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The Material World

Georgetown, Australia

How Did a Piece of Canada End Up in Australia?

STEM Explained

Learn how geologists used radioactive dating to uncover geology shared by both Canada and Australia.

Polar bear and two cubs

How do animals stay warm in the winter?

Hands-on Activities

Animals have some unique adaptations to stay warm. Discover what conduction of heat and insulation have to do with staying warm!

How do I construct a terrarium?

How do I construct a terrarium?

Hands-on Activities

You can make your own terrarium for growing plants!

How does rain become acidic?

How does rain become acidic?

Hands-on Activities

Learn how to make a pH indicator and test water samples.

Gamma ray image of the Milky Way taken by NASA’s Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope (NASA)

Gamma Rays: Helper or Hazard?

STEM Explained

Gamma rays might make you think of cancer, harmful radiation or superheroes. But gamma rays have lots of uses: food safety, manufacturing and even medicine!

How can I build a rollercoaster?

How can I build a rollercoaster?

Hands-on Activities

Try your hand at building a “super coaster” using materials around your home.

Cartoon aircraft in flight

Cosmic Radiation and Aviation

Backgrounders

Learn how people came to understand the source of cosmic radiation, as well as how this radiation impacts those who work in and travel on airplanes.

Hand with screwdriver “repairing” DNA

DNA Damage and Repair

Backgrounders

This backgrounder explains the different ways that cells repair damage to DNA.

Man being struck by lightning

Do Amps or Volts Kill You?

STEM Explained

This resource explains electricity basics - volts, amps, currents, resistance, and why it is dangerous to touch electrical outlets with wet hands.

Wind turbines with energy storage system

Can You Store Electricity for Later?

STEM Explained

Sometimes, power plants make too much electricity. Energy storage technologies can help! They store the extra electricity and release it when demand goes up.

Woman having a panic attack

Chemical Equilibrium and Panic Attacks

STEM Explained

Panic attacks are scary and they upset your body’s chemical equilibrium. Learn what happens to acids & bases in your circulatory system during a panic attack.

Gentilly-2 nuclear reactor

Cleaning Up Nuclear Waste After Decommissioning

STEM Explained

When a nuclear reactor is no longer in use, the radioactivity in its materials remains. That’s why it’s important to safely deal with the radioactive waste those plants leave behind.

Birds flying near a wind farm

Are wind farms a threat to wildlife?

STEM Explained

Wind power is a growing source of electricity generation. But wind projects often affect local wildlife populations, and researchers are using environmental monitoring techniques to alleviate some of these impacts.

Damage to DNA

Radiation Effects on Cells & DNA

Backgrounders

This backgrounder explains the effects of radiation on cells and DNA.

Eruption on the surface of the Sun

What are Cosmic Rays?

Backgrounders

This backgrounder has information about both cosmic & neutron radiation.