Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 40
Build Your Own Wind Turbine
Source Institutions
Learners construct an electricity-generating wind turbine out of a plastic bottle.
Fan Cart
Source Institutions
If a sailboat is stranded because there is no wind, is it possible to set up a fan on deck and blow wind into the sail to make the boat move?
Building a Basic Series Circuit
Source Institutions
This activity was designed for blind learners, but all types of learners can use it to build and examine a basic electrical circuit.
Laser Lissajous: PVC Version
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use a laser pointer and two small rotating mirrors to create a variety of fascinating patterns, which can be easily and dramatically projected on a wall or screen.
Electric Paddle Boat
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build an electric two-paddle boat using paint paddles, plastic knives, and empty water bottles.
Creepy Crawlers
Source Institutions
Trick your family and friends with this creepy crawler that moves up and down. In this activity, learners construct a circuit and motor device that will move a homemade spider in a spooky way.
Aluminum-Air Battery: Foiled again!
Source Institutions
Construct a simple battery that's able to power a small light or motor out of foil, salt water, and charcoal. A helpful video, produced by the Exploratorium, guides you along on this activity.
Stripped-down Motor
Source Institutions
In this activity, you'll make an electric motor--a simple version of the electric motors found in toys, tools, and appliances everywhere.
Bottle Cars
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore motion, energy, and electricity by constructing bottle cars that run on motors.
Motor Effect
Source Institutions
In this activity about electricity and magnetism, learners examine what happens when a magnet exerts a force on a current-carrying wire.
Shake Table
Source Institutions
This activity guide includes instructions on how to build a "Shake Table" by mounting an eccentric mass (off center) on the shaft of a small dc motor.
How Do We Convert Electrical Energy into Mechanical Energy?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners make an electromagnet motor to demonstrate the most basic method of changing electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Motor Bird
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a bird that flies in place with help from a motor, wire, and some straws.
Speedboat
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a speedboat using paint paddles, a propeller, and film canister. Learners attach a simple circuit and motor to the boat to power the propellers.
Laser Lissajous: Binder Clip Version
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use a laser pointer and two small rotating mirrors to create a variety of fascinating patterns, which can be easily and dramatically projected on a wall or screen.
Push Pull Painter
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners create painting machines that can paint moving forwards and backwards.
Motor Effect
Source Institutions
See what force a magnet has on a wire that has current running through it: will it push it, pull it, or will nothing happen? This is the foundation of a simple electric motor.
Personal Fan
Source Institutions
Cool off in the heat with this project! Learners use simple materials to build a fan that runs on a motor.
Cactus Needle Phonograph
Source Institutions
Build a phonograph record player using a cactus needle, a record, LEGOs gear box, and a piece of paper! This activity uses a Pico Cricket to turn the motor.
Forward-Reverse Switch
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a switch to turn electrical circuits on and off.