Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 26
Solar Structures
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how the power of the sun can be harnessed to heat and cool a building.
Get the Porridge Just Right
Source Institutions
Learners set up three different bowls, each with a different mass of oatmeal. Learners monitor the temperature of the oatmeal and find that larger masses take longer to cool.
What Smart Metal!
Source Institutions
In this activity (pages 3-4), learners investigate the properties of smart materials, which are materials that respond to things that happen around them.
Lava Lamps
Source Institutions
Learners observe working lava lamps to understand how they work (included in PDF link).
Crunch Time
Source Institutions
In this quick and easy activity and/or demonstration, learners use two empty 2-liter bottles and hot tap water to illustrate the effect of heat on pressure.
Plaster of Paris
Source Institutions
In this activity (page 6 of the PDF), learners will observe both a chemical and a physical change.
Hot Air Balloon
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a hot air balloon using just a few sheets of tissue paper and a hair dryer.
Make a Terrarium
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners make a miniature greenhouse or "terrarium" to explore the greenhouse effect.
Save a Snowman
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the concept of insulation by trying to keep Olaf the Snowman from melting. This activity encourages critical thinking and problem solving.
Pie-Pan Convection
Source Institutions
It's difficult to see convection currents in any liquid that's undergoing a temperature change, but in this Exploratorium Science Snack, you can see the currents with the help of food coloring.
Temperature vs. Height: Soda Geyser Series #6
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners conduct a controlled experiment to examine how temperature will affect the height of a soda geyser.
Instant Ice Cream with a Dry Ice Bath
Source Institutions
In this chemistry meets cooking activity, learners make carbonated, vanilla ice cream using dry ice and denatured ethanol, which are both inexpensive and accessible.
Temperature Tactics
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the devices used over time to measure changes in temperature.
Chocolate (Sea Floor) Lava
Source Institutions
In this edible experiment, learners pour "Magic Shell" chocolate into a glass of cold water. They'll observe as pillow shaped structures form, which resemble lavas on the sea floor.
How Many Pennies?
Source Institutions
In this activity (pages 13-14), learners investigate the properties of smart materials, which are materials that respond to things that happen around them.
Give and Take
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore liquid crystals, light and temperature. Using a postcard made of temperature-sensitive liquid crystal material, learners monitor temperature changes.
Terrestrial Hi-Lo Hunt
Source Institutions
In this outdoor activity, learners search for the warmest and coolest, windiest and calmest, wettest and driest, and brightest and darkest spots in an area.
Drawing Conclusions
Source Institutions
In this weather forecasting activity, learners determine the location of cold and warm fronts on weather plot maps.
Magical Match
Source Institutions
In this demonstration, learners will be "wowed" as three matches burn to form a triangular pyramid shape and "magically" rise off the table.
Solar Convection
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners add food coloring to hot and cold water in order to see how fluids at different temperatures move around in convection currents.