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Electric Paddle Boat
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In this activity, learners build an electric two-paddle boat using paint paddles, plastic knives, and empty water bottles.
Sled Kite
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In this activity, learners build a sled kite that models a type of airfoil called a parawing.
Engineer an Octopus Suction Pad
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In this engineering design challenge, learners build an octopus-inspired suction pad that can grab an object and hold it tightly in the air.
Finding the Right Crater
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This quick demonstration (on page 11 of PDF) allows learners to understand why scientists think water ice could remain frozen in always-dark craters at the poles of the Moon.
Engineer an Aeolipile
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In this engineering design challenge, learners build an air-powered spinning machine.
Hot Air Balloon
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In this activity, learners build a hot air balloon using just a few sheets of tissue paper and a hair dryer.
Hand Spin Helicopter
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In this activity, learners build helicopters and launchers using wooden dowels and scrap paper. Use this activity to explore rotational motion and kinetic and potential energy.
As Straight as a Pole
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In this engineering activity (page 3 of PDF), young learners investigate how a pole can be made stable by “planting” its base in the ground or adding supports to the base.
Thirsty Candle
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In this activity, learners will explore the dynamics of air pressure by using a candle, a cup, and a dish of water.
Motor Bird
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In this activity, learners build a bird that flies in place with help from a motor, wire, and some straws.
Paddle Boat
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In this activity, learners build an old-fashioned paddle boat out of simple materials.
Glider
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In this activity, learners construct a paper glider to experiment with aerodynamic forces.
Speedboat
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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.
Lego Mania
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In this activity, learners will put together towers using building bricks, then take the tower apart and challenge themselves to use the same bricks used to build a bridge.
Rockets Away!
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In this activity, learners work in teams to construct and test fly drinking straw rockets. Learners explore how changing the rockets' fins affect flight distance.
Full of Hot Air: Hot Air Balloon Building
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In this activity, learners create a model of a hot air balloon using tissue paper and a hairdryer. Educators can use this activity to introduce learners to density and its role in why things float.
Handheld Water Bottle Rocket & Launcher
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In this activity, learners build handheld rockets and launchers out of PVC pipes and plastic bottles. Use this activity to demonstrate acceleration, air pressure, and Newton's Laws of Motion.
Nosedive
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This is a great activity for investigating the basics of lift and drag as they pertain to flight. Learners will discover how to avoid "taking a nosedive" by building their own paper airplane.
Go Fly a Kite
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In this hands-on activity, children create their own kites that can fly indoors. Learners are exposed to basic concepts of gravity and air resistance.
Which Parachute
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In this activity, learners will engineer three different parachutes to test how well each one works.