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Trading Places: Redox Reactions
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Visitors add drops of copper sulfate solution onto a steel nail. They observe the nail change color from silver to brown as the copper plates onto the nail.
Currently Working: Testing Conductivity
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Visitors test solutions of water, sugar, salt, and hydrochloric acid and the solids salt and sugar. They clip leads from the hand generator to wires immersed in each substance.
Forwards and Backwards: pH and Indicators
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Visitors prepare six solutions combining vinegar and ammonia that range incrementally from acid (all vinegar) to base (all ammonia).

Robot Hands
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This activity (on page 2) explores how sensing is part of robotics. Learners try tying their shoes with different constraints.

Bounce vs. Thud Balls
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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-).

Brick Drop Challenge
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In this design challenge, leaners attempt to build a strong structure out of LEGO® bricks that can withstand a 4-foot drop.

Make a Totem Pole
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In this activity (on page 2 of PDF), learners make their own totem poles out of recycled materials.

First Impressions
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Learners experiment with a commercial photo-sensitive paper (Sunprint® or NaturePrint® paper). They place opaque and clear objects on the paper and expose it to bright light, observing the results.

Diaper Dissection
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This is written as a display, but can easily be adapted to a hands-on activity. Learners discover how all the parts of a diaper work together to keep babies dry and comfortable.
Egg Osmosis
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Visitors observe three beakers. One beaker contains an egg immersed in vinegar. Visitors observe carbon dioxide gas escaping from the shell as the calcium carbonate reacts with the vinegar.
Yeast Balloons
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Visitors observe a bottle with a balloon attached around the mouth. The bottle contains a solution of yeast, sugar, and water.

Changing Colors
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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.

Shrinkers
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In this hands-on activity, learners use heat to shrink samples of polystyrene plastic (#6 recycle code). Learners compare the size and shape of the plastic pieces before and after shrinking.

Diving Submarine
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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.

Electrolysis
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Using electrolysis, learners produce hydrogen gas and oxygen gas from water molecules in a solution.

Shrinkers: Cook up some plastic!
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In this activity (on page 2 of the PDF), learners (with adult help and supervision) investigate how heat affects polystyrene plastic.

Designing Bandages
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Learners design different shaped bandages for different purposes. First, they draw their designs on paper.

Plastic Milk: You can make plastic from milk
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In this activity (on page 2 of the PDF), learners make a plastic protein polymer from milk. Adding vinegar to milk causes the protein casein to solidify or curdle.

Draggin' Boats
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Learners design, build, and test models of "dragon boats" made from up to three milk cartons.

Program a Friend
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In this activity (on page 2), one person "programs" the other like a robot to move through a space, trying to get them to avoid obstacles and reach a goal.