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Exploring Tools: Special Microscopes
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In this activity, learners use a flexible magnet as a model for a scanning probe microscope (SPM). They learn that SPMs are an example of a special tool that scientists use to work on the nanoscale.
Glue Stick Sunset
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In this activity, learners explore why the sky is blue. Learners model the scattering of light by the atmosphere, which creates the blue sky and red sunset, using a flashlight and clear glue sticks.
Introduction to the New Chain Gang
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In this activity, learners use pop-beads to understand the characteristics and properties of polymer chains.
Exploring the Nanoworld with LEGO Bricks: Probing the Structure of Materials at the Nanoscale
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In this activity (pages 17-31), learners are introduced to techniques that are used to determine the structures of solid materials.
Eye Spy
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This fun activity uses simple materials such as milk cartons and mirrors to introduce the ideas of optics and visual perception.
Understanding Albedo
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In this activity related to climate change, learners examine albedo and the ice albedo feedback effect as it relates to snow, ice, and the likely results of reduced snow and ice cover on global temper
Glass and Mirrors: An Inside Look at Telescopes
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This hands-on astronomy activity allows you to create a “cutaway” telescope to clearly show how reflector and refractor telescopes work.
Column Chromatography
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In this activity, learners separate the components of Gatorade using a home-made affinity column.
Leaves: Designing Leaf Arrangements on a Branch
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In this hands-on activity, learners investigate the functional design of leaves on a tree.
Wonderful Weather
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In this activity, learners conduct three experiments to examine temperature, the different stages of the water cycle, and how convection creates wind.
Colors of Stars
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In this activity, learners observe colors in the flame of a burning candle to explore connections between matter, light, color and temperature -- basic concepts of matter and energy.
It's all Done with Mirrors
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This fun and simple hands-on astronomy activity illustrates the path of light as it reflects off of mirrors and how this is used in telescopes.
Bending Light
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In this optics activity, learners make a lens and explore how the eye manipulates the light that enters it.
Bring it into Focus
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In this activity (page 2 of PDF), learners play with a lens and a piece of paper to focus an image on the paper. Learners look at different things, and see how the lenses affect the image.
Moonlight Serenade
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In this activity, learners act as the Earth and observe how different angles between the Sun, Earth, and Moon affect the phases of the moon we see each month.
Exploring the Nanoworld with LEGO Bricks: Structures and Their Construction at the Nanoscale
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In this activity (pages 42-49), learners discover the methods and challenges of building nanoscale structures with macroscale equipment.
Saguaro Nest Cavities
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This activity (on page 3 of the PDF under GPS: Cactus Activity) is a full inquiry investigation into how some desert birds keep their cool.
Seasons and Shadows: Investigate How Shadows Shift Throughout the Year
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In this activity you'll see how the sun's tilt on its axis changes the length of shadows. For example, why is your shadow longer in winter than in summer?
Exploring Earth: Temperature Mapping
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This activity models the way Landsat satellites use a thermal infrared sensor to measure land surface temperatures.
Crazy Camouflage
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In this activity about camouflage, learners create a model that shows how a flounder is able to blend into a variety of environments.