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Featured
Toddlers (1-4 years)
'Squidy' the Diver :
Explore how air can be 'squashed' with this fun project.
Go!
Kids (5-11 years)
Can words be shaped? :
Check out how the ‘sound’ of a word can influence your perception of shape.
Go!
Corrugated paper :
Triangles are strong shapes, so structures that use these shapes are very stable.
Go!
Nature's Balance :
Can you add up the animals to balance the massive monkey?
Go!
Wine Casks, Eskys and Lamingtons :
We've always been innovative when it comes to transporting a packed lunch.
Go!
Tweens and Teens (12+ years)
Can words be shaped? :
Check out how the ‘sound’ of a word can influence your perception of shape.
Go!
Forces & Light
Toddlers (1-4 years)
Cornflour Slime :
With cornflour and water you can make slime!
Go!
Mirror Fun :
With two mirrors, you can make lots of silly faces.
Go!
Shadow Puppets :
Make shadow puppets with your hands, cardboard cut outs, toys and other objects.
Go!
Window Colours :
Place coloured cellophane on a window and experiment with mixing colours.
Go!
Ball Run :
Turn your fridge door into a giant ball track.
Go!
Coat-Hanger Scales :
Hang various things on coat-hangers to experiment with balance.
Go!
Spinning Things :
Explore items around the home that turn or spin.
Go!
Air Play :
Empty sauce bottles are great for making puffs of air!
Go!
Static Balloons :
Blow up a balloon and rub it on your hair to explore static electricity.
Go!
Wobbly Balloon or Ball :
Create a funny, wobbly ball.
Go!
Box Guitar :
Check out the sound that different rubber bands make when stretched around a lunch box.
Go!
Maraca Shakers :
Make shakers with uncooked rice or beans and practise some rhythms.
Go!
Mini Drums :
Stretch a balloon to make a drum and take turns tapping out a rhythm.
Go!
Mooing Bucket :
The larger an object (of similar material and shape) the louder the sound.
Go!
Sound Quiz :
Can your child guess what sound you are making when they cover their ears?
Go!
Bottles in the Bath :
Use bottles of various size and see which ones are easier or harder to sink.
Go!
The Plug :
Take the plug out of the bath and watch how the water moves as it goes down the plughole.
Go!
Making Big Soap Bubbles :
Make bubbles using your hands or objects you have found.
Go!
Sound Under Water :
Put one ear under water and listen when you tap the side of the bath.
Go!
'Squidy' the Diver :
Explore how air can be 'squashed' with this fun project.
Go!
Kids (5-11 years)
Make your own antibubbles :
You’ve probably made regular bubbles before, but have you ever made antibubbles?
Go!
Balloon kebab :
Proof that you can skewer a balloon without popping it.
Go!
Balloon-powered car :
Who needs horsepower? Here's a car driven by balloon power!
Go!
Balloons in bottles :
Race a friend to blow up balloons in a bottle and you are guaranteed to win!
Go!
Model of a lung :
Explore how your body uses air pressure to inflate and deflate your lungs.
Go!
Stop the pop :
A battle arises between an air-filled balloon and a flame!
Go!
Pop-top fountain :
Create an explosive fountain of foam and gas!
Go!
Soap boat :
Sail the soapy seas with this activity full of high and low surface tension.
Go!
Solar-powered oven :
Create a solar-powered oven that uses light from the sun to warm food.
Go!
Convection Currents :
Did you watch Finding Nemo and consider trying to catch a ride on the East Australian Current?
Go!
Squidy - The Cartesian Diver :
Squidy is a good role model. Sometimes he's up and sometimes he's down, but he always has a smile on his face.
Go!
Aluminium can static roll :
Learn how you can create static electricity.
Go!
Balloon compass :
Pack a balloon, a magnet and a bucket of water, and you'll never get lost!
Go!
Floating octopus :
Watch as negative charges repel to suspend an octopus in mid–air!
Go!
Pop fuse :
How long will the balloon fuse last?
Go!
Solenoid chute :
Experiment with wire and a battery to create a magnetic field.
Go!
Wired for sound :
Build a small circuit to experiment with electric current.
Go!
Cornflour slime :
Explore how cornflour becomes thicker when pressure is applied.
Go!
Falling marbles :
Different fluids flow at different rates.
Go!
Bottle accelerometer :
Create a gadget that indicates the direction of acceleration.
Go!
Bouncing with energy :
How high will the smaller of two balls bounce?
Go!
CD balloon hovercraft :
A flying gliding hover craft – your very own compact mode of transportation!
Go!
Corrugated paper :
Triangles are strong shapes, so structures that use these shapes are very stable.
Go!
Count the drops :
Drip, drip, drip. How many drops can you place on a 20 cent coin?
Go!
Knock down clown :
Make a toy that refuses to be pushed around and always comes back for more.
Go!
