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Why Are Bubbles So Colorful?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore why they can see colors in bubbles and why they change.
What Causes Rainbows?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how and why rainbows form by creating rainbows in a variety of ways using simple materials. Learners create rainbows indoors and outdoors.
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The Shadow Knows II
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will measure the length of a shadow and use the distance from the equator to calculate the circumference of the earth.
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Standing in the Shadow of Earth
Source Institutions
This fun and simple hands-on astronomy activity demonstrates the shadow of the Earth as it rises as a dark blue shadow above the eastern horizon.
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Equatorial Sundial
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners make an equatorial sundial, which is simple to construct and teaches fundamental astronomical concepts. Learners use the provided template and a straw to build the sundial.
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Sun Prints
Source Institutions
This activity uses a special paper that can create images with exposure to the Sun. Collect objects of different shapes and sizes and use them to make interesting patterns on your sun print.
Splitting White Light
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners split white light into all its component colors using three household items: a compact disc, dishwashing liquid, and a hose (outside).
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Personal Pinhole Theater
Source Institutions
Have you ever heard of a camera without a lens? In this activity, learners create a pinhole camera out of simple materials. They'll see the world in a whole new way: upside down and backwards!
Glowing Tonic
Source Institutions
In this sunny day activity, learners compare how a cup of water and a cup of tonic water reflect or refract light in the sun.
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How does the Atmosphere keep the Earth Warmer?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners simulate the energy transfer between the earth and space by using the light from a desk lamp desk lamp with an incandescent bulb and a stack of glass plates.
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Light is Made of Colors
Source Institutions
Learners observe different light sources, outdoors and indoors, using prism glasses (diffraction glasses) and color filters.
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Bring it into Focus
Source Institutions
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.
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Finding the Size of the Sun and Moon
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a simple pinhole viewer. They use this apparatus to project images from a variety of light sources, including a candle, the Sun, and the Moon.
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Shadow Play
Source Institutions
In this three part activity, learners explore and experiment with shadows to learn about the Sun's relative motion in the sky.
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Ready to Observe: Enhance Your Telescope Experience
Source Institutions
This fun hands-on astronomy activity uses a variety of simple props to help learners understand why they see what they see in a telescope.
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Solar Cell Simulation
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners model the flow of energy from the sun as it enters a photovoltaic cell, moves along a wire and powers a load.
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The Shadow Knows I
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will measure the length of their shadow from the Sun and compare it three to four months later.
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Polarized Sunglasses
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how polarizing sunglasses can help diminish road glare.
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Make a Green Gumball Black
Source Institutions
In this optics activity, learners use a shoebox, colored cellophane and sunlight to "change" the colors of gumballs. Learners will be surprised when the green and blue gumballs appear black!
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Safe in the Sun
Source Institutions
In this activity on page 13 of the PDF, use a special plastic card that has been painted with a chemical that changes color when it is in UV light.