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Extract your DNA from your very own cells! First, learners swish salt water in their mouth to collect cheek cells and spit the water into a glass.

In this activity (Page 22 of PDF), learners investigate the evolution of wheat by washing different types of dough with water and comparing the results.

In this activity, learners build a simple mechanism that regulates the "escape" of energy released by a falling weight by portioning it into discrete amounts.

In this activity (Page 25 of PDF), learners investigate the evolution of wheat by creating dough from different flours, observing the samples of dough as they rise, and then baking the dough.

In this activity, learners are introduced to challenges of maintaining temperatures while living in space.

In this activity, learners work together to interpret an "alien message." The group pretends that this is the only message from an imaginary civilization, so there is no "key" and thus no "correct" wa

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

In this activity about human interface design issues, learners help the Oompa-Loompas of a great chocolate factory solve different problems.

In this environmental science lesson, learners will examine hazardous chemicals and their effects on human health and the environment.

Learners build structures from spaghetti and marshmallows to determine which structures are able to handle the greatest load.

In this activity, learners try to put together toy bricks—wearing oven mitts on their hands! This activity shows learners how difficult it is to build small things when your tools are too big.

Learners work in teams to design and build solar water heating devices that mimic those used in residences to capture energy in the form of solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy.

In this activity, learners will be introduced to biomass gasification and will generate their own biomass gases.

This simulation of laparoscopic surgery enables learners to practice and to learn this modern surgical technique.

In this small-group activity, learners assume the roles of pilots, air traffic controllers, and NASA scientists to solve five Air Traffic Control (ATC) problems.

Electrolysis is the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen. This Exploratorium activity allows learners to visualize the process with an acid-based indicator.

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.

In this three-part activity, learners use paper to explore Bernoulli's Principle — fast-moving air has lower pressure than non-moving air.

In this activity, learners explore electronics and motion by making a Scribbling Machine, a motorized contraption that moves in unusual ways and leaves a mark to trace its path.

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