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In this fun and simple hands-on astronomy activity, learners construct a model of our place in the Milky Way Galaxy and the distribution of stars, with a quarter and some birdseed.

In this activity, learners explore conservation of energy by experimenting with a solar cell light device.

This is a classic exercise for visualizing the scale of the Solar System.

In this activity, learners light an LED with five cents. Learners use two different metals and some sour, salty water to create a cheap battery.

In this activity on page 13 of the PDF, use a special plastic card that has been painted with a chemical that changes color when it is in UV light.

In this quick activity, learners observe how the added sugar in a can of soda affects its density and thus, its ability to float in water.

Learners are challenged to discover the relative densities of colored liquids to create a rainbow pattern in a test tube.

“Exploring Earth: Investigating Clouds” is a hands-on activity in which visitors create a cloud in a bottle and explore it with laser light.

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.

Learners investigate one factor affecting reaction rates: temperature. In a darkened room, two identical lightsticks are placed in water -- one in hot water and one in cold water.

This activity requires a Pico Cricket (tiny computer). Learners work on designing and building a sound sensor out of household materials, like plastic wrap and cardboard.

In this activity, learners carry out a scientific investigation of dust in their classroom. Learners produce an analysis on graph paper of the dust they collect over the course of a few days.

Learners experiment with water gel crystals, or sodium polyacrylate crystals, which absorb hundreds of times their weight in water. When in pure water, the water gel crystals cannot be seen.

Learners shine the light of a laser pointer through sheets of fabric that all have a different number of threads per inch.

In this activity related to microbes, learners use water drops and hand lenses to begin the exploration of magnification. This activity also introduces learners to the microscope.

Use this hands-on activity to demonstrate infrared and thermal radiation.

In this activity, learners explore how infrared technology is used by engineers to create equipment and systems for a variety of industries.

Learners observe two joined glass tubes containing a conductive salt solution. Electrodes are passing an electric current through the water.

In this sunny day experiment, learners measure and compare how quickly light and dark colored materials absorb heat.

In this demonstration/experiment, learners discover that different colors and materials (metals, fabrics, paints) radiate different amounts of energy and therefore, cool at different rates.