Pop Bottle Whirligig

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Learn about friction and kinetic energy with this cool spinning toy. The designer of this activity, an artist named Vollis Simpson, made his whirligig from old beer cans, but we can make ours out of plastic soda bottles. This activity has step-by-step photo instructions, along with links to let you make a virtual visit to Vollis's farm and sculpture park.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per student
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 11
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • 4 pop bottles
  • scissors
  • permanent markers
  • coat hanger
  • plyers
  • nail
  • candle

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Aerospace Engineering
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Rotation Motion

Informal Categories

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Outdoor Activity
  • Toys

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Science Museum of Minnesota, 1995

Funding Sources:

  • Unisys
  • Science Learning Network
  • National Science Foundation