Activity: Atomic Candy
Posted on October 16th, 2011 by Mary Lord
In this activity, students in grades 5 – 11 will use M&Ms to learn about radioactivity, the rate at which an isotope decays, and the concept of half-life. They will count and record the number of decayed “atoms” and graph the results.
Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades 9-12, Lesson Plans | Comments Off on Activity: Atomic Candy
Tags: Energy, half life, M&Ms, nuclear energy, Nuclear Engineering, radioactive decay, radioactivity
The Office of Naval Research provides several different outreach programs for students at different grade levels. The programs, which include competitions and afterschool engagement, range in size and mission.
The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge is a contest for K-12 students to learn about biomimicry — design inspired by nature — and use it to create something new. Sponsored by the nonprofit Biomimicry Institute, the contest is open to students at three different levels: K-4 (submissions made by the whole class); 5-8; and 9-12. Prizes will be awarded in all three categories.
Science Club for Girls (SCFG) is a series of afterschool STEM programs offering K-12 girls the chance to explore science and technology through experiments and activities. Through the Junior Mentor leadership program, teenage girls become role models, teaching young children science, learning life skills, conducting outreach, and exploring careers in STEM fields. 
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory recently announced the new Fall 2011 Cassini Scientist for a Day essay contest for students in grades 5-12. Winners are invited to a teleconference with Cassini scientists and engineers from the lab. The contest deadline is Oct. 26, 2011.
In this lesson, students in grades 3 – 12 will explore the engineering design process by building a device that can launch a ping-pong ball high enough for them to catch it.
Join PBS’s Design Squad Nation and ASEE’s Engineering Go For It for a free webinar entitled “Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers,” on August 25 from 12 PM to 1 PM EDT. Learn about free hands-on activities, videos, and other online resources that will help enliven your classes and spark a love of engineering in kids ages 9 and up.
Adventures of the Mind, a mentoring summit, brings together 150 of the nation’s top students and 50 accomplished mentors, who will share their life stories with the Junior Achievers. They will learn first-hand that excellence is not only possible, but the path to it lies right in front of them. The 2011 summit is at the University of Montana, Missoula, June 22-26, 2011.
Pathways to Science supports pathways to the STEM fields. It places particular emphasis on connecting underrepresented groups with STEM programs, funding, mentoring, and resources. This website features programs such as undergraduate summer research opportunities, graduate fellowships, postdoctoral positions, and recruitment and retention materials.
