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In this activity, learners grow germs collected from their hands and other objects. They cultivate the germs on a growth medium (such as slices of grapefruit or processed cheese) for a week.

Visitors observe a tray holding a crystal-covered brick. The crystals were created by evaporation of a solution containing liquid bluing, ammonia, and salt.

In this activity (on page 2) about fingerprint analysis, learners use graphite from a pencil and scotch tape to capture their fingerprints.

Visitors mix urea with water in one flask and mix calcium chloride with water in another flask. They observe that the urea flask gets cold and the calcium chloride flask gets hot.

Visitors mix water and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in a large flask. They then add citric acid to the mixture and stopper the flask. The resulting reaction creates carbon dioxide gas.

Visitors separate a mixture of pebbles, salt crystals, and wood shavings by adding water and pouring the mixture through a strainer.

In this activity (on pages 55-66 of PDF), learners fold paper into origami shapes and then combine several identical shapes into a three-dimensional structure.

Visitors use heat to shrink samples of polystyrene. They compare samples from containers that were shaped in different ways during manufacturing.

Visitors incrementally increase the amount of iodate in three different test tubes containing the same amount of a starch solution.

This is written as a display, but can easily be adapted to a hands-on activity. Learners observe and shake containers of shiny liquids.

In this simple activity (on page 2 of the PDF), learners make a crystal garden using salt, water, and a brick.

In this chemistry activity (on page 2 of the PDF), learners corrode a penny in a cup with vinegar, salt water, and a source of iron (nails, paper clips, or twist ties).

Learners observe glow-in-the-dark objects in a homemade light-proof box. Objects can include glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark toys, and toys with fluorescent paint.

In this chemistry activity, learners prepare two petri dishes, one filled with water and one filled with milk.

Learners mix liquid water with solid cornstarch. They investigate the slime produced, which has properties of both a solid and a liquid.

In this crafty chemistry activity (on page 2 of the PDF), learners make their own paper from used paper they may have otherwise thrown away.

Learners experiment with a piece of Silly Putty® by stretching, bouncing, and snapping it. They then create flubber, a similar substance, by mixing diluted glue and a solution of sodium borate.

Learners write or draw with white crayon on white paper. They look and feel to detect their marks on the paper. Then, learners paint over their paper with watercolor paint.

In this activity (on page 2 of the PDF), learners explore surface tension by adding pennies to cups which are "full" of plain water or soapy water.

In this activity, learners separate a mixture of pebbles, salt crystals, and wood pieces. They add water and pour the mixture through a strainer.