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Space telescopes can offer us better, clearer views of the universe (and of our own planet) than Earth-based telescopes can, but getting these large, delicate pieces of equipment into orbit is tricky.

In this activity, learners will explore coding by arranging words and phrases to create an order of operations in this low tech version of computer programming.

In this optics activity, learners examine how a transparent material such as glass or water can actually reflect light better than any mirror.

In this optics activity, learners make a "light fountain" from a clear plastic bottle, flashlight, and other simple materials.

In this activity, learners help a poor cartographer color in the countries on a map, making sure each country is colored a different color than any of its neighbors.

In this activity (posted on March 27, 2011), learners follow the steps to construct a mini zoetrope, a device that produces an illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures.

Computers store drawings, photographs, and other pictures using only numbers. Through this activity, learners decode numbers to create pictures using the same process that computers use.

In this activity about computer programming, learners follow instructions in a variety of ways in order to successfully draw figures.

Learners listen to and try to decipher a radio message that was sent from Earth to possible intelligent civilizations.

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.

In this computer science activity about finite-state automaton (on page 45 of the PDF), learners use a map and choose various pathways to find Treasure Island.

In this activity, learners use cooperation and logical thinking to find solutions to network problems on the playground.

In this technology activity, learners explore digital imaging and pixels. Learners "transmit" an image to a partner by creating an image on grid paper.

In this activity, learners make their own binary code bracelets by translating their initials into 0s and 1s represented by beads of 2 different colors.

In this activity (on page 2), one person "programs" the other like a robot to move through a space, trying to get them to avoid obstacles and reach a goal.

In this activity, learners work together to interpret an "alien message." The group pretends that this is the only message from an imaginary civilization, so there is no "key" and thus no "correct" wa

Learners create an Incan counting device called a quipu (pronounced kee-poo).

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.

Learners make their own simple slide rules out of paper and learn how they work.

In this activity about encryption, learners cut out a secret decoder badge from a handout and use it to encode messages to each other.