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Pencil Drop
Source Institutions
In this demonstration, learners observe as a bottle is placed on a table with wooden hoop balanced on top and a pencil balanced on top of the hoop.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-277.jpg?itok=X_8_m8P1)
Electric Paddle Boat
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build an electric two-paddle boat using paint paddles, plastic knives, and empty water bottles.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-238.jpg?itok=N6N0hTDh)
Creepy Crawlers
Source Institutions
Trick your family and friends with this creepy crawler that moves up and down. In this activity, learners construct a circuit and motor device that will move a homemade spider in a spooky way.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-390.jpg?itok=Bsfoj7-K)
Build a Lever
Source Institutions
Learners build a lever and use it to lift a load. With the load on one end of the ruler, learners add coins to the effort cup at the other end until the load is lifted.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-634.jpg?itok=WFu1XcUP)
Exploring How Robots Move
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how pneumatics and hydraulics could be used to produce movement in a robotic arm.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-955.jpg?itok=Mtt7d2U-)
Under Pressure
Source Institutions
In this experiment, learners examine how pressure affects water flow. In small groups, learners work with water and a soda bottle, and then relate their findings to pressure in the deep ocean.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-003-110.jpg?itok=qgXovyrx)
Hanging Around
Learners investigate weight by building a spring scale. They observe and record how it responds to objects with different masses.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-225.jpg?itok=KofhoiWd)
Paddle Boat
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build an old-fashioned paddle boat out of simple materials.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-230.jpg?itok=lFvJ70aT)
Speedboat
Source Institutions
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-255.jpg?itok=95bH1-76)
Handheld Water Bottle Rocket & Launcher
Source Institutions
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-326.png?itok=QeLoIyY5)
Marble Ride
Source Institutions
In this activity, challenge learners to design a roller coaster ride for a marble using cardboard and other simple materials.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-254.jpg?itok=cMB4ZLLb)
Wind Tube
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore moving air and the physics of lift and drag by constructing homemade wind tunnels.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-000-265.jpg?itok=VcJf9jmE)
A Slime By Any Other Name
Source Institutions
This fun video explains how to make a batch of oobleck (or slime) and why this special substance is known as a "non-Newtonian" fluid. Watch as Mr.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-842.png?itok=l1y3hNKb)
Pepper Scatter
Source Institutions
In this quick activity, learners break the tension that happens when water develops a "skin." Learners use water, pepper and some soap to discover the wonders of surface tension—the force that attract
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-221.jpg?itok=crjtQ1Gw)
Stomp Rocket
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build rockets and shoot them into the air by stomping on the plastic bottle launchers.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-909.gif?itok=UvSB9CLm)
High Rise
Source Institutions
In this design challenge activity, learners build a tower that can support a tennis ball at least 18 inches off the ground while withstanding the wind from a fan.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-004-258.jpg?itok=20y6QFSI)
PVC Water Squirter
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a water squirter using a PVC pipe, dowel, and foam. This activity is great for the summer time and introduces learners to forces and water pressure.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-888.jpg?itok=ebQmLGE7)
The Squeeze is On
Source Institutions
Each group of learners uses everyday materials, such as paper, toothpicks, and tape to design and construct a structure intended to support the weight of a cinder block for 30 seconds.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-001-535.png?itok=iDa78nw1)
Shrinking Cups
Source Institutions
This is a quick activity (on page 2 of the PDF under Gecko Feet Activity) about the forces of gravity and surface tension and how their behavior is influenced by size.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100/public/resource_images/smile-000-000-002-871.jpg?itok=HrqxX34z)
Sliding and Stuttering
Source Institutions
Learners use a spring scale to drag an object such as a ceramic coffee cup along a table top or the floor.