Pop rocket :
Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda produces enough gas to power this small rocket!
Go!
Ruler break :
See the amazing hands of fury break a ruler!
Go!
Steam powered can :
With the steam from boiling water you can make a can spin around.
Go!
Suspended egg :
See how layers of salt water and fresh water can keep an egg suspended in a glass.
Go!
Thirsty Candle :
Flat out like a lizard drinking! Watch as a candle appears to suck water into a glass!
Go!
Glass bottle orchestra :
They sound pretty too! What songs can you play?
Go!
Handmade honker :
Here's a way to make some good vibrations - and produce sound!
Go!
Humming hangers :
Explore how sound is made and how it travels.
Go!
Orbiting money :
Why sing for your money when you can make your money sing for you?
Go!
Weird whirring widget :
Feel some good vibrations and become a noisy nuisance with this wacky instrument.
Go!
Cool crush :
Watch out as this plastic bottle gets crushed!
Go!
Temperature layers :
Are your feelings for science a bit hot and cold? We have the perfect activity for you!
Go!
CD spectrometer :
Can you do the splits? Well, you can now! With only a few household objects, it’s easy for you to split light.
Go!
Crystal snowflake :
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Use Epsom salt and water to grow your own “snowflake” decoration and observe how crystals form.
Go!
Mentos fountain :
Get set for a dynamite result in this experiment of heat production, change of state and pressure!
Go!
Teabag rocket :
Create a ‘rocket’ using an empty teabag and a flame.
Go!
Cams :
Cams can help make your machine follow a sequence of action.
Go!
Gears :
Gears can transfer motion energy and even magnify movement!
Go!
Levers :
Levers can be very handy if you need to open a door or swing a cricket bat.
Go!
Pistons :
Pistons are what let you stop a heavy car with just the strength of your foot.
Go!
Pulleys :
More pulleys give you more pulling power - enough to lift some incredible weights!
Go!
Wheels :
Wheels help objects move more easily by reducing friction between them and the ground.
Go!
Coconut High :
Can you figure out the right angle and power to launch the coconut into the target?
Go!
Balloon Surprise :
Can you make a balloon kebab?
Go!
Echo in my Head :
Be in your very own rubber band!
Go!
Musical Coathanger :
Turn an ordinary metal coathanger into a (very quiet) musical instrument.
Go!
Pepper Scatter :
What happens if you add some detergent to a tray of pepper?
Go!
Shadow Shapes :
Discover what shadows can tell us about light.
Go!
Sink or Swim :
Find out how fish can sink or swim by changing their buoyancy.
Go!
A Stirring Sight :
Have you ever seen a whirlpool change direction?
Go!
Up, Up and Away with Bottles :
Let's make water rockets! For science!
Go!
Make Tracks :
Make you own virtual Roller Coaster
Go!
Natural Disasters :
Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes - how does Australia fair?
Go!
Rocket Science 101 :
What is a rocket? And how do they fly so high?
Go!
The 10 Rockets of Dr Yuri :
Can you figure out which are rockets and which are projectiles?
Go!
Collisions :
What happens when two things bump into each other?
Go!
Tornadoes :
Did you know tornadoes have caused it to rain fish and frogs?
Go!
Polar Wanderers or Continental Drifting? :
Years ago, it was controversial to think that the Earth's continents constantly move!
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Tweens and Teens (12+ years)
Make your own antibubbles :
You’ve probably made regular bubbles before, but have you ever made antibubbles?
Go!
Pop-top fountain :
Create an explosive fountain of foam and gas!
Go!
Balloon compass :
Pack a balloon, a magnet and a bucket of water, and you'll never get lost!
Go!
Bouncing with energy :
How high will the smaller of two balls bounce?
Go!
Pop rocket :
Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda produces enough gas to power this small rocket!
Go!
Steam powered can :
With the steam from boiling water you can make a can spin around.
Go!
Cool crush :
Watch out as this plastic bottle gets crushed!
Go!
Mentos fountain :
Get set for a dynamite result in this experiment of heat production, change of state and pressure!
Go!
The ABCs of Lissajous Patterns :
Adjust the speed to see what patterns you can create.
Go!
Wave Addition :
Twist the knobs and see what happens what shapes result when you combine waves.
Go!
Make Tracks :
Make you own virtual Roller Coaster
Go!
Natural Disasters :
Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes - how does Australia fair?
Go!
Polar Wanderers or Continental Drifting? :
Years ago, it was controversial to think that the Earth's continents constantly move!
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Humans
Toddlers (1-4 years)
Scented Balloons :
Can you smell the difference between a rose and some mint?
Go!
Mirror Fun :
With two mirrors, you can make lots of silly faces.
Go!
Shadow Puppets :
Make shadow puppets with your hands, cardboard cut outs, toys and other objects.
Go!
Window Colours :
Place coloured cellophane on a window and experiment with mixing colours.
