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Build Your Own Wind Turbine
Source Institutions
Learners construct an electricity-generating wind turbine out of a plastic bottle.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-801.gif?itok=Nn1wbkVT)
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?
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-785.gif?itok=oVx2aChU)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-322.png?itok=koOK-mvw)
Plugged in to CO2
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners investigate various appliances and electronics, discovering how much energy each uses and how much carbon dioxide (CO2) is released to produce that energy.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-277.jpg?itok=X_8_m8P1)
Electric Paddle Boat
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build an electric two-paddle boat using paint paddles, plastic knives, and empty water bottles.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-238.jpg?itok=N6N0hTDh)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-116.png?itok=inZL37To)
Robot Body Language
Source Institutions
In this robotics activity, learners find ways to express emotions and feelings using only body movements, not facial expressions.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-663.jpg?itok=heJAdwhR)
Cup Speaker
Source Institutions
Make your own speaker with a magnet, wire, and paper cup! If you have a radio with a headphone plug and an old pair of headphones, this is a great tinkering activity.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-650.gif?itok=icGlDqOX)
Gel Electrophoresis
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners simulate the process of DNA fingerprinting by using electricity to separate colored dyes.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-369.jpg?itok=7e0qe4bU)
Circuit Board
Source Institutions
Learners make a circuit board that has questions and answers. When the correct answer is chosen for a question, a circuit is completed and a light illuminates.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-513.png?itok=rnEZgK4e)
Build a Bubble Circuit
Source Institutions
In this engineering design challenge, learners make a bubble maze that allows bubbles to move through a series of “on” and “off” switches.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-977.jpg?itok=WWx8NGoL)
Electric Messages: Then and Now
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore electronic communication, the Morse Code system, and advances all the way through text messaging. Learners build a simple circuit, send messages to one another.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-153.jpg?itok=TVYxfKUz)
Bottle Cars
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore motion, energy, and electricity by constructing bottle cars that run on motors.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-713.jpg?itok=_doRC-Bm)
Short Circuit
Source Institutions
In this activity about electricity, learners explore what happens when you blow a fuse.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-570.gif?itok=0bFvmKdA)
Glow Up
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore chemiluminescence and fluorescence. Learners examine 3 different solutions in regular light, in the dark with added bleach solution, and under a black light.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-566.jpg?itok=CJ98kEl2)
Neural Network Signals
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners create an electrical circuit and investigate how some dissolved substances conduct electricity.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-231.jpg?itok=w0ZmBMV2)
Motor Bird
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a bird that flies in place with help from a motor, wire, and some straws.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-000-167.png?itok=uEuoi3Pq)
Clap Sensor: Build a Sound Sensor Using a Pico Cricket
Source Institutions
This activity requires a Pico Cricket (tiny computer). Learners work on designing and building a sound sensor out of household materials, like plastic wrap and cardboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-230.jpg?itok=lFvJ70aT)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-405.gif?itok=5V7gNcC_)
Fork in the Road
Source Institutions
In this activity about electricity, learners identify parallel and series circuits. First, learners examine and label diagrams of complete circuits.