A discussion of how to make a refraction exhibit using a Fresnel lens. Consists of assembly instructions and a "To do and notice" section.
Exploratorium Science Snacks are miniature science exhibits and experiments that can be made with common, inexpensive, easily available materials. These electricity snacks represent a set of devices that you can build and experiment with charges, electromagnets, electric currents, and more.
Here is a large collection of simple science class activities for understanding the physics of light.
A collection of mechanics activities. Many pertain to Newton's laws of motion. Step-by-step directions provided with illustrations. Great for teacher demos or student projects.
Exceptionally well-designed site from Exploratorium, the museum of science, art, and human perception. Analyzes the physics of cycling associated with the use of gears, human-powered motion, braking and steering, and drafting.
Explore this site to get the "dirt" on dirt. Explore a savage garden or choose from the various aspects of gardening: feed, control or bloom.
Learning about the science of music is what this site is all about. With clever activities that lead to writing, mixing, and experimenting with music; with videos that explain tuning, stepping (or rhythmic movement), instrument building, and the changes music makes when played in different kinds of spaces; and with entertaining questions and answers that keep things light.
This site is on the science and art of skateboard design, including equipment, tricks, glossary of terms, and a live webcast of a skateboard performance.
In this colorful and interactive resource, students can learn about the science behind baseball, hockey, cycling, skateboarding, and surfing.
How does that bridge stay up? What are the forces acting on that column? This site helps students understand how structures can be built by having them build their own. Also provides images of real structures for kids to compare with their own.
This is an activity using common household materials that will demonstrate a static electricity discharge.
This site explains the factors that determine whether and how much a ball bounces and includes activities to test "bounciness" for yourself!
Journey back over a million years ago and see how the common frog has adapted and changed.
This simple activity helps students understand the role of vibration in producing sound.
If you love hockey - or are just curious about hockey - you will really like this site. There is a lot of information about the components of hockey. You can learn what equipment is necessary, how slapshots are made, and how to skate like a hockey player.
This resource analyzes the science of hockey from a variety of angles. Explains why ice is slippery, what affects the reaction times of goalies and more. Requires RealPlayer.
This site provides detailed information about solar eclipses, including what to watch for and how to view an eclipse, why an eclipse occurs, and various feature stories.
A most interesting site! Explore why the French speak French in France and the English speak English in England and lots of other information on the history of words and languages.
From the Exploratorium Museum. Includes an interactive feature in which a visitor enters their weight on earth and has their weight on other planets computed and displayed. Discusses the distinction between mass and weight and describes the relationship between weight, distance and mass. Focus is on Newton's universal law of gravitation.