Resources

Explore resources from Explora and other community partners for at home hands-on fun!

Explora is proud to be partnering with HowtoSmile on a new set of activity cards that will help caregivers and educators support at-home STEM learning. Visit their website or keep scrolling to check-out the cards!

Neurodiversity and Universal Design for Learning Guidebook

This guidebook represents the collaborative efforts of educators, designers, researchers, evaluators, facilitators, and youth co-designers from Explora, New York Hall of Science, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, EDC.org, and J. Sickler Consulting.

Use this guidebook to...

Learn about neurodiversity and Universal Design for Learning
Make hands-on programs, exhibits, and activities more accessible and engaging for more people
Find starting points for making changes within your time and budget
Decide how to get feedback from neurodivergent learners or organizations

NUDL Guidebook

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This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2313850.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

EXHIBIT NEWS

Permanent Exhibits

New Exhibit: Mechanics Alive!

Get an up-close look at a collection of wonderful automata, which are artistic mechanical sculptures. These intricately hand-crafted artworks are making Explora their exclusive stop in New Mexico. This is the second visit of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre automata to Explora, and there are both new artworks and old favorites included in the collection, which will be shown in groupings throughout the museum.

LEARN MORE

Water Flow Patio Re-opens

HowtoSmile: Explora Activity Catalog

Click an image to download the activity card!

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Contact Explora

Download a map of Explora's exhibits

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Coding Algorithms

Card Games

Algorithms are a repeatable series of steps that, when followed, complete a task. Computers use algorithms all the time to solve problems and perform various tasks. The directions you wrote are an algorithm for getting through the maze. There is often more than one way to complete a task, so there can be more than one algorithm for any given task.

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Design a Seed

Nature and Environment

In this activity, learners will design a seed and test how it travels. Use the Engineering Design Process to create a seed which can move from place to place. Activity includes step-by-step instructions, "what's the science" section that explains the science behind the activity, and extension ideas. This activity requires recyclable materials.

Child experimenting with air and bubbles

Pollinator Bath

Farming, Nature, and Insects

In this activity, learners will build a design and build a place for pollinators to drink from. Learners will create a place to attract and observe pollinators and learn how to best support pollinators. Activity includes step-by-step instructions and is available in English and Spanish. This activity uses low cost materials and can be done at home.

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Straw Rockets

Arts and Crafts

In this activity, learners will create unique rockets. Each rocket will be powered by air as the child will blow into a straw and watch their rocket fly. Learners are encouraged to change their rocket design and the type of straw to find the best flying rocket. Activity includes step-by-step instructions with visual aids. This activity uses low-cost materials and can be done at home.

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Rip It Up And Start Again - Composting

Agriculture and Gardening

In this activity, learners will experiment to find how long it takes to compost paper. This experiment will take a couple of weeks to conduct. Although the experiment may take a long, the price to do the experiment is free. After the experiment is finished, learning will understand how long it takes for something to decompose in nature.

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Thirsty Candle

Discrepant Event, Experiment

In this activity, learners will explore the dynamics of air pressure by using a candle, a cup, and a dish of water. Learners will observe how the candle flame effects air temperature and how that interaction can be seen through a change in water level. Activity includes step-by-step instructions in English and in Spanish. This activity also makes use of common household items

Children and a docent interacting with a digital math exhibit

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Pollinator Bingo

Bingo, I-Spy, Games

In this activity, learners will use their five senses to explore a nature-based area around them. While walking through a nature area, the child will use their senses to find different things to fill out their bingo card. This activity allows children to explore their natural surroundings. Activity includes step-by-step instructions and is available in Spanish and English translation.

A hand interacting with a red laser experiment

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Water Engineering

Model Building

In this activity, learners will engineer a water irrigation system. Create an acequia to move water with the help of gravity. Activity includes step-by-step instructions, "what's the science" section that explains the science behind the activity, and extension ideas.

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Soil Density

Earth Science, Ecology

In this activity learners will test soil content using their sample, some water and a container that seals. Learners will observe soil suspension and layering of various proportions of sand, clay and silt along with organic materials. Activity has step-by-step instructions in English and Spanish. This activity uses easy to find materials.

Download a map of Explora's exhibits

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Helicopters

Aerodynamics

In this activity learners will observe how air interacts with a paper helicopter. Activity has step-by-step instructions in English and Navajo. This activity uses easy to find materials.

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Flower Power

Gardening: Nature and Environment

In this activity, learners will experiment with changing flower colors. Investigate the effects of acids and bases on flower colors. Activity includes step-by-step instructions and extension ideas. This activity uses easy to find materials.

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Parachutes

Outdoor Activity

In this activity, learners will investigate air and gravity through the use of various fabrics by through them in the air. Activity includes step-by-step instructions and extension ideas.

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Pendulum Fun

Motion

In this activity learners will explore pendulum motion. Through a science experiment with step-by-step instructions. There are extension ideas for students to further activity.

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Static Electricity

Attraction

In this activity learners will explore ways static electricity interacts with the surroundings of an object. The activity has step-by-step instructions in English and Navajo. This activity uses easy to find materials.

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Honeycomb Geometry

Nature and Environment, Model Building

In this activity, learners will build a honeycomb. Investigate how the shape of the honeycomb develops. Activity includes step-by-step instructions and extension ideas. This activity uses easy to find materials.

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Star Stories

Stars and Planets

In this activity, learners will explore the stars that are visible from earth. Activity includes step-by-step instructions and extension ideas. All materials are easy to find within the home or is cost effective.

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Floating and Sinking Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and Veggies

In this activity learners will explore the density of an object in water. This activity has a step by step instructions in English and Navajo. This activity uses easy to find materials.

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Squishy Soil

Nature and Environment: Outdoor activity

In this activity, learners will investigate the part of soil. Explore how clay, silt, and sand make up the dirt in your background. Activity includes step-by-step instructions and extension ideas. This activity uses easy to find materials.

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Ice Melt

Thermal Energy

In this activity learners will explore intro information of thermal dynamics by experimenting with ice. Activity includes step-by-step instructions. Activity provides information what is happening to the ice.

Explorations

KneeHiSci

Experiments for our youngest visitors.

Arts and Crafts Workshop / Taller de artes manuales y artesanías

Work with recycled materials for making anything you can imagine. Can you make an object that is physically or visually balanced? Can you make something that doesn’t look like anything else?

Experiment Bar / Barra de experimentación

Microscopes, Pigments, Chromatography… You never know what you’ll encounter in our Experiment Bar. Activities change throughout the month, and are available for visitors to drop in and explore during their visit.

Curious Bubbles / Burbujas curiosas

Blow, pop, dip, float, and swirl while you investigate all the amazing properties of bubbles in our bubble exhibit space. We have big bubbles and micro bubbles and everything in between with our exhibits built right here at Explora!

Riding the High Wire Bike two stories high / Montando la bicicleta de cuerda floja a dos pisos de altura

For safety reasons you must meet these requirements:

Height: Taller than 56 inches, but shorter than 6 feet 5 inches

Weight: Less than 225 pounds

Paradox Café / Café de las paradojas

Explore your perception. Are your eyes or your brain telling you the truth? How can our eyes be misled? How do black, white, shades of grey, and shadow affect our brains’ interpretations?

Rotary Pavilion

How would you build something you can sit inside? What can you transport using a wheelbarrow, a basket, or a 20-foot conveyor belt? In our “Working Together to Build a Village” exhibit area, tabletop and large-scale materials invite experimentation with architecture design, engineering, and construction. Families can build together, while enjoying a view of the Sandia Mountains.

Sketch Theater!

Imagine, sketch, and release your very own animated character into the digital world. Watch as it comes to life in teamLab’s interactive installation from Japan. Explora will alternate the Sketch Aquarium with Sketch Town.