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Carousel Pump
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In this activity, learners build a carousel toy that spins when pushed down.

Magnetic Spinner & Compass
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Learners use shop tools and various materials to construct a magnetic spinner and a compass.

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

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.

Marble Game
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In this activity, learners construct a simple game to test their hand-eye coordination and steadiness of hand.

Fused Plastic Wallet
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In this up-cycling activity, learners recycle plastic bags and repurpose them into useful wallets.

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.

Buzzing Bee
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In this activity, learners explore sound by constructing an instrument toy that buzzes when you swing it.

Seashell Journal
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In this activity, learners make homemade journals featuring seashell rubbings. First, learners transfer the texture of a seashell onto a piece of paper using a crayon.

Electromagnetic Dancer: Connect Her Up and Watch Her Dance!
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In this activity, learners use a nail and magnet wire to build an electromagnet, which controls the movements of a paper dancer.

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.

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

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

Bike Wheel Zoetrope
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In this activity (posted on April 18, 2011), learners follow the steps to construct a zoetrope, a device that produces an illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures, using a 16" bik

Geometry Construction: Polyhedral Playthings
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In this activity, learners create 3D geometric shapes using straws and pipe cleaners.

Floating Butterfly
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In this activity, learners create a cool floating animal using the science of magnetism. Learners discover what happens when a piece of magnetic metal enters a magnet's field.

Bobbing Eyeballs
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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.

Bouncing Yo-Yo
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In this activity, learners build unique yo-yos, which spin round and round without moving up and down.

Torsion Drum
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In this activity, learners build a musical drum using a cardboard tube, plastic wrap, and beads.