Stomp Rockets, Catapults, and Kaleidoscopes: 30+ Amazing Science Projects You Can Build for Less than $1
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
dowel in it will fit nice and tightly This is also a good opportunity to practice your fractions 4 1 64 15 64 and 5 16 1 64 19 64 You'll also want a few boxes to store materials and tools in then when you go to work on future projects you’ll have all sorts of supplies ready at hand If possible you'll want to set up all your stuff in a corner with a table or workbench where you don't have to clean it up each time you stop working It's an adult secret I ll clue you in on right now real scientists and engineers and artists hardly ever clean up they just organize the mess in the direction of the next project You can quote me on that Finally remember SAFETY IS FIRST What kind of fun will you have if you rip a big gash in your finger or poke a hole in your eye Always be careful and never joke around when it comes to safety Building things is great fun Making things work and fixing things are not only satisfying but also can save you money and teach you all kinds of stuff in interesting ways You may not get much of a chance to do these sorts of things at school these days but you shouldn't be waiting for school to teach you what you want to know anyway Happy
HOLIDAY LIGHT CIRCUIT A9 volt battery will light these tiny bulbs if you hook them up right PARTS 2 film canisters or wood Weight nut or bolt blocks Baseboard 9 volt battery Battery snap or two small h paint paddle paper clips Craft stick File folders or stiff paper 38 inch wires thin with insulation 1 3 holiday lights in a row cut from a standard string of small holiday lights
