Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 23
Avalanche
Source Institutions
In this geology activity, learners create a model using a mixture of salt and sand inside a CD case. When the case is tilted or inverted, the mixture dramatically sorts into a layered pattern.
Heavyweight Champion: Jupiter
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners confront their perceptions of gravity in the solar system.
How Can Gravity Make Something Go Up?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use cheap, thin plastic garbage bags to quickly build a solar hot air balloon. In doing so, learners will explore why hot air rises.
Cartesian Diver
Source Institutions
In this demonstration, learners observe the effects of density and pressure. A "diver" constructed out of a piece of straw and Blu-Tack will bob inside a bottle filled with water.
The Pull of the Planets
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners model the gravitational fields of planets on a flexible surface.
Dunking the Planets
Source Institutions
In this demonstration, learners compare the relative sizes and masses of scale models of the planets as represented by fruits and other foods.
Pressing Pressure
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners compare water pressure at different depths. Learners discover that water pressure increases with depth.
Exploring the Ocean with Robots
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners are introduced to robotic submarines called gliders. Learners make “gliders” from plastic syringes and compare these to Cartesian bottles and plastic bubbles.
Toasty Wind
Source Institutions
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.
Submersibles and Marshmallows
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners discover the difficulty of ocean exploration by human beings as they investigate water pressure.
The Great Plankton Race
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners are challenged to design a planktonic organism that will neither float like a cork nor sink like a stone.
Weighty Questions
Source Institutions
In this activity about humans and space travel (page 1 of PDF), learners compare and contrast the behavior of a water-filled plastic bag, both outside and inside of a container of water.
Uplifting Force: Buoyancy & Density
Source Institutions
In this investigation, learners explore the force known as buoyancy by placing various objects into water and observing how they behave (for example, which sink more quickly, which float, how much wat
A Pressing Engagement
Source Institutions
In this quick and easy activity and/or demonstration, learners illustrate the effect of the weight of air over our heads.
Convection Demonstration
Source Institutions
In this quick activity (located on page 2 of the PDF under GPS: Balloon Fiesta Activity), learners will see the effects of convection and understand what makes hot air balloons rise.
Volcanic Material Catapult Investigation
Source Institutions
This activity (located on page 3 of the PDF under GPS: Lava Flow Activity) is a full inquiry investigation into the relationship between an object’s mass and the distance it is thrown by a catapult.
Inverted Bottles
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners investigate convection by using food coloring and water of different temperatures.
Heavy Air
Source Institutions
In this activity and/or demonstration, learners illustrate visually and physically that air has weight. Learners balance two equally-inflated balloons hanging from string on a yard stick.
Weather Stations: Winds
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use a toaster to generate wind and compare the appliance's heat source to Jupiter's own hot interior. Learners discover that convection drives wind on Jupiter and on Earth.
Build A Hydrometer
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will explore how a hydrometer works by building a working model and conducting experiments.