Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 22

All Wound Up
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a racecar using only a rubber band, spool, straw, and paper clip! This racer is a classic toy that zips across a flat surface.

Tinkering with Tops
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the history, design and motion of spinning tops. Learners work in teams of "engineers" to design and build their own tops out of everyday items.

Rubber Band Racer
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners construct speedy vehicles made out of paper plates and powered by twisted rubber bands.

Paddle Power
Source Institutions
In this design challenge, learners build a boat that paddles itself using a rubber band as its power source.

Give Me a Brake
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the concept of how brakes can stop or slow mechanical motion.

Water Fountain
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how a hydraulic pump works. Learners work in teams to design and build a unique water fountain that employs a hydraulic pump.

Sky Glider Challenge
Source Institutions
In this design challenge activity, learners use two helium-filled balloons to build a blimp that can travel in a straight path across the room.

Thrill Ride
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will build a roller coaster for a marble to run on using everyday household materials such as paper towel or toilet paper rolls, cups, boxes, books, buckets, chairs, etc.

Wind Works!
Source Institutions
Learners will build and experiment with their own windmills made from simple household materials.

Confetti Launcher
Source Institutions
Hooray! In this design challenge activity, learners invent a device that launches a spoonful of confetti into the air. Learners are encouraged to create the biggest cloud of confetti possible.

Paper Airplanes
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the properties of paper by constructing and modifying paper airplanes.

Homemade Rube Goldberg Machine
Source Institutions
In this fun and, at times, hilarious force and motion activity, learners will use household objects to build a crazy contraption and see how far they can get a tennis ball to move.

Spool Racer
Source Institutions
In this physics activity, challenge learners to make a rubber band-powered spool racer. Demonstrate principles of motion as well as potential and kinetic energy.

Rubber Band Car
Source Institutions
In this design challenge activity, learners build a car that can travel at least four feet using rubber band power and use the design process to debug problems.

Roller Coasters
Source Institutions
In this design challenge, learners will create their own roller coaster using household objects for the track and a marble or small ball as their cart.
Windmills
Source Institutions
In this physics activity (page 8-9 of the PDF), learners will explore wind energy. They will build their own windmill and see how energy from wind can be converted into a useable form.

Target Practice
Source Institutions
In this dynamic activity, learners build a catapult that launches projectiles, such as marshmallows.

Interactive Gumball Machine
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners review the history of gumball machines and explore potential and kinetic energy, while working in teams to build a gumball slide.

Can Car
Source Institutions
In this physics activity, challenge learners to make a race-car out of a coffee can and rubber band. Demonstrate motion, forces, kinetic and potential energy and friction.

Extreme Kicking Machine
Source Institutions
In this design challenge activity follow up to "Kicking Machine", learners add a hands-free feature to their Kicking Machine.