Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

Learners mix vinegar and baking soda together in a bottle to create a chemical reaction. The reaction produces a gas, carbon dioxide, which inflates a balloon attached to the mouth of the bottle.

Learners build a can that automatically returns after being rolled away. The can has a rubber band inside that stores energy as the can rolls one direction.

Learners make a circuit board that has questions and answers. When the correct answer is chosen for a question, a circuit is completed and a light illuminates.

Perform this classic inertia demonstration to illustrate the transfer of potential energy to kinetic energy.

Learners set up three different bowls, each with a different mass of oatmeal. Learners monitor the temperature of the oatmeal and find that larger masses take longer to cool.

Learners write a message in Braille using beans to form the patterns of dots. Learners glue beans in place, and then challenge another learner to read the message.

Learners assemble a hot-air balloon from tissue paper. The heated air (from a heat gun) inside the balloon is less dense than the surrounding air and causes the balloon to float.

Learners analyze candy-coated sweets using chromatography. Learners use this method to separate the various dyes used to make colored candy.

Learners build a lever and use it to lift a load. With the load on one end of the ruler, learners add coins to the effort cup at the other end until the load is lifted.

Learners build a solar oven from a cardboard pizza box, aluminum foil and plastic. Learners can use their oven to cook S'mores or other food in the sun.