Idea Sheets

How will an earthquake, simulated by shaking, affect a "building" made of linked squares? How can the square "stories" be cross-braced to prevent the "walls" from collapsing? What dangers are there in building above a garage? Learn the answers to these questions and more by working with the Brace Yourself model.
Subjects: Physical Science, Earth/Space Science

Provide students with opportunities to create a basic circuit, build a portable version, and explore parallel and series circuits!
Subjects: Physical Science

How strong can a bridge be made using a limited set of materials?
Subjects: Physical Science

Model cars teach students about motion along inclined planes, friction, gravity, momentum, and potential vs. kinetic energy. The models do not need to be complex in design. These model cars consist of a simple chassis and a straw-based axle system (simple machine) that produces minimal friction and allows the cars to roll with little energy input, making them ideal learning tools for students of all ages.
Subjects: Physical Science

A design challenge involves teams of students working on a task with limited time and materials. In the process, students learn to brainstorm, to work toward a shared goal, to persist by learning and redesigning based on earlier attempts, and to take on the various team roles involved in accomplishing a task as a group.
Subjects: Physical Science

Students build a "vehicle" designed to prevent a dropped egg from breaking. In the process, they discover that combining simple materials with a little creative thinking and teamwork will reveal many ways to solve this intriguing challenge!
Subjects: Physical Science

How can a plastic glove, a straw, and a tube be combined to make a "musical" instrument? Build a Glove-a-Phone to discover one way to accomplish this feat. Once you learn the proper technique, your Glove-a-Phone can be heard a surprisingly long way off! How is the sound produced? Careful observation is needed to answer that question.
Subjects: Physical Science, Art

Create opposing magnetic fields using a coil of magnet wire and a ring magnet. Take the challenge to make the coil do continuing performances on its own! What can be changed to make the coil bounce higher or faster?
Subjects: Physical Science

Explore how a hovercraft can glide smoothly along by constructing this quick-to-assemble four-piece model. Once the hovercraft is built, test it on any smooth, flat surface.
Subjects: Physical Science