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In this activity about computer programming, learners follow instructions in a variety of ways in order to successfully draw figures.

In this tabletop board game, players will represent a team of scientists and engineers sending a spacecraft on a mission to space.

In "Exploring the Solar System: Stomp Rockets," participants learn about how some rockets carry science tools—not scientists—into space, and how a special kind of rocket called "sounding rockets" can

In this hands-on activity, learners use heat to shrink samples of polystyrene plastic (#6 recycle code). Learners compare the size and shape of the plastic pieces before and after shrinking.

See what force a magnet has on a wire that has current running through it: will it push it, pull it, or will nothing happen? This is the foundation of a simple electric motor.

This activity shows learners how computers use numbers to represent pictures. A grid is used to represent the pixels (short for picture elements) of a computer screen.

Create airplanes from straws and geometric shapes. Test them out to see how far they can fly, or how accurately they can be aimed.

What's a more compelling problem to solve than being stranded on a deserted island?

Design a vessel that tests the limits of wind power given a set of off the shelf and recycled materials.

Coins are everyday objects which tell a lot about the people who use them.

A design challenge that takes paper airplanes into an entirely different direction: a magnus glider uses cups and and rubber bands to create a glider that uses the same forces that a curveball (from b

This is a great activity for investigating the basics of lift and drag as they pertain to flight. Learners will discover how to avoid "taking a nosedive" by building their own paper airplane.

In this activity, learners use recycled materials to build a bridge that holds as many potatoes as possible. They investigate weight, height, strength, and measurement as they seek design solutions.

Make a cuíca (“kwee-ka”), a traditional Brazilian musical instrument that originated in Africa. Played primarily in Brazil, now you can play it at home, too, with this Exploratorium produced activity.

In this activity, learners will build thier own balance scale. Learners will explore weight and comparison through this activity.

Learners place water and part of an antacid tablet in a film canister. The reaction creates a gas reaction that launches the film canister like a rocket.

Learners follow the template to build and fly a paper helicopter.

In this activity (on page 2), one person "programs" the other like a robot to move through a space, trying to get them to avoid obstacles and reach a goal.

In this activity, learners will use static elecricity to bend a stream of water without touching it. Learners will explore physics and cause and effect through this activity.

In this activity, learners discover that some plastics will shrink when you get them hot. Learners bake polystyrene in a regular oven and discover what happens.