Go!
Measure Up :
Try measuring hands and feet and see how they compare to the rest of the family.
Go!
Mystery Box :
Can your child figure out what's in the box? No peeking!
Go!
Measuring Things :
Measure the size, weight and volume of different things, including your own body.
Go!
Sort It Out :
Challenge your child to match a range of containers with their lids.
Go!
Exploring Textures :
Babies learn through all their senses, including touch.
Go!
Kids (5-11 years)
Can you saturate your eyes? :
Can you fool your eyes into seeing opposite colours?
Go!
Do you see raised bumps or dents? :
Your brain uses the position and darkness of shadows to figure out shapes. Can you be tricked?
Go!
Does brightness change how you see speed? :
Do things appear to move faster depending on the colour of the background?
Go!
Does the red spot shrink or change colour? :
Your visual system ‘fills in’ the gaps with surrounding textures and views when the borders of an object are fuzzy.
Go!
Male or female? :
Do you see these faces as the same gender as others do?
Go!
Which face is normal? :
When a face is turned upside down, do you lose the ability to judge it?
Go!
Who said that? :
As we grow up, we meet people from lots of different backgrounds. Try matching voices to faces!
Go!
Can words be shaped? :
Check out how the ‘sound’ of a word can influence your perception of shape.
Go!
Can you make up a memory? :
Does your brain invent details that weren't there?
Go!
Can you see what I'm saying? :
What you see can influence what you hear!
Go!
Flashing envelopes :
This is an interesting effect best observed in low light (or better yet, utter darkness!)
Go!
Disgustoscope :
A normal kaleidoscope makes beautiful patterns by reflecting beads or coloured paper into symmetrical patterns. The disgustoscope’s angled walls cause the reflections to form a sphere shape.
Go!
Model of a lung :
Explore how your body uses air pressure to inflate and deflate your lungs.
Go!
A test of nerve :
Show your friends just how much nerve they have with this cool test.
Go!
Scented balloons :
Test your friends’ sense of smell with this crazy scented balloon experiment!
Go!
Shake a box :
Can you locate the wooden blocks inside a closed box?
Go!
Taste test :
Did you know your nose helps you to taste food?
Go!
Tricky pictures :
Ever wanted to lock-up your brother? Here's how you can!
Go!
Blubber hand :
Try your hand at this icy experience.
Go!
Are You Eagle-Eyed? :
Print out this test and see if you have the eyesight of an eagle.
Go!
Hoopla :
Would you rather be accurate or precise? Try this experiment and see which one you are.
Go!
Monkey See :
It's hard to pick things out in low contrast. Can you see the monkeys?
Go!
Camouflage :
Can you find the hidden shape?
Go!
Herring Illusion :
Can you see straight?
Go!
Horse's Tail Illusion :
How can the same colour look different?
Go!
Moving Lines Illusion :
Everything is shifting around!
Go!
Müller-Lyer Illusion :
How long is the line?
Go!
The Questacon Polar Challenge :
Do you have what it takes to survive at the Poles?
Go!
Poggendorff Illusion :
Can you make a straight line?
Go!
Titchener Illusion :
How large are they?
Go!
Two Grey Steps Illusion :
Grey is not always grey!
Go!
Unreal Triangles :
See the invisible.
Go!
Zollner Illusion :
See a new slant on parallel lines.
Go!
Which is which, this or that? :
Ambiguity and instability in images
Go!
Picture This :
Landscapes, background and camouflage.
Go!
Delayed Telecasts :
After-effects in colour and black and white.
Go!
Ghost Busters :
Movement, colours and shapes that aren't really there.
Go!
Mission Impossible :
Impossible figures, 3D interpretations.
Go!
The Distorted Top Ten :
Mind-tricks with shapes, colours, sizes and patterns.
Go!
Far and Away :
Depth perception and judging distance.
Go!
Atten-shun! :
Visual organisation and the role of visual attention.
Go!
Word Perfect :
Language illusions.
Go!
Taste Test :
Sensory illusions with the taste buds.
Go!
Listen Up :
Try these sound illusions!
Go!
Heavy, Man :
Power of past experience.
Go!
Echo in my Head :
Be in your very own rubber band!
Go!
Musical Coathanger :
Turn an ordinary metal coathanger into a (very quiet) musical instrument.
Go!
Questacon Cards :
Test yourself with this crazy optical illusion.
Go!
The Emu :
Do you know where to look to find the enormous emu in the night sky?
Go!
The Sun :
Aborigines in northern Australia tell the story to explain why there is night and day.
Go!
The Seven Sisters :
The stars we now call the Pleiades were once seven beautiful sisters.
Go!
Tagai :
The story of Tagai, as told by the people of the Torres Strait.
Go!
The Seasons :
The traditional story of the star Arcturus.
Go!
