Ear Guitar - Jun 1, 2012

Build an ear guitar (otherwise known as a string telephone) with the directions at Ear Guitar. Have an adult work with you.

Balancing Act - May 1, 2012

Security note:
Once you have clicked on the "simulation" link below, be sure to read the Java Security Advisory before running the simulation: To do that, click the "Read now" button on the yellow band near the top of the PhET page.

Go to Balancing Act (and click "Run now!") for a simulation that lets you move objects of different mass different positions on a teeter totter to make it balance.

To learn more, visit this Hyperphysics page.

(This feature was updated on May 6, 2013.)

PhET Simulation: Radio Waves & Electromagnetic Fields - Apr 1, 2012

Security note:
Once you have clicked on the "simulation" link below, be sure to read the Java Security Advisory before running the simulation: To do that, click the "Read now" button on the yellow band near the top of the PhET page.

Shake a charged particle, and it radiates electromagnetic waves. You can try this out with the PhET Simulation: Radio Waves & Electromagnetic Fields. Compare with Physics in Your World above.

To learn more, check out these Physics 2000
webpages.

(This feature was updated on May 5, 2013.)

Rotating Light - Mar 1, 2012

Right-and left-handed molecules were discovered because their solutions have the opposite effect on polarized light. For a related effect, try the famous Karo® syrup demonstration, as described in this Exploratorium activity. To see the demo, check out this YouTube video.

Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project: Extrasolar Planets Lab - Feb 1, 2012

Visit Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project: Extrasolar Planets Lab to try to simulations of how extrasolar planets are detected indirectly--that is, without making an image of the planet.

Also, check out Planet Quest Interactives, and click on one of the simulations. You can choose from Extreme Planet Makeover, Planet Quest Timeline, and Alien Safari.

Bottled tornado - Jan 1, 2012

Make your own vortex at home--see Bottled tornado for how to do it. And be sure you have an adult with you.

Alternately, you can purchase a connector for the two bottles, with a hole in the middle--just google "vortex bottle" to find a vendor.

A Magnet That Drips: Making Ferrofluids - Dec 1, 2011

Ferrofluids like the ones pictured above are not difficult to make--you can prepare your own by following the instructions at A Magnet That Drips: Making Ferrofluids. Since the ferrofluid will be messy, make sure your work area is easy to clean. Also, be sure you have an adult working with you.

Time Traveler - Nov 1, 2011

Try these two activities showing how special relativity affects time during space travel:
-- NOVA's Time Traveler, in which the traveling twin ages less than the state-at-home twin
-- the Exploratorium's Voyage to Epsilon Eridani 3 on how the time of a journey is measured differently by the traveler than by someone who stays at home.

S'Cool: Observing Contrails - Oct 1, 2011

Visit NASA's S'Cool: Observing Contrails for images of various cloud types, related information, and cloud observing tips.

Geocaching - Sep 1, 2011

Do you have a GPS at home? Try taking it outside and exploring your area with Geocaching. It's a modern-day treasure hunting game, using your GPS to find packages left by fellow "Geocachers." All you have to do is sign up on the website, search for geocaches near you, put in the coordinates, and go! Be sure to have an adult with you.