Gymnast

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In this physics activity, learners build a toy with a figure that spins around like a gymnast on the high bar. Learners follow step-by-step instructions (with photos) to construct the toy made out of PVC pipes, a clothes peg, wood and other simple materials. When they squeeze the PVC pipes together at the bottom, the gymnast swings around. Use this activity to introduce learners to levers and simple machines. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per student
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • 30in PVC pipe, 1/2in diameter
  • 1 Clothes peg, old style one piece
  • 1 Straw
  • Wire, 16 ga. steel baling
  • 1 Wood piece, 1in x2in x3in
  • String, medium
  • Tape, masking & electrical
  • Hot glue
  • Decorations

Keywords

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • Energy
      • Work and Machines
    • Motion and Forces
      • Machines
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Informal Categories

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Toys

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop, 2011

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