The Moon :
The story of how the Moon got into the sky, from Cape York.
Go!
The Morning Star :
The story of the Morning Star, as told in parts of the Northern Territory.
Go!
The Southern Cross :
Learn an Aboriginal story behind the best known of our constellations.
Go!
Innovative People :
How many Australians have won a Nobel Prize in science?
Go!
School of the Air :
We were the first to use School of the Air to educate isolated children.
Go!
Gene Shears :
An Australian technique to selectively cut out bits of unwanted or harmful DNA.
Go!
Royal Flying Doctor Service :
This wide brown land seems smaller thanks to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Go!
CSIRO :
CSIRO is the largest scientific organisation in Australia.
Go!
Human Cloning :
You might be surprised to learn that human clones already exist!
Go!
Arguments For Cloning :
Some of the benefits in carrying out cloning research.
Go!
Arguments Against Cloning :
The cloning debate attracts quite passionate objections.
Go!
Piecing Together the Puzzle of DNA :
Three men were awarded the Nobel Prize, but what about the woman who worked with them?
Go!
Einstein: The Man of the Century :
Did you know Einstein was expelled from school at the age of 15?
Go!
Einstein's Scientific Achievements :
Trying to understand the laws of the Universe, here's some of what Einstein discovered.
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Burarra Gathering :
Take a virtual trip to northern Australia to learn about the Burarra way of life.
Go!
Tweens and Teens (12+ years)
Can you saturate your eyes? :
Can you fool your eyes into seeing opposite colours?
Go!
Do you see raised bumps or dents? :
Your brain uses the position and darkness of shadows to figure out shapes. Can you be tricked?
Go!
Does brightness change how you see speed? :
Do things appear to move faster depending on the colour of the background?
Go!
Does the red spot shrink or change colour? :
Your visual system ‘fills in’ the gaps with surrounding textures and views when the borders of an object are fuzzy.
Go!
Male or female? :
Do you see these faces as the same gender as others do?
Go!
Which face is normal? :
When a face is turned upside down, do you lose the ability to judge it?
Go!
Who said that? :
As we grow up, we meet people from lots of different backgrounds. Try matching voices to faces!
Go!
Can words be shaped? :
Check out how the ‘sound’ of a word can influence your perception of shape.
Go!
Can you make up a memory? :
Does your brain invent details that weren't there?
Go!
Can you see what I'm saying? :
What you see can influence what you hear!
Go!
Flashing envelopes :
This is an interesting effect best observed in low light (or better yet, utter darkness!)
Go!
Camouflage :
Can you find the hidden shape?
Go!
Herring Illusion :
Can you see straight?
Go!
Horse's Tail Illusion :
How can the same colour look different?
Go!
Moving Lines Illusion :
Everything is shifting around!
Go!
Müller-Lyer Illusion :
How long is the line?
Go!
The Questacon Polar Challenge :
Do you have what it takes to survive at the Poles?
Go!
Poggendorff Illusion :
Can you make a straight line?
Go!
Titchener Illusion :
How large are they?
Go!
Two Grey Steps Illusion :
Grey is not always grey!
Go!
Unreal Triangles :
See the invisible.
Go!
Zollner Illusion :
See a new slant on parallel lines.
Go!
Which is which, this or that? :
Ambiguity and instability in images
Go!
Picture This :
Landscapes, background and camouflage.
Go!
Delayed Telecasts :
After-effects in colour and black and white.
Go!
Ghost Busters :
Movement, colours and shapes that aren't really there.
Go!
Mission Impossible :
Impossible figures, 3D interpretations.
Go!
The Distorted Top Ten :
Mind-tricks with shapes, colours, sizes and patterns.
Go!
Far and Away :
Depth perception and judging distance.
Go!
Atten-shun! :
Visual organisation and the role of visual attention.
Go!
Word Perfect :
Language illusions.
Go!
Taste Test :
Sensory illusions with the taste buds.
Go!
Listen Up :
Try these sound illusions!
Go!
Heavy, Man :
Power of past experience.
Go!
The Q Mystery :
Explore the fascination of overlapping images to create Moiré patterns.
Go!
Wave Addition :
Twist the knobs and see what happens what shapes result when you combine waves.
Go!
The Emu :
Do you know where to look to find the enormous emu in the night sky?
Go!
The Sun :
Aborigines in northern Australia tell the story to explain why there is night and day.
Go!
The Seven Sisters :
The stars we now call the Pleiades were once seven beautiful sisters.
Go!
Tagai :
The story of Tagai, as told by the people of the Torres Strait.
Go!
The Seasons :
The traditional story of the star Arcturus.
Go!
The Moon :
The story of how the Moon got into the sky, from Cape York.
Go!
The Morning Star :
The story of the Morning Star, as told in parts of the Northern Territory.
Go!
The Southern Cross :
Learn an Aboriginal story behind the best known of our constellations.
