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Linkages
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This design challenge is an open-ended exploration of linkages, a group of parts connected by hinges, and the types of motion they can create.
Exploring Materials: Nano Gold
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In this activity, learners discover that nanoparticles of gold can appear red, orange or even blue. They learn that a material can act differently when it’s nanometer-sized.
Cupcake Delivery
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In this design challenge, learners will create wind-powered contraptions to transport a load, such as a cupcake or another small object, and test to see if they work.
Kinetic Sculpture: Program the Pico Cricket to Make Your Art Light Up or Spin
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Use a Pico Cricket (micro-controller) to animate your art! You can program a Pico Cricket to make your art spin, light up, or make music.
Exploring Materials: Thin Films
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In this activity, learners create a colorful bookmark using a super thin layer of nail polish on water. Learners discover that a thin film creates iridescent, rainbow colors.
Sound Dampeners
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In this activity, learners will experiment with water- and air-filled balloons as a way of dampening sound before it reaches their ears.
Smart Domino Tricks
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In this activity, you take regular dominoes, and turn them into conductive switches that can turn on a LEGO RCX block or Pico Cricket (micro controller). LEGO RCX block or Pico Cricket is required.
Shaving Cream Marbling
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In this activity, learners will create beautiful greeting cards by marbling with shaving cream and food dye. They will explore the chemistry behind the art of marbling.
Interactive Pencil Drawings: Drawings That Tell a Story!
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Margaret Pezalla-Granlund, a Minnesota artist, came up with this really fun and surprising activity using graphite from a pencil, connected with a Pico Cricket to tell a story: "The first time I saw s
Pico Cricket Compass
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Learners can program a compass to draw a circle by itself using a Pico Cricket, some Legos, and lots of tape! Pico Cricket is required.
Marshmallow Catapult
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In this activity, learners explore physics by building a catapult that launches marshmallows with household objects.
Shadow Puppets
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In this activity, learners will create their own simple shadow puppets, and experiment with light and shadow while playing with them.
DIY Sunprints
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In this activity, learners will see how UV light affects colors over time by making their own sunprint on construction paper.
Social Fireflies: Pico "Firefly" Communication
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Make two firefly lanterns, then program them to blink to one another and change colors.
Gumdrop Chains and Shrinky Necklaces
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In this activity, learners thread gumdrops together to make a model of a polymer.
Chemistry Is Colorful
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In "Chemistry is Colorful" learners explore different materials through paper chromatography.
Nanoparticle Stained Glass
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In this activity/demo, learners are introduced to the connection between medieval stained glass artisans and nanotechnology.
Cactus Needle Phonograph
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Build a phonograph record player using a cactus needle, a record, LEGOs gear box, and a piece of paper! This activity uses a Pico Cricket to turn the motor.
Nature of Dye
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"Nature of Dye" allows participants to create their own dyes and art while exploring how chemicals interact and how these interactions can have real-world applications.
Tie Dye Secret Messages
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In this activity, learners will write a secret message that only their friends will be able to read.