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Tiny Tubes
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In this activity, learners make "totally tubular" forms of carbon. Learners use chicken wire to build macro models of carbon nanotubes.
Avalanche
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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.
CD Spinner
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In this activity, learners create a simple “top” from a CD, marble and bottle cap, and use it as a spinning platform for a variety of illusion-generating patterns.
Pulleys
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In this activity, learners build inexpensive pulley assemblies from pulley wheels used for sliding screen door replacement or from clothesline spreaders.
Incredible Shrinking Shapes
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In this activity, learners get hands-on experience with ratios and scaling while making their own jewelry out of recycled plastic containers.
Plot the Dot: A Graphical Approach to Density
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In this activity, learners work in groups to determine the mass and volume of four samples: glass marbles, steel washers or nuts, pieces of pine wood, and pieces of PVC pipe.
Whose Fault Is It?
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In this seismic simulation, learners play a "who-dunnit" game to explore earthquakes.
Exploring a Complex Space-Filling Shape
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In this activity, learners build a paper stellated rhombic dodecahedron, a three-dimensional 12-pointed star.
Stride Ruler
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In this activity, learners use their feet to estimate distances. Learners calculate the distance of one step in centimeters by measuring 10 steps at a time to reduce measurement error.
How Big is Small
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In this classic hands-on activity, learners estimate the length of a molecule by floating a fatty acid (oleic acid) on water.
Scaling Cubes
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In this activity, learners explore scale by using building cubes to see how changing the length, width, and height of a three-dimensional object affects its surface area and its volume.
Having a Gas with Cola
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In this activity, learners measure the amount of carbon dioxide in a carbonated drink.
Pi Graph
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In this activity, learners use a straight line to learn about circles. Learners measure and record the diameter and circumference of different sized cylindrical objects on a chart.
Throwing Pi
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In this calculus activity, learners use a classic problem of geometrical probability to find an important mathematical constant (pi).
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
Exploring Tessellations (Grades 3-5)
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In this activity, learners repeat patterns in two and three dimensions to create tessellations.
Cylinders and Scale
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In this activity, learners investigate the relative growth of lengths, areas, and volumes as cylinders are scaled up.
Exploring Tessellations (Grades 6-8)
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In this activity, learners design unique tiles and make repeating patterns to create tessellations. This activity combines the creativity of an art project with the challenge of solving a puzzle.
The Ballistic Pendulum
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In this physics crime lab or demonstration, learners pretend they are criminologists and must find the "muzzle velocity" (speed of the bullet as it leaves the gun) of a gun used to commit a crime.
Burn a Peanut
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In this activity, learners burn a peanut, which produces a flame that can be used to boil away water and count the calories contained in the peanut.