Go!
Human Cloning :
You might be surprised to learn that human clones already exist!
Go!
Arguments For Cloning :
Some of the benefits in carrying out cloning research.
Go!
Arguments Against Cloning :
The cloning debate attracts quite passionate objections.
Go!
Piecing Together the Puzzle of DNA :
Three men were awarded the Nobel Prize, but what about the woman who worked with them?
Go!
Einstein: The Man of the Century :
Did you know Einstein was expelled from school at the age of 15?
Go!
Einstein's Scientific Achievements :
Trying to understand the laws of the Universe, here's some of what Einstein discovered.
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Burarra Gathering :
Take a virtual trip to northern Australia to learn about the Burarra way of life.
Go!
Inventions
Kids (5-11 years)
Solar-powered oven :
Create a solar-powered oven that uses light from the sun to warm food.
Go!
Solenoid chute :
Experiment with wire and a battery to create a magnetic field.
Go!
Nappy soak :
Dobbers might wear nappies but scientists can use them to experiment with polymers!
Go!
Bottle accelerometer :
Create a gadget that indicates the direction of acceleration.
Go!
Cams :
Cams can help make your machine follow a sequence of action.
Go!
Gears :
Gears can transfer motion energy and even magnify movement!
Go!
Levers :
Levers can be very handy if you need to open a door or swing a cricket bat.
Go!
Pistons :
Pistons are what let you stop a heavy car with just the strength of your foot.
Go!
Pulleys :
More pulleys give you more pulling power - enough to lift some incredible weights!
Go!
Wheels :
Wheels help objects move more easily by reducing friction between them and the ground.
Go!
Decimal Sand Glass :
Do you know whether your internal clock is running slow or fast?
Go!
Spirit on the Level :
Is the Earth really flat? If you had a gigantic spirit level, maybe you could check!
Go!
Dividing Time :
What would a clock look like if the day was divided into only 10 hours?
Go!
The Questacon Polar Challenge :
Do you have what it takes to survive at the Poles?
Go!
Rocket Science 101 :
What is a rocket? And how do they fly so high?
Go!
The 10 Rockets of Dr Yuri :
Can you figure out which are rockets and which are projectiles?
Go!
Innovative People :
How many Australians have won a Nobel Prize in science?
Go!
Wine Casks, Eskys and Lamingtons :
We've always been innovative when it comes to transporting a packed lunch.
Go!
Plastic Banknotes :
Plastic solves the problem of banknotes that wear out quickly.
Go!
Gene Shears :
An Australian technique to selectively cut out bits of unwanted or harmful DNA.
Go!
Bionic Ear :
Great Australian science is helping deaf people to hear.
Go!
Microsurgery :
An Australian surgeon has pioneered microscopic surgery techniques.
Go!
SolarScan :
The Australian SolarScan will greatly improve early detection of skin cancer.
Go!
VentrAssist :
A smaller, safer, more reliable, less expensive, and Australian artificial heart.
Go!
Black Box Recorder :
A clever Australian invention takes the mystery out of air disasters.
Go!
Aboriginal Technology :
Aboriginal technology takes some effort out of hunting.
Go!
Parkes Radio Telescope :
Australia shows the world the first steps on the Moon.
Go!
True Blue Loo :
An Australian designed, environmentally friendly toilet.
Go!
Improved Solar Cells :
Australian scientists have reduced the cost of solar cells.
Go!
Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch :
A torch that can burn in rain, hail and shine, even underwater.
Go!
100 Years of Innovation :
Here's some of the greatest Australian innovations of the past 100 years.
Go!
Applications of Photonics :
Besides keychains and pointers, what are lasers good for?
Go!
The History of Hot Air Balloons :
Can you believe that the hot air balloon began with a sheep, a duck and a rooster?
Go!
Science and Hot Air Balloons :
Hot air balloons are fun to ride in, but do they have any useful purpose?
Go!
All About Photography :
When were photographs invented? How does a camera work?
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
World Community Grid :
Use your home computer to help tackle some big problems!
Go!
Burarra Gathering :
Take a virtual trip to northern Australia to learn about the Burarra way of life.
Go!
Tweens and Teens (12+ years)
The Questacon Polar Challenge :
Do you have what it takes to survive at the Poles?
Go!
Applications of Photonics :
Besides keychains and pointers, what are lasers good for?
Go!
Binary Code :
How do you send information with light?
Go!
The History of Hot Air Balloons :
Can you believe that the hot air balloon began with a sheep, a duck and a rooster?
Go!
Science and Hot Air Balloons :
Hot air balloons are fun to ride in, but do they have any useful purpose?
Go!
All About Photography :
When were photographs invented? How does a camera work?
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
World Community Grid :
Use your home computer to help tackle some big problems!
Go!
Burarra Gathering :
Take a virtual trip to northern Australia to learn about the Burarra way of life.
