Learn with us online while the Exploratorium is temporarily closed. You can help us reopen—donate today.

Science Activities

Hungry for fresh, exciting science activities based in amazing phenomena? Science Snacks are hands-on, teacher-tested, and use cheap, available materials.

Science activity that models light wave interference
Soap Film Interference Model

Model the behavior of light reflecting off soap film surfaces.

Science activity that demonstrates energy transformations
Over the Hill

Explore energy transformations by rolling a marble on a track.

Science activity that demonstrates photosynthesis
Photosynthetic Floatation

Show that gas is produced during photosynthesis.

Science activity that demonstrates fluid pressure and buoyancy
Condiment Diver

As René Descartes (almost) said, "I sink, therefore I am."

Science activity that demonstrates a creative exploration of light through a pinhole viewer
Poking Fun at Art

Explore light and color from a hole new angle.

Science activity that demonstrates an image produced by a parabolic mirror
Parabolas

It’s all done with mirrors.

Science activity to explore hydraulics with a pair of dueling syringes
Hydraulic Battle

Plunge into hydraulics with a pair of dueling syringes.

Science activity that demonstrates the brightness of two light sources
Oil Spot Photometer

Compare the brightness of two light sources with an oil spot on a white card.

The Domino Effect
The Domino Effect (pdf)

Use dominoes to model a nerve cell's transmission of a signal

Space Invaders
Space Invaders

Meteor, meteorite, meteoroid – what's the difference?

Candy-o-Matic
Candy-o-Matic

Find out how different kinds of candy are made in the Candy-o-matic!

Science activity that explores heat absorption by different-colored materials
Give and Take

Dark-colored materials absorb and emit energy more readily than light-colored materials.

Pages