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This lesson focuses on how materials behave differently as their surface area increases.

In this demonstration, learners discover that nanoparticles behave differently, in part because they have a high surface area to volume ratio.

Visitors add drops of copper sulfate solution onto a steel nail. They observe the nail change color from silver to brown as the copper plates onto the nail.

Visitors prepare six solutions combining vinegar and ammonia that range incrementally from acid (all vinegar) to base (all ammonia).

This is an activity (located on page 3 of the PDF under Water Clean-up Activity) about the use of reduction agents to decontaminate ground water.

This is an activity (located on page 4 of the PDF under Surface Area Activity) about surface area and reactivity.

Learners conduct a simple experiment to model and explore the harmful effects of acid rain (vinegar) on living (green leaf and eggshell) and non-living (paper clip) objects.

In this activity/demo, learners discover how liquid nitrogen cools a creamy mixture at such a rapid rate that it precipitates super fine grained (nano) ice cream.

In this activity, learners use chemistry to “self-assemble” gummy shapes. Learners discover that self-assembly is a process by which molecules and cells form themselves into functional structures.

In this activity, learners explore the human influences on the carbon cycle and examine how fossil fuels release carbon.

In this online interactive simulation, learners will add different salts to water and then watch the salts dissolve and achieve a dynamic equilibrium with solid precipitate.

In this activity (on page 2), learners create a submarine using a plastic cup. This is a fun way to learn about buoyancy and density.

This demonstration can be used to help learners visualize DNA by lysing (breaking open) bacterial cells on a slide and “stringing up” the DNA with a toothpick in less than one minute.

Learners make a simple battery out of "sandwiches" of aluminum foil, pennies, and a salt water-soaked paper towel.

Learners experiment with a commercial photo-sensitive paper (Sunprint® or NaturePrint® paper). They place opaque and clear objects on the paper and expose it to bright light, observing the results.

In this activity, learners test the rate of ripening fruit and vegetables and use a chemical to inhibit the ripening process.

In this activity, learners mix milk, vinegar, baking soda, and water to create sticky glue. Use this activity to explain how engineers develop and evaluate new materials and products.

In this activity on page 15 of the PDF, learners measure the amount of bubbles that they make using a detergent.

In this activity, learners discover how a super-absorbing material can be used to move a straw.

In this electrochemistry activity, young learners and adult helpers create a battery from a potato to run a clock.