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Roller Ball Painting
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This is an activity in which learners explore the effects of gravity, motion and momentum while creating art.

Cup Draw
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In this activity, learners construct drawing machines using a cup, some markers, and a cricket to control the movement. A programmed LEGO RCX or Cricket is required for this high-tech version.

Push Pull Painter
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In this activity, learners create painting machines that can paint moving forwards and backwards.

Puppet Power
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In this mechanical engineering activity, learners design shadow puppets with moving parts and use them to tell stories.

Crank It Up
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In this engineering activity, learners explore simple machines and then build cardboard automata using cams.

Cup Draw (Low Tech)
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In this activity, learners construct drawing machines using a cup, some markers, and a battery pack. The markers act as "legs" for the machine, making a drawing that records as it moves.

Hang Time
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Learn how to make and fly a paper helicopter! This simple activity includes a template (for the copter "blades") and instructions for folding, flying, and testing designs.

Pinball Wizard
Source Institutions
In this hands-on engineering project, kids use two simple machines, levers and inclined planes, to construct their own pinball machines.

Set It Straight
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a simple tabletop seesaw to test how different variables (the position of the fulcrum, distance, weight) affect its balance under increasing weight loads.

Micro Automata
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In this activity, learners build small animated toys that move.

Action Figure
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In this project, students explore how levers work, by making a puppet with moving limbs.

Cranking Bird
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In this activity, learners build a mini crank machine to make a bird "fly." This engineering activity introduces learners to automata, rotational motion, cranks and cams.

Cardboard Automata
Source Institutions
Cardboard Automata are a playful way to explore simple machine elements while creating a mechanical sculpture.

Bearings for Your Whirligig
Source Institutions
Experiment with friction and make bearings for a whirligig! This activity is a nice introduction to friction and bearings and demonstrates why bearings are useful for spinning.

Lever Cowboy
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a figure that moves and "comes to life" when they pull its string.

Pico Cricket Compass
Source Institutions
Learners can program a compass to draw a circle by itself using a Pico Cricket, some Legos, and lots of tape! Pico Cricket is required.

Drawing Board
Source Institutions
The Drawing Board consists of a marking pen that remains stationary and a platform that swings beneath the pen, acting as a pendulum.

Sound Automata
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build their own sound machines and explore the interplay of motion and sound.

Screaming String Thing
Source Institutions
In this simple and fun activity, learners discover the relationship between vibration and sound by making a squeaky toy instrument out of simple household materials.

Get It Write
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how pens have been engineered and re-engineered over time. Learners work as a team to develop a working pen out of everyday items.