Search Results

In this activity, learners create a traditional Mexican noisemaker (a matraca) using cardboard, craft sticks, and a wooden dowel.

In this activity, learners investigate Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM) and then work in teams using a pencil to explore and identify the shape of objects they cannot see, just as SPMs do at the nano

In this activity, learners discuss and investigate how cameras, telescopes, and their own eyes use light in similar ways.

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 create a colorful bookmark using a super thin layer of nail polish on water. Learners discover that a thin film creates iridescent, rainbow colors.

In "Exploring the Universe: Exoplanet Transits," participants simulate one of the methods scientists use to discover planets orbiting distant stars.

This is an activity about waves. Using marbles, paper clips and rubber bands, learners explore how waves behave.

Make your own speaker with a magnet, wire, and paper cup! If you have a radio with a headphone plug and an old pair of headphones, this is a great tinkering activity.

In this activity, learners make a solar oven. Learners witness the awesome power of the sun to make a yummy treat--a chocolate chip cookie!

In this activity, learners explore the engineering behind seismographs and how technology has improved accurate recording of earthquakes.

In this activity, learners explore watercraft engineering and sailing.

In this pencil and paper activity, learners work in pairs and simulate how astronomical spacecraft and computers create images of objects in space.

This fun activity uses simple materials such as milk cartons and mirrors to introduce the ideas of optics and visual perception.

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.

In this activity on page 27, learners perform an experiment to learn about how different types of marine debris degrade and how weather and sunlight affect the rate of degradation.

In this activity, learners will create an optical illusion top. Learners will explore color mixing, physics and design through this activity.

Learners follow directions to construct a solar oven that really cooks! The solar oven uses aluminum foil to reflect sunlight into a cooking chamber, which is painted black.

In this activity, learners set up an experiment to investigate the effects of hot air on the path of a laser beam.

In this design challenge activity, learners design and build a solar hot water heater. Their goal is to create a heater that yields the highest temperature change.

In this activity, learners construct three optical illusion toys to examine how our brains play tricks on what we see.