Classroom Presentations

Mad Science Presentation for Elementary students 

Lincoln Laboratory scientists and engineers are available to give free presentations in local K-12 classrooms. Presentations and hands-on lab activities are available in many subject areas, including biology, chemistry, physics, Earth science, engineering, math, and archaeology. Most presentations can be adapted to different lengths and different grade levels. To arrange for a classroom presentation, please contact Dr. Todd Rider (thor@ll.mit.edu).

 

Lincoln Laboratory's "Mad Science Show" engages students by demonstrating how to make a light saber.

General Topics

How to Become a Scientist
Women in Science and Engineering
How to Do a Great Science Fair Project
Mad Science Show

 

Archaeology

Archaeology and Ancient Artifacts
Ancient High Technology
Reading Ancient Egyptian Inscriptions
Reading Ancient Mesopotamian Inscriptions
Reading Ancient Mayan Inscriptions

 

The GPS seminar explains how a GPS unit tracks a student running around the school perimeter.

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Rockets and Satellites
How GPS Knows Where You Are
Fluids and Aerodynamics
Radio-Controlled Airplanes
Engineering Activities and Competitions (toothpick towers, paper airplanes, foil boats)

 

Math

Fun with Math
Calculus Made Easy
Powers of 10 (from subatomic particles to the universe)

 

Chemistry

The "Chemistry Magic Show" appeals to all age ranges and easily shows how exciting science can be.

Everyday Chemistry
Chemistry of the Elements
Chemistry Magic Show
Liquid Nitrogen Show

 

Electrical Engineering

Electric Circuits
How Radios Work
How Computers Work
Digital Communications
Robots
Artificial Intelligence

 

Biology

The fossils presentation brings a variety of samples directly to the classroom.

Playing with DNA
Playing with Enzymes
Yogurt Bacteria and Antibiotics
Critters Under the Microscope
Fossils
Evolution

 

Physics

Newton's Laws
Forms of Energy
Simple Machines
Gyroscopes
Heat and Thermodynamics

In the "Identifying Rocks" presentation, students learn a new skill and put it to immediate use.
Sound Waves and Acoustics
Sound and Music
Optics and Lasers
Infrared Imaging
Quantum Physics
Nuclear Power
Antimatter

 

Earth Science and Astronomy

Identifying Rocks
Identifying Minerals
Earth's Interior and Plate Tectonics
Weather and Forecasting
Global Warming
Water and Soil Testing
Planets and Asteroids
Astronomy and Telescopes
Terraforming for Tots
From the Big Bang to Now
Black Holes and Wormholes

 

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