The Exploratorium
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Bacteriopolis
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In this long-term activity, learners make a home for a colorful community of microorganisms.
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To Topo Two
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In this activity, two groups of learners create two separate landform models out of clay (mountains and valleys).
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Klutz-Proof Density Column
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Making liquids of different densities to perfectly lay on top of each other can be a frustrating exercise. The Exploratorium created this activity as a fool proof way of making a density column.
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Bone Stress
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In this optics activity, learners examine how polarized light can reveal stress patterns in clear plastic.
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CD Air Puck
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In this activity, learners will use a compact disc to build an air puck that can glide across a smooth tabletop. The puck glides with almost no friction on a cushion of air escaping from a balloon.
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Outrageous Ooze: Is It a Liquid or a Solid?
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This activity provides instructions for using cornstarch and water to make an ooze which has the properties of both a solid and liquid.
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Column Chromatography
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In this activity, learners separate the components of Gatorade using a home-made affinity column.
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Squirming Palm
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Known as the waterfall effect, this activity demonstrates adaptation in our visual system.
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Cut-Fold-Staple
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In this activity, learners discover how to rotate a flat shape into the third dimension. Learners draw and cut out a shape that has at least one straight edge on an index card.
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Afterimage
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In this activity about light and perception, learners discover how a flash of light can create a lingering image called an "afterimage" on the retina of the eye.