The Material World

Have you ever experienced static electricity? Like when you pull a wool sweater over your head in the winter? See what else static electricity can do in this hands-on activity.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

This backgrounder has information about both cosmic & neutron radiation.

There’s a lot of cool chemistry in a can of pop! Learn how solubility, chemical equilibrium, acids & bases and gas laws work in some of your favourite drinks.