Super Gelatin
Students measure the angles of refraction of laser light traveling through gelatin, then plot their data to calculate the gelatin’s […]
Telescope Allocation Committee
This activity acquaints the students with the telescopes and instruments available at an astronomical observatory: McDonald Observatory.Astronomers apply for observing
Astro-Madness
In this activity, students learn about the different telescopes and instruments that are available at McDonald Observatory using the “What
Delta, Delta, Delta
In this experiment, students construct an equilateral triangle using graph paper, pencil, protractor and a ruler. They also make a
Hot Air
Students witness light refracting through air everyday.On hot days, “ripples” rise from the ground or roadways. Stars twinkle in the
Spectroscope
This lesson guides students to build a spectroscope, use it as tool, and interpret their observations by applying concepts of
Mirror, Mirror
In this activity, students test the Law of Reflection based on experimental evidence.However, the back-silvered glass mirrors present a twist.
Planet Tours
Planning to take a vacation soon? Visit Phobos! Small and cozy, Phobos orbits the fourth planet from the Sun in
Ongoing Explorations
January 12 NASA’s New Horizons mission is scheduled to begin scanning Pluto and its entourage of moons. It will fly
Do all planets orbit the Sun in the same direction?
While not all of the planets rotate on their individual axes in the same direction — Uranus and Venus both
Do all planets orbit the Sun in the same direction? Read More »