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Science Snacks

What is a Science Snack?

Science Snacks are hands-on, teacher-tested activities that bring explorations of natural phenomena into the classroom and home. Each activity uses inexpensive, easily-available materials, offers detailed instructions and images, provides a clear explanation of what's going on, and is adaptable to a wide range of curricula, content areas, grade levels, and settings.

And don't miss our Special Collections.

Condiment Diver

Above: Condiment Diver Science Snack

Snacks by Subject
Science Snacks by Subject

Search for Snacks based on subject or content area.

Family Friendly Snacks
Family-Friendly Snacks

Easy Snacks to do with things you have at home.

Science Snacks with Videos
Science Snacks with Videos

Feast your eyes on tasty video demonstrations of these Snacks.

Bocadillos científicos

Los Bocadillos son experimentos científicos interactivos en español que utilizan materiales comunes.

Try these Science Snacks

Person with shadow.
Outdoor Shadows

Trace your shadow, then make it change.

Science activity to explore a developing plant embryo
See Inside a Seed

Examine the baby plants inside the seeds we eat.

Science activity that produces musical sounds only you can hear
Secret Bells

Create a sound system for music only you can hear.

Science activity that demonstrates perception of camouflage and movement
Disappearing Act

If you want to stay hidden, you'd better stay still.

Science activity to make an instrument that creates the sound of rain falling
Make Your Own Rainstick

Listen to the sound of rain falling—anytime, anywhere.

Science activity that demonstrates an ambiguous figure optical illusion
Far-Out Corners

Your experience of the world influences what you see.

Science activity to build a wind turbine.
Wind Turbine Power Lifter

Build a wind turbine.

Science activity that examines fluid pressure, force, mechanical work, and biomechanics
Hydraulic Arm

You’ll feel the pressure to do some heavy lifting.

Science activity that models ocean acidification
Ocean Acidification in a Cup

A carbon dioxide–rich atmosphere changes the water beneath it.

Science activity demonstrating angular momentum
Bicycle Wheel Gyro

A bicycle wheel acts like a giant gyroscope.

Science activity that demonstrates angular momentum
Momentum Machine

Speed up your spin.

Science activity that demonstrates an image formed by a lens
Giant Lens

A lens creates an image that hangs in midair.

See all Science Snacks

 


 

The Exploratorium, established in 1969, is an internationally renowned museum of art, science, and human perception located in San Francisco, California. Its hundreds of hands-on exhibits are designed to promote science discovery.

The Exploratorium Teacher Institute has supported middle and high school math and science teachers to incorporate hands-on, inquiry-rich experiences into their classrooms since 1984.

Science SnackbookCook up over 100 hands-on science exhibits from everyday materials!
Buy the Exploratorium Science Snackbook.


Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Attribution: Exploratorium Teacher Institute

 

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