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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.

Smelly Balloons
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In this activity, learners sniff out scents hidden in balloons! After investigating, learners discover we sometimes can use another sense (smell) to detect things too small to see.

Setting the Scene
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In this activity (on page 2), pairs of learners create an imaginary crime scene. One person leaves the room while the other person moves a few things around.

Gravity Fail
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In this activity, learners try pouring water out of a regular cup and a miniature cup. It’s harder than it sounds! Learners discover that different forces dominate at different size scales.

Erupting Fizz
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This is a highly visual demonstration that illustrates both the effects of density and chemical reactions.

Ready, Set, Fizz!
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In this activity, learners explore the chemical reaction between water and effervescent antacid tablets. This hands-on activity models how a material can act differently when it's nanometer-sized.

Rainbow Film
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In this activity, learners use clear nail polish to create a beautiful iridescent pattern on black paper. Learners discover that a thin film creates iridescent, rainbow colors.

Exploring Size: Tiny Ruler
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In this activity, learners investigate just how small a billionth of a meter is by attempting to cut a paper ruler down to a nanometer-sized sliver.

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

Invisible Sunblock
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In this activity, learners find out why some mineral sunblock rubs in clear. Learners compare nano and non-nano sunblocks and discover how particle size affects visibility.

Supernovae in the Lives of Stars
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Many people think the different stages in the life of a star are actually different types of stars, rather than just stages in the life of a single star.

Solar Convection
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In this activity, learners add food coloring to hot and cold water in order to see how fluids at different temperatures move around in convection currents.

Water Drop Races
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In this activity, learners will explore the physics of liquids and gas by playing with both! Learners of any age use their own breath to move drops of water across a smooth wax paper surface.

Chemistry is Colorful
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In this activity, learners explore materials through paper chromatography.

Potato Straw
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In this physics demonstration, learners are challenged to insert a straw the furthest into a potato.

Zoom-A-Rang
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In this activity, learners design and build a Zoom-a-rang using everyday materials. Experiment with different materials and Zoom-a-rang designs to see how they fly.

Exploring Size: Measure Yourself
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In this activity, learners mark their height on a height chart and discover how tall they are in nanometers.

Cutting Pi
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In this activity, learners use a string and pair of scissors to find pi in the world all around them. Take the circumference of a round object with string and cut the string to that length.

Color Vision
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In this online activity, learners make a whole rainbow by mixing red, green, and blue light. They can change the wavelength of a monochromatic beam or they can filter white light.

Mitten Challenge
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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.