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Matraca
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In this activity, learners create a traditional Mexican noisemaker (a matraca) using cardboard, craft sticks, and a wooden dowel.
Zig Zag Bopper
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In this activity, learners build a machine made of craft sticks to multiply the levering motion of their hands and create a device that bends and extends.
Sled Kite
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In this activity, learners build a sled kite that models a type of airfoil called a parawing.
Stereoscope
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In this activity, learners construct a device that allows them to view 2-D images in 3-D.
NEWspaper: Make Your Own Paper
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Learners make their own paper using old newspaper. Learners can make their paper colorful by adding construction paper.
Magnetic Marble Run
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Learners explore magnetism and motion as they build a simple marble run. Learners test different arrangements of plastic and cardboard tubes, bottles, and cups on a magnetic board.
Build a Bubble Circuit
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In this engineering design challenge, learners make a bubble maze that allows bubbles to move through a series of “on” and “off” switches.
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.
Lever Cowboy
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In this activity, learners build a figure that moves and "comes to life" when they pull its string.
Engineer an Aeolipile
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In this engineering design challenge, learners build an air-powered spinning machine.
Mini Zoetrope
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In this activity (posted on March 27, 2011), learners follow the steps to construct a mini zoetrope, a device that produces an illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures.
Supporting Structures
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In this activity about living things and gravity (page 5 of PDF), learners design and build an exoskeleton or an endoskeleton for an animal of their own invention.
That's the Way the Ball Bounces: Level 1
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In this activity, learners prepare four polymer elastomers and then compare their physical properties, such as texture, color, size, and bounce height.
Art Cars
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In this activity, learners design miniature cars. Learners can create a telephone car, soccer car, merry-go-round car, or any other theme car they can imagine.
Straws and Pins
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In this activity, learners build bridges and cantilevers in a series of "building out" challenges with straws and pins.
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.
Wind Tube
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In this activity, learners explore moving air and the physics of lift and drag by constructing homemade wind tunnels.
Pop! Rocket Launcher
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In this activity, learners construct a simple air pressure launcher for paper rockets.
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.