Middle School (ages 11-13) & General Public

Hair Diffraction

Participants use a hair to show how light can interfere to produce a diffraction pattern.     

Fabric of the Universe

Explore forces in a gravitational field using a spandex sheet and marbles.

This demonstration shows how gravity can be interpreted as the bending of spacetime due to massive bodies. Participants can identify gravity interactions, observe how the shape of the spandex corresponds to mathematical models, and make inferences based on object size, shape, and mass.

After completing this demonstration, present Part 2 to explore solar system formation, tides, and planetary rings. 

Pinhole Projector

Construct a pinhole projector to introduce participants to the basic properties of light. This tool can then be used to view eclipses or other bright sources.

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