When J.J. Thomson first discovered that a cathode ray was actually a particle beam consisting of a stream of electrons, he concluded that these new particles were not just another type of atom. Explore and compare the behavior of electrons vs. charged atoms when they are shot through an electric field of varying intensity.

Explore the structure of various proteins and see how the nonpolar amino acids form the core of many protein structures.

Each page of this activity has a CODAP doc for recording data from sensors. This can be used for ad hoc experimentation or just messing around with sensors to learn how to use them. If not using sensors, the sensor interactive can be minimized and moved out of the way.

Explore a protein and its components using a simplified representation to see structure; or a view of all atoms to see full details.

Learn about exponential decay in real-world situations. Problems involve the application of depreciation of an asset and radioactive decay. Learn to apply exponential decay equations and interpret graphs. This is the last of three activities for teaching and learning about exponential functions in algebra: Graphing Exponential Equations; Exponential Growth; and Exponential Decay.

Learn about exponential growth in real-world situations. Problems involve the application of compound interest and exponential population growth. This is the second of three activities for teaching and learning about exponential functions in algebra: Graphing Exponential Equations, Exponential Growth and Exponential Decay.

Explore the role of size and shape in the strength of London dispersion attractions. While all molecules are attracted to each other, some attractions are stronger than others. Non-polar molecules are attracted through a London dispersion attraction; the strength of the attraction depends on the shapes and sizes of the interacting molecules. The force of attractions between molecules has consequences for their interactions in physical, chemical and biological applications.

Explore the potential and kinetic energy as two atoms form a covalent bond.

Explore the balance of forces and electron distribution as two atoms are moved closer and further apart.

To combat the common misconception that all mutations have large effects on proteins, students experiment with the Protein Synthesis Simulation to learn about the relationship among DNA, codons, amino acids, and proteins. At first, students investigate a strand of DNA that includes all 20 amino acids. Then, they make guided changes to discover that sometimes a single change can stop most of the protein from being formed, while another change produces no noticeable affect at all. Next, they complete challenges to mutate a DNA strand, and conclude with a mini-research project on mutations.

In this activity, students study gas laws at a molecular level. They vary the volume of a container at constant temperature to see how pressure changes (Boyle's Law), change the temperature of a container at constant pressure to see how the volume changes with temperature (Charles’s Law), and experiment with heating a gas in a closed container to discover how pressure changes with temperature (Gay Lussac's Law). They also discover the relationship between the number of gas molecules and gas volume (Avogadro's Law). Finally, students use their knowledge of gas laws to model a heated soda can collapsing as it is plunged into ice water.

This activity uses the phenomena of hydrogen-filled weather balloons and hot air balloons to explore some of the gas laws.

Explore how a particle model of gases works to predict the behavior of a syringe under various conditions.

In this dynamic data science game, students try to track down a speck of extremely dangerous radioactive material (the "source"), which has been lost somewhere in the middle of their lab. A special device measures the strength of the radiation and, if it's positioned correctly over the speck, can be used to collect it for safe disposal. But it's a tiny speck, so they have to give quite precise coordinates. They take measurements to figure out the speck's location, but must beware: as they take measurements, they're also accumulating radiation exposure. If they get too much, they'll lose the game and will have to start over. Can they find the source before it's too late? Using mathematical models, students generate useful strategies for winning the game with data.

The Geniverse software is being developed as part of a five-year research project funded by the National Science Foundation. Still in its early stages, a Beta version of the software is currently being piloted in six schools throughout New England. We invite you to try the current Beta version, keeping in mind that you may encounter errors or pages that are not fully functional. If you encounter any problem, it may help to refresh or reload the web page.

How might Earth's temperature change in the future? Use this model to explore how changing human emissions of greenhouse gases might affect the temperature. The model incorporates positive and negative feedback loops. Ice cover and cloud cover change in response to the level of water vapor and temperature in the model.

Learn about exponential functions by graphing various equations representing exponential growth and decay. Graph these functions by connecting ordered pairs on x-y axes.

Students learn to graph the equation of a quadratic function using the coordinates of the vertex of a parabola and its x-intercepts. After completing this activity, students will be able to graph a parabola using a vertex and x-intercepts, identify the vertex of a parabola from a quadratic function in standard form and identify the x-intercepts of a quadratic function in standard form.

Build your own miniature "greenhouse" out of a plastic container and plastic wrap, and fill it with different things such as dirt and sand to observe the effect this has on temperature. Monitor the temperature using temperature probes and digitally plot the data on the graphs provided in the activity.