Force and Motion

Whitney demonstrated the power of machