Elementary (ages 5-10)

Variable Index of Refraction

A sugar-water solution is used to create a liquid with a variable index of refraction. Participants learn about solutions, gradients, and refraction.

Borate Glass

Students learn about glass, how glass is formed, and under what conditions that can occur.

Straw Oboe

By constructing a simple straw “oboe,” participants learn about sound waves and closed pipe resonance. 

Marshmallows & the Speed of Light

This workshop uses marshmallows to teach participants about waves and to calculate the speed of light. 

Ferrofluids

This demonstration provides a three-dimensional visualization of magnetic field lines using ferrofluid.

Reflection & Refraction

This demonstration presents viewers with an example of reflection and refraction and describes difference between the two.

Density Column

This surprising demonstration illustrates the relationship between densities and buoyant forces.

This demonstration provides a visual for how the diversity of matter affects interactions between different materials. The participants will be able to view a visually striking, easy-to-assemble display of various solids and liquids that tend to separate from one another due to their densities. The demonstration goes on to explain how this relates to the different states of matter, and makes a mention of the buoyant forces responsible for making objects float.

Light Fountain

This demonstration shows how light changes paths when travelling through different materials. Snell’s Law and the critical angle are explored using lasers and water. 

Eclipses: Earth-Moon-Sun Model

This demonstration uses a model of the earth-moon-sun system to explain why eclipses occur. This demo is useful for illustrating why total solar eclipses are rare. 

Composition of the Universe

This demonstration briefly explains the history of the universe using jars and colored beads. The jars represent matter/objects and the beads represent the composition of those objects.

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