Short Activities

Short activities are brief hands-on experiences lasting less than 15 minutes for small groups of people. They are often presented at a table, cart, or demonstration space in a variety of settings such as a museum exhibit gallery, classroom, or other public or group setting. Multiple short activities can be combined to form a longer activity.

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A facilitator holds a bottle while a learner wafts a scent to her nose

Exploring Size - Scented Solutions

In this activity, learners sniff a series of diluted scent solutions to discover they can smell nano-sized particles they can't see.

Learners cut strips of paper in half

Cutting It Down to Nano

In this activity, learners cut a small strip of paper in half as many times as they can to explore scale.

Paper Buckyball structure being folded into shape

Exploring Structures - Buckyballs

In this activity, learners fold up a precut shape to make a model of a buckyball.

An overhead shot of a learner holding and comparing different theoretical technologies summarized on sheets of paper

Exploring Nano & Society - You Decide!

In this activity, learners sort and prioritize cards with new nanotechnologies according to their own values and the values of others.

a group of four learners listen to a facilitator as they explain the activity

DNA Nanotechnology

In this activity, learners extract a sample of DNA from split peas and put it in an Eppendorf tube to take home.

Family engaging with sand, plants, and pants

Sand, Plants and Pants

In this activity, learners explore how the application of nano-sized particles or substances can change a bigger material’s properties.

Building with Biology Kit of Parts activity components

Building with Biology: Kit of Parts

In this activity, learners explore the engineering aspect of synthetic biology by solving challenges through building a model cell.

Facilitator standing in the middle of a room while learners are spaced out at different lengths

Exploring the Solar System: Big Sun, Small Moon

In this activity, learners explore the concept of the apparent size by looking at models of celestial bodies at different distances.

Facilitator demonstrates a magnetic field with a small model of Earth

Exploring the Solar System: Magnetic Fields

In this activity, learners use magnets and metal items to learn about magnetic fields of the Earth, the Sun, and other objects in the universe.

A facilitator demonstrates how to mix and chew gum with a piece of chocolate

Gum and Chocolate

In this activity, learners practice observation and prediction skills as they experience an interesting chemical reaction in their mouths by chewing chocolate and gum at the same time.