Material World

This backgrounder explains what light is, how it is measured, and how it affects people on Earth and astronauts on board the International Space Station.

In this hands on activity find out just how much of an iceberg is below the surface. It might surprise you!

Hydraulics power many of the large machines you see around you.

Try out this cool activity to hear sound vibrations.

Discover how to use some common kitchen ingredients to make glue.

Explore how we see things through water.

Scientists are training artificial intelligence to diagnose injuries using x-rays and other medical imagery of you (and millions of others). What improvements and other changes might this bring to the health care system?

How is light connected to the colours we see? In this STEAM activity make a colourful light catcher and discover why we see different colours?

How does the human eye see visible light as colour? And why do some people see more colours than others?

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!

Use a pop bottle and other everyday materials to create a rocket that you can launch outdoors.

Build a vortex cannon and discover how fluids (liquids and gases) can move in unique ways due to their physical properties.

The human eye lets us see the world by sending impulses to our nervous system. In many ways, it is very similar to other optical devices, including cameras.

Have you ever been on a ship and wondered how you’re staying afloat? The answer is buoyancy!

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.