Go!
Maths
Toddlers (1-4 years)
Measuring Things :
Measure the size, weight and volume of different things, including your own body.
Go!
Kids (5-11 years)
Hoopla :
Would you rather be accurate or precise? Try this experiment and see which one you are.
Go!
Dividing Time :
What would a clock look like if the day was divided into only 10 hours?
Go!
Nature's Balance :
Can you add up the animals to balance the massive monkey?
Go!
Coconut High :
Can you figure out the right angle and power to launch the coconut into the target?
Go!
Out on the Farm :
Can you cut this paddock into smaller ones with only a few straight lines?
Go!
Triangle Teaser :
Try your totalling on this tricky triangle teaser!
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Tweens and Teens (12+ years)
Out on the Farm :
Can you cut this paddock into smaller ones with only a few straight lines?
Go!
Pan-diagonal Magic Square :
Can you arrange the numbers on the magic square following a few simple rules?
Go!
Questacon Choo-Choo :
Can you calculate how long baby Sylvana will be in the dark?
Go!
The Queens :
Try and place the queens on the chess board so that every square is under attack.
Go!
The Seven Bridges :
Is it possible to cross the bridges without crossing the same one twice?
Go!
The Triplets Party :
Can you arrange the seven sets of triplets around the party tables?
Go!
The Williams Family :
Can you arrange the family from tallest to shortest?
Go!
Tower of Hanoi :
Can you move the coloured discs from one peg to another?
Go!
Triangle Teaser :
Try your totalling on this tricky triangle teaser!
Go!
Binary Code :
How do you send information with light?
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Nature
Toddlers (1-4 years)
Flower Fun :
Can you see where the coloured water goes?
Go!
Ant Farm :
Make your own ant farm using plastic bottles.
Go!
Growing Things :
Place the top of a carrot in water and watch it grow.
Go!
Live Insects :
Search your backyard for insects and observe what they look like and how they move.
Go!
Terrarium :
Build a small indoor garden and watch the seeds grow!
Go!
Watering the Garden :
Use a kitchen sieve to turn your garden hose into a shower.
Go!
Kids (5-11 years)
Model of a lung :
Explore how your body uses air pressure to inflate and deflate your lungs.
Go!
Pepper scatter :
Learn why some animals can walk on water by investigating the surface tension of water.
Go!
Bottled clouds :
Experiment with making clouds from water droplets and dust.
Go!
Mini greenhouse :
Create your own mini-environment and grow some alfalfa.
Go!
Predator or prey :
It’s a race between predator and prey to see who can catch the most food.
Go!
Rising water table :
How can you help prevent salt from destroying farmland?
Go!
Stop the rot :
Discover how a little salt can keep your food edible for months (if you don’t mind salty food).
Go!
The Questacon Polar Challenge :
Do you have what it takes to survive at the Poles?
Go!
Salt, soil and seeds :
Find out how salt in the soil affects plant growth.
Go!
Sink or Swim :
Find out how fish can sink or swim by changing their buoyancy.
Go!
Make Tracks :
Make you own virtual Roller Coaster
Go!
Natural Disasters :
Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes - how does Australia fair?
Go!
Control of Introduced Species :
Using biology, we can control the spread of introduced pests.
Go!
Gene Shears :
An Australian technique to selectively cut out bits of unwanted or harmful DNA.
Go!
Dolly - The Wonder Sheep :
Learn more about Dolly, the first cloned mammal.
Go!
The Death of Dolly :
At the age of six, Dolly was diagnosed with a form of arthritis.
Go!
Cc - The Copy Cat :
In December 2001, researchers cloned a pet for the first time.
Go!
Arguments For Cloning :
Some of the benefits in carrying out cloning research.
Go!
Arguments Against Cloning :
The cloning debate attracts quite passionate objections.
Go!
Tornadoes :
Did you know tornadoes have caused it to rain fish and frogs?
Go!
Polar Wanderers or Continental Drifting? :
Years ago, it was controversial to think that the Earth's continents constantly move!
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Burarra Gathering :
Take a virtual trip to northern Australia to learn about the Burarra way of life.
Go!
Tweens and Teens (12+ years)
Bottled clouds :
Experiment with making clouds from water droplets and dust.
Go!
The Questacon Polar Challenge :
Do you have what it takes to survive at the Poles?
Go!
Make Tracks :
Make you own virtual Roller Coaster
Go!
Natural Disasters :
Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes - how does Australia fair?
Go!
Dolly - The Wonder Sheep :
Learn more about Dolly, the first cloned mammal.
Go!
The Death of Dolly :
At the age of six, Dolly was diagnosed with a form of arthritis.
Go!
Cc - The Copy Cat :
In December 2001, researchers cloned a pet for the first time.
Go!
Arguments For Cloning :
Some of the benefits in carrying out cloning research.
Go!
Arguments Against Cloning :
The cloning debate attracts quite passionate objections.
Go!
Polar Wanderers or Continental Drifting? :
Years ago, it was controversial to think that the Earth's continents constantly move!
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Burarra Gathering :
Take a virtual trip to northern Australia to learn about the Burarra way of life.
Go!
Reactions
Toddlers (1-4 years)
Helping with Cooking :
Bake a cake or cook some pancakes to explore volume, weight, texture and time.
Go!
Cornflour Slime :
With cornflour and water you can make slime!
Go!
Bubble mix recipe :
The best bubble mix recipe ever! Make your own bounty of beautiful bubbles.
Go!
Kids (5-11 years)
Make your own antibubbles :
You’ve probably made regular bubbles before, but have you ever made antibubbles?
Go!
Permanent bubble colours :
Here's a way to make a sheet of lasting, bubble-like colours.
Go!
Flashing envelopes :
This is an interesting effect best observed in low light (or better yet, utter darkness!)
Go!
Salty prism :
Grow crystals using ordinary salt! Can you make crystals that are shaped like cubes?
Go!
Bubble mix recipe :
The best bubble mix recipe ever! Make your own bounty of beautiful bubbles.
Go!
Oil and water :
Help enemies become friends in this colourful experiment.
Go!
Pepper scatter :
Learn why some animals can walk on water by investigating the surface tension of water.
Go!
Pop-top fountain :
Create an explosive fountain of foam and gas!
Go!
Soap boat :
Sail the soapy seas with this activity full of high and low surface tension.
Go!
Storm in a Saucer :
Oil and water usually don't mix - but they do when you add a bit of detergent!
Go!
Bottled clouds :
Experiment with making clouds from water droplets and dust.
Go!
Elephant's toothpaste :
Have fun making a giant tube of foam that looks like it could be an elephant's toothpaste!
Go!
Borax slime :
This non-Newtonian fluid has gooey grossness and a bit of bounce.
Go!
Cornflour slime :
Explore how cornflour becomes thicker when pressure is applied.
Go!
Lava lamp :
Get down and boogie with the funky side of science.
Go!
Nappy soak :
Dobbers might wear nappies but scientists can use them to experiment with polymers!
Go!
Pop rocket :
Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda produces enough gas to power this small rocket!
Go!
Blubber hand :
Try your hand at this icy experience.
Go!
Fantastic Shrinking Plastic :
Are your ice block wrappers taking up too much space? Shrink them with this easy activity!
Go!
Science ice-cream :
Cold, creamy and scientifically intriguing!
Go!
Toilet roll cooler :
Create your own refrigerator with the cool power of evaporation!
Go!
Chromatography card :
Now it's a star. What will change when you add the water?
Go!
Colourful chemistry :
Cook up a storm in the kitchen... just don’t eat it!
Go!
Edible candle :
Energy, oxygen and fuel are the three essential ingredients to make fire.
Go!
Marble roller coaster :
Can your marble go the distance? Create your very own roller coaster track and watch your marble take a death-defying leap! Air bags not included!
Go!
Mentos fountain :
Get set for a dynamite result in this experiment of heat production, change of state and pressure!
Go!
Pepper Scatter :
What happens if you add some detergent to a tray of pepper?
Go!
Reading With a Candle :
People have been reading by candlelight for ages, but this activity is a bit different.
Go!
Rocket Science 101 :
What is a rocket? And how do they fly so high?
Go!
The 10 Rockets of Dr Yuri :
Can you figure out which are rockets and which are projectiles?
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Tweens and Teens (12+ years)
Make your own antibubbles :
You’ve probably made regular bubbles before, but have you ever made antibubbles?
Go!
Flashing envelopes :
This is an interesting effect best observed in low light (or better yet, utter darkness!)
Go!
Salty prism :
Grow crystals using ordinary salt! Can you make crystals that are shaped like cubes?
Go!
Pop-top fountain :
Create an explosive fountain of foam and gas!
Go!
Bottled clouds :
Experiment with making clouds from water droplets and dust.
Go!
Borax slime :
This non-Newtonian fluid has gooey grossness and a bit of bounce.
Go!
Pop rocket :
Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda produces enough gas to power this small rocket!
Go!
Fantastic Shrinking Plastic :
Are your ice block wrappers taking up too much space? Shrink them with this easy activity!
Go!
Science ice-cream :
Cold, creamy and scientifically intriguing!
Go!
Toilet roll cooler :
Create your own refrigerator with the cool power of evaporation!
Go!
Mentos fountain :
Get set for a dynamite result in this experiment of heat production, change of state and pressure!
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Space
Toddlers (1-4 years)
Astro Play :
Explore shadows, light, the Moon, stars and planets in these fun videos.
Go!
Kids (5-11 years)
CD balloon hovercraft :
A flying gliding hover craft – your very own compact mode of transportation!
Go!
Steam powered can :
With the steam from boiling water you can make a can spin around.
Go!
Star gazer :
Have you ever wanted to see the night sky... when it wasn't night time?
Go!
The Emu :
Do you know where to look to find the enormous emu in the night sky?
Go!
The Sun :
Aborigines in northern Australia tell the story to explain why there is night and day.
Go!
The Seven Sisters :
The stars we now call the Pleiades were once seven beautiful sisters.
Go!
Tagai :
The story of Tagai, as told by the people of the Torres Strait.
Go!
The Seasons :
The traditional story of the star Arcturus.
Go!
The Moon :
The story of how the Moon got into the sky, from Cape York.
Go!
The Morning Star :
The story of the Morning Star, as told in parts of the Northern Territory.
Go!
The Southern Cross :
Learn an Aboriginal story behind the best known of our constellations.
Go!
Comet Information :
Where do comets come from? What are they made of?
Go!
Meteor Strike :
Find out what might happen if a giant meteor were to hit the Earth!
Go!
Weight on different planets :
Would you weigh more or less if you were on another planet?
Go!
Make a comet :
Make your very own comet with some dry ice and a bit of soil.
Go!
Leo :
Make a paper version of the constellation Leo.
Go!
Scorpio :
Make a paper version of the constellation Scorpio.
Go!
Orion :
Make a paper version of the constellation Orion.
Go!
Ursa Major :
Make a paper version of the constellation Ursa Major.
Go!
Southern Cross :
Make a paper version of the best known of our constellations.
Go!
Between the Orion and Horsehead Nebulae :
Check out this wide angle view of of part of Orion.
Go!
The Horsehead Nebula :
Radiation from Sigma Orionis is enough to light this scene.
Go!
The Tarantula Nebula :
This is the only extragalactic star-forming nebula that can be seen with the unaided eye.
Go!
Antares :
Have a look at some of the faintest yet most spectacular nebulae.
Go!
Supernova 1987A :
Even though it exploded about 170 000 years ago, we can still see its light.
Go!
The Cone Nebula :
Here's a photo of some distinctive yellow nebulae.
Go!
The Helix Nebula :
Here's a photo of the nearest of the planetary nebulae.
Go!
Toby Jug Nebula :
A photo of the Toby Jug Nebula, IC 2220.
Go!
Cluster of Galaxies :
Check out this group of galaxies in Fornax, 55 million light years away.
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
Tweens and Teens (12+ years)
Steam powered can :
With the steam from boiling water you can make a can spin around.
Go!
The Emu :
Do you know where to look to find the enormous emu in the night sky?
Go!
The Sun :
Aborigines in northern Australia tell the story to explain why there is night and day.
Go!
The Seven Sisters :
The stars we now call the Pleiades were once seven beautiful sisters.
Go!
Tagai :
The story of Tagai, as told by the people of the Torres Strait.
Go!
The Seasons :
The traditional story of the star Arcturus.
Go!
The Moon :
The story of how the Moon got into the sky, from Cape York.
Go!
The Morning Star :
The story of the Morning Star, as told in parts of the Northern Territory.
Go!
The Southern Cross :
Learn an Aboriginal story behind the best known of our constellations.
Go!
Comet Information :
Where do comets come from? What are they made of?
Go!
Meteor Strike :
Find out what might happen if a giant meteor were to hit the Earth!
Go!
Weight on different planets :
Would you weigh more or less if you were on another planet?
Go!
Make a comet :
Make your very own comet with some dry ice and a bit of soil.
Go!
Leo :
Make a paper version of the constellation Leo.
Go!
Scorpio :
Make a paper version of the constellation Scorpio.
Go!
Orion :
Make a paper version of the constellation Orion.
Go!
Ursa Major :
Make a paper version of the constellation Ursa Major.
Go!
Southern Cross :
Make a paper version of the best known of our constellations.
Go!
Between the Orion and Horsehead Nebulae :
Check out this wide angle view of of part of Orion.
Go!
The Horsehead Nebula :
Radiation from Sigma Orionis is enough to light this scene.
Go!
The Tarantula Nebula :
This is the only extragalactic star-forming nebula that can be seen with the unaided eye.
Go!
Antares :
Have a look at some of the faintest yet most spectacular nebulae.
Go!
Supernova 1987A :
Even though it exploded about 170 000 years ago, we can still see its light.
Go!
The Cone Nebula :
Here's a photo of some distinctive yellow nebulae.
Go!
The Helix Nebula :
Here's a photo of the nearest of the planetary nebulae.
Go!
Toby Jug Nebula :
A photo of the Toby Jug Nebula, IC 2220.
Go!
Cluster of Galaxies :
Check out this group of galaxies in Fornax, 55 million light years away.
Go!
Study Resources :
Here's a list of some of our favourite web sites.
Go!
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