The Invisible World
Did you know that everything around you is made up of tiny particles that can’t be seen with even the most powerful microscopes? In fact, at least 50 trillion particles from outer space pass through your body every second! In this session, we’ll learn how scientists “see” these particles. We’ll also explore the nature of light and its many forms.
Dates Offered:
- September 29, 2007
- October 2, 2010
- October 5, 2013
- September 30, 2017
The Material World
Did you know that you can boil water with ice? Or that you can turn the air we breathe into a liquid? In this session, you will see matter behave in ways that you can’t even imagine! You’ll also get a chance to explore the properties of an unknown substance. Does it act like a solid, liquid, or a gas? You be the judge!
Dates Offered:
- October 27, 2007
- November 13, 2010
- November 16, 2013
- February 17, 2018
The Chemical World
Did you know that you can write with fire? Or that a chemical reaction can release the energy in an ordinary Gummi Bear, creating an explosion? Chemical reactions are all around us, even within your own body. In this session, we’ll explore the nature of chemical reactions and how scientists use chemicals in our everyday lives.
Dates Offered:
- February 9, 2008
- February 12, 2011
- February 8, 2014 & April 12, 2014
- April 14, 2018
The Robotic World (previously The Mechanical World)
Have you ever wondered how a robot works? In this session, we will learn how to design, build, and program robots. We will also explore how robots fit into society, from the home to the medical field.
Example Drawbots from Yale Physics on Vimeo.
Dates Offered:
- April 5, 2008
- April 9, 2011
- February 6, 2016
- April 6, 2019
The Floating World
Have you ever wondered why some things sink and some things float? Is there a connection between you floating in a swimming pool and a balloon floating in the air? You will be able to discover the answers to these questions by doing hands on experiments, while recording and analyzing data in the same way a scientist does. Activities include: making your own device to measure volume, making a boat to determine how much it can carry without sinking, and using a blower to dispel your own handmade craft down a zip line and more!
Dates Offered:
- September 27, 2008
- October 22, 2011
- November 11, 2017
The Electromagnetic World
Jump into the static electric party! See lightning bolts. Do hands-on projects with sticking balloons, electrostatic fleas, and stored up charges that make super sparklers. Get in flow with electric circuits. Measure the electrical current in lemons. Create your own potato clock or lamp! Find your way with magnets. Build a strong electromagnet and explore the amazing properties of magnetic and electric fields. Be surprised by superconductivity and the inner workings of computers. This will be one great electromagnetic event!
Dates Offered:
- November 1, 2008
- December 5, 2011
- November 14, 2015
- November 10, 2018
The Classical to Quantum World
Did you know that if you throw a ball at a wall there is a very, very, very small chance it will simply pass right through it instead of bouncing off it? Do you think light is a particle or a wave? How can you tell? Physicists at the turn of the last century were startled to find that nature is not what it seemed. In this session we’ll explore all the wacky ways that Quantum mechanics actually best describes the world around us.
Dates Offered:
- February 7, 2009
- February 11, 2012
- April 9, 2016
- February 9, 2019
The Extra-Terrestrial World
Have you ever wondered if there’s life on other worlds? How do you find out about something so far away? In this session we will learn about different methods of probing other planets. You will experiment with lenses and build useful devices with them. You will also construct your own rocket that you can launch into the sky!
Dates Offered:
- April 4, 2009
- April 14, 2012
- September 19, 2015
- September 22, 2018
The World of Light
Did you know that there is a connection between a rainbow and your reflection in a mirror? You can produce your own 3D images and write secret messages that can only be read using certain colored filters. Learn about light and color through your own hands-on investigations. See how light can be used to make electric currents flow. Play with optical illusions and make your own puzzling pictures. There is lots of fun to be had with the light!
Dates Offered:
- September 26, 2009
- September 29, 2012
- September 24, 2016
- September 21, 2019
The Geophysical World
Shake, rattle, and roll is the action for today as we learn about the forces that move the earth’s crust. Have fun with “Seismic Slinkies”. Then, build an earthquake proof model house that can withstand the force of the Yale SHAKE table!
Dates Offered:
- November 14, 2009
- November 10, 2012
- April 8, 2017
The Electronic World
Have you ever opened up an old computer or cell phone and looked at the circuits inside? Have you thought about what all those little parts do? In this session, we’ll make paper circuits and play with resistors, light bulbs, LEDs and more. Come join us and make an interactive card for your favorite Valentine and a buzzing game to play with your friends!
The Electronic World from Yale Physics on Vimeo.
Dates Offered:
- February 13, 2010
- February 11, 2017
- February 8, 2020
- February 11, 2023
The World of Sound
Did you know you can’t hear anything in space? Do you know how your ear works to hear things? Learn why and more! See the same sounds you hear on an oscilloscope!
The World of Sound from Yale Physics on Vimeo.
Dates Offered:
- April 27, 2010
- February 2, 2013
- November 12, 2016
- November 16, 2019
The Oceanographic World
More than 70% of the earth’s surface is covered in water and scientists are continually learning more about this largely unexplored world. We will learn about the fascinating science of the oceans in this GSI developed in honor of Michele Dufault.
Date Offered:
- April 13, 2013
The Sustainable World
Description to come.
Date Offered:
- November 7, 2020
2014-2015 - Girls’ Science Investigations not held
All sessions are aligned to the CT Standards and Performances