Stomp Rockets, Catapults, and Kaleidoscopes: 30+ Amazing Science Projects You Can Build for Less than $1
gle project The toys are ideal for spark ing students interest in a concept area and can be used as stepping stones toward more learning Happy
INTRODUCTION ALL NATURAL THINGS SOLAR SYSTEMS volcanoes glac iers tornadoes camels live oak trees sea turtles algae cardiovascular systems silicon nuclei just work without any human effort On the other hand most of the gadgets that you use each day both high and low tech have been made to work by people When you cry out It doesn't work you should remember that not working is actually a gadget's default condition To make something work is exceptional it takes know how and ingenuity Ten thousand years ago every family knew more or less how to make every thing work that was necessary for their existence where to find the materials how to put them togeth er how to use the finished product People in many so called backward places in the world can still do this today But here in our advanced society where we're up to our ears in technology I challenge you to think of three things you depend on daily that you could create from scratch even given all the materi als set out in front of you We are clearly losing our touch This book will show you how to build more than 30 amazing science toys You will learn a lot as you
build them about science and about making things work You can work with friends or alone Adults are helpful to have around but don't let them take over your project You can build these toys in any order and don't feel like you have to follow these directions precisely If you do you'll end up with a fine working project but if you can see a better way to do it go for it The toys here are all open ended so you can keep on going and make more amazing stuff In fact many of these projects were developed from kids ideas If you come up with a brilliant idea in the process of build ing these projects send it to me I probably won't make you rich and famous but I ll pass your idea on to thousands of other kids who will then have a chance to improve it even more The toys here will cost you about 75¢ each If you can't squeeze that out of your parents you need to work on your technique Many of the materials you'll need you can get for free from a garbage can or recy cling bin or find lying around the house To get a few of the materials you may have to go to a specialty shop or order them from a catalog or over the Inter net Some sources are listed at the end of Appendix A Bringing These Projects into the Classroom You'll need some basic tools to construct these toys Definitely get your parents to help you gather these tools don't just help yourself to your mom's tool cabinet The most complex tool required in these projects is a hand drill If you have a thick piece of
wood or several pieces fastened together for a drill platform the projects can be done on any table with out damaging the surface Several of the projects should be done outside owing to noise or messiness Here's a list of common tools you may need for these projects Each project will have a list of any addi tional special tools you will need TOOLBOX Knife a Hot glue gun low temperature models a Side cutters work fine and are much safer a Needle nose Hot glue sticks plenty pliers a Scissors a Markers or paint Ruler Decorations of various kinds a File Masking tape Scraper Black tape a Hacksaw Duct tape a Wood saw a Hand drill with variable speed a Vise or C clamp At least these drill bits 15 64 inch Flat blade 19 64 inch h inch screwdriver Phillips screw A few nails to serve as tiny drill bits driver nail bits Hammer Dowels of 14 inches and 5 16inches are used in many projects and often inserted into holes If you make a hole 1 64of an inch smaller than the dowel then hammer the
