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In this design challenge, learners will create wind-powered contraptions to transport a load, such as a cupcake or another small object, and test to see if they work.

In this activity, learners discover that some things only stand up while they are spinning.

Learners trace, cut out and fly a boomerang, outdoors or in a large indoor space.

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

This simple construction activity teaches the importance of architectural structure. Learners build and test designs for a paper "doghouse" strong enough to hold the weight of a jumbo dog biscuit.

The goal of this activity is to design, build and test a house or toy for an animal.

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.

Learn about friction and kinetic energy with this cool spinning toy.

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.

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.

In this activity, learners use simple materials and basic tools to construct a special toy to explore pendulums. As the head of the toy bobs one way, the eyeballs bob the other way.

In this activity, learners will create an optical illusion top. Learners will explore color mixing, physics and design through this activity.

In this activity, learners make bridges using an oil-based modeling clay (plasticene). The instructions include discussion questions for both before and after bridge building.

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.

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.

In this activity, learners are challenged to design and construct a trophy for prize-winning sports equipment.

In this activity, learners construct three optical illusion toys to examine how our brains play tricks on what we see.

In this physics activity, learners build a toy with a figure that spins around like a gymnast on the high bar.

In this activity, learners explore electronics and motion by making a Scribbling Machine, a motorized contraption that moves in unusual ways and leaves a mark to trace its path.

In this activity, learners will use a variety of household and/or natural objects to design a sculpture that balances from a single point.