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Showing results 21 to 39 of 39
Thrill Ride
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In this activity, learners will build a roller coaster for a marble to run on using everyday household materials such as paper towel or toilet paper rolls, cups, boxes, books, buckets, chairs, etc.
Speed, Eggs and Slam!
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In this fun hands-on activity, learners create a safety device to protect an egg "passenger" in a toy car crash. Learners experiment with different solutions to this very problem.
Spinning Illusions
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In this activity, learners construct three optical illusion toys to examine how our brains play tricks on what we see.
Scribbling Machines
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In this activity, learners explore electronics and motion by making a Scribbling Machine, a motorized contraption that moves in unusual ways and leaves a mark to trace its path.
Balancing Sculptures
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In this activity, learners will use a variety of household and/or natural objects to design a sculpture that balances from a single point.
Echo Base Bobsleds
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The goal of this activity is to build a miniature bobsled that is either the fastest or the slowest. Learners use recycled materials to design, build, and test their bobsled on a bobsled track.
Racing with the Sun: Creating a Solar Car
Source Institutions
Learners use engineering design principles to construct and test a fully solar-powered car. Solar car kits usually include a photovoltaic cell and motor; some include a chassis as well.
Paper Tape Motion Timer
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In this activity, learners build a recording timer made from simple materials (e.g., small dc motor, sharpie pen, craft sticks, adding machine paper tape, etc.).
Zipline
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In this design activity, learners create a vehicle that can transport a load, like a favorite toy or as a recycled object, from the top of a zipline to the bottom using only gravity.
Airboat
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In this activity related to Newton's Laws of Motion, learners build a boat powered by a propeller in the air.
Engineering Ups and Downs
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In this activity, learners explore the engineering and principles behind working elevators.
Let's Make Music
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In this activity, learners will create their own percussion instrument with recycled materials. Learners will explore design, fabrication, cause and effect and sound through this activity.
Roller Coasters
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In this design challenge, learners will create their own roller coaster using household objects for the track and a marble or small ball as their cart.
Sail Car Design
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This activity (on page 3 of the PDF under GPS: Sailboat Design Activity) is a full inquiry investigation into design optimization.
Cardboard Automata
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Cardboard Automata are a playful way to explore simple machine elements while creating a mechanical sculpture.
Hovercraft
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In this activity, learners build a hovercraft using a paper plate, cup, and simple motor.
Stomp Rockets
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In this activity, learners will build a stomp-powered launcher to blast off paper rockets they design. Materials can be found at a local hardware store or you may already have them at home.
Target Practice
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In this dynamic activity, learners build a catapult that launches projectiles, such as marshmallows.
Burst a Bubble
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In this activity, learners will create their own bubble solution. Learners will explore chemistry, geometry and trial and error through this activity.