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Ramps 1: Let it Roll!
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In this activity about ramps, learners explore and measure the rate at which spherical objects roll down a ramp.
Bicycle-Wheel Gyro
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In this activity, a spinning bicycle wheel resists efforts to tilt it and point the axle in a new direction.
Lava Lamps
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Learners observe working lava lamps to understand how they work (included in PDF link).
Two Ball Bounce
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This is a quick, yet dramatic activity/demonstration that introduces learners to the concept of energy transfer. A small ball is placed on top of a large ball and both are dropped together.
Toasty Wind
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In this quick activity, learners use a toaster to investigate the source for the Earth's wind. Learners hold a pinwheel above a toaster to discover that rising heat causes wind.
Air, It's Really There
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This lesson focuses on molecular motion in gases. Learners compare the mass of a basketball when it is deflated and after it has been inflated.
Over the Hill
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In this physics activity, learners construct a small-scale version of a classic carnival game.
LEGO Orrery
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Use this model to demonstrate the goal of NASA's Kepler Mission: to find extrasolar planets through the transit method.
Pendulum Snake
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In this physics activity, learners assemble and/or investigate a pendulum "snake." Several large steel hex-nuts are suspended on strings of successively increasing length to form a series of pendulums
Shake and Make: Charge Recognition
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In this activity (page 10), learners explore how molecules self-assemble according to forces of attraction and repulsion.
Go Fly a Kite
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In this hands-on activity, children create their own kites that can fly indoors. Learners are exposed to basic concepts of gravity and air resistance.
Circuit Bending with Play-Doh
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Break open that used musical toy and squish some Play-Doh over the circuit boards, and you will hear some weird and distorted sounds the manufacturer never intended!
Spinning Tops
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Create your own spinning top, and explore color, shapes and spinning. This activity contains instructions for making your spinning top, and tips on how to design and decorate it.
Origami Flying Disk
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In this three-part activity, learners use paper to explore Bernoulli's Principle — fast-moving air has lower pressure than non-moving air.
Rollin’ Rollin' Rollin'
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In this physics activity (page 12 of the PDF), learners explore potential and kinetic energy by rolling different sized marbles down an inclined plane.
Erupting Fizz
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This is a highly visual demonstration that illustrates both the effects of density and chemical reactions.
Loony Balloons
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In this activity, learners investigate how changing the center of gravity of a balloon affects how it travels. Learners fill a balloon with a little bit of water and insert into an empty balloon.
Marshmallow Puff Tube
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In this demonstration/activity, learners observe as a regular size marshmallow is blown through a tube made from a manila file folder.
Springs and Stomachs
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In this demonstration, learners investigate mass, gravity, and acceleration by dropping a wooden bar with a balloon attached to its underside, a mass suspended from it by rubber bands, and a sharp-poi
Make a Salt Volcano (Lava Lite)
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This activity about density provides instructions for making a miniature "lava lite" with just salt, oil, water, and food coloring.