Craft Stick Kazoo (Learn about Vibrations)
What You Need:
-2 Craftsticks
-1 large rubber band
-2 thin rubber bands
-1 straw
-Scissors
Directions:
1. Take the larger rubbber band and stretch it over one of the craft sticks from end to end.
2. Use scissors to cut two pieces (about 1 inch) from your straw.
3. Place one of the straw pieces UNDER the rubber band on the craft stick, about 1/2 inch from the edge.
4. Place the other straw piece ON TOP of the rubber band, also baout 1/2 inch from the edge.
5. Take the second craft stick and place it over the straws exactly on top of the first one. Pinch it tightly so the loose straw piece doesn't wiggle out.
6. Use the remaining rubber bands to faste it together. Tie one rubber band around both craft stick edges, behind the straw piece. You'll have to tie it around quite a few times so its nice and tight. Repeat with the other rubber band on the other edges of the craft sticks.
Make a Thaumatrope on a Straw (Learn about Persitence of Vision)
What You Need:
-Blank index cards
- Scissors
- Pencil and Marckers
- Tape
- Straws
Directions
1. Cut two identical circles.
2. Sraw to images which "go together". Ex. Goldfish in one of the circles and a fish bowl on the other.
3. Tape the two circles to the straw and spin the straw between your hands.
Make an Articulated Hand (Learn about Anatomy)
What You Need:
- craft foam
- paper straws
- sticky tape
- beads
- yarn
- scissors
- chopsticks
- pen
Directions:
1. Trace your hand on craft foam. and cut it out.
2. Cut paper straws into small pieces, and stick them on the hand and fingers to represent the bones and the tendon sheaths that are attached to them. (Leave gaps between each piece, as this will allow the fingers to bend later.)
3. Tie beads to five pieces of yarn. Thread each piece of yarn through the straws on the finger and thumb, into the corresponding straws in the hand.
4. Tie a further five beads to the other ends of the yarn.
5. Tape a chopstick to the palm to act as a handle.
How fast you can react? (Learn about Reaction Time)
What You Need:
-Friend
- Time sheet
Directions:
1. Ask your friend to hold out one arm.
2. Hold the time sheet so it hangs just above your friends hand. Make sure the bottom edge is between your friend s thumb and finger.
3. Drop the sheet and let your friend catch it as quickly as possible.
4. Look at the number nearest to where your friend caught the sheet. This is how many seconds passed before your friend caught it. Record the time on the back of the time sheet. Then repeat the test two more times.
5. Switch roles and test your own reaction time.
6 .Then test other people. Who has the fastest reaction time?
Make a Paper Flying Maching (Learn about Force and Motion)
What You Need:
- 1 regular plastic straw
- 3x5" index card (or cardstock cut to size)
- Scissors
- Tape
Directions:
1. Cut the index card into three strips that are 1" wide and 5" long (you might want an adult or someone older than you to help you with this).
2. Overlap the edges of two of the strips by about one inch, and tape them together. Now you have one long strip. Bring the two edges of the long strip together, overlap them, and tape them together to make a loop.
3. Make a smaller loop with the last index card strip by overlapping the edge and taping together.
4. Set the straw inside of the small loop, so the end of the straw sticks just outside of the end of the paper loop. Tape the straw to the inside of the small loop.
5. Tape the other end of the straw to the inside of the large paper loop. Make sure that the straw is set evenly inside of each loop, not to one side or the other, so your flying machine will be balanced. Also, be sure that the openings of the straw are not taped shut.
6. To fly your glider, hold it with your thumb and index finger, and toss it in the air at a slight upwards angle.