image on the paper. Learners look at different things, and see how the lenses affect the image.
Marshmallow Models
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No glue is needed for learners of any age to become marshmallow architects or engineers.
Apartment Buildings and More
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In this engineering activity, young learners investigate multi-level buildings.
Pop Can "Hero Engine"
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In this activity, learners build water-propelled engines from soft drink cans.
Building Tall
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In this engineering activity (page 2 of PDF), young learners investigate how a wide base can make a building more stable. Learners use blocks or boxes of different sizes to construct stable towers.
Low-Tech Water Filter for High-Impact Clean
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In this activity, learners consider the water features they might enjoy at a community park--a pond, brook, water playground (or "sprayground"), or pool--and what happens to the water over time.
Exploring Earth: Temperature Mapping
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This activity models the way Landsat satellites use a thermal infrared sensor to measure land surface temperatures.