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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.

In this engineering design challenge, learners animate a facial expression and make a machine (zoetrope) that plays the animation back.

In this invention challenge activity, learners see how many objects they can grab with a homemade "bionic" arm.

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, learners experiment with their voices and noisemakers to understand the connections between vibrations and the sounds created by those vibrations.

In this activity, learners will perform various investigations to understand the vestibular-ocular reflex and learn about the importance of visual cues in maintaining balance.

In this activity, learners complete simple exercises to investigate the relationship between force, area and pressure and their effects on materials.

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.

In this simple and fun activity, learners discover the relationship between vibration and sound by making a squeaky toy instrument out of simple household materials.

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

This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under SciGirls Activity: Water Slides) is a full inquiry investigation into speed and motion and takes place at a water park.

In this activity (posted on April 18, 2011), learners follow the steps to construct a zoetrope, a device that produces an illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures, using a 16" bik

This activity is designed to let learners measure their reaction time or response time to something they see.

In this activity, early learners create paintings by making music and rhythm. Learners place paper in cans, add paint-soaked beans (or pebbles) and put the tops on.

In this activity, learners explore a scale by comparing objects, which look similar but have different weights. Learners predict and then measure the weights of various objects using a scale.

In this activity (posted on March 20, 2011), learners follow the steps to construct a stroboscope, a device that exploits the persistence of vision to make moving objects appear slow or stationary.

Make your own spin art device using an old record player! Notice patterns and effects the spinning movement has on your work. When finished, post your work to the Spin Art Gallery!

Spin a short piece of PVC pipe that's been marked up, and watch a triangle appear. Enjoy this optical illusion from the Exploratorium's Science Snack series.

During this activity, learners take part in a variety of tasks which involve moving and balancing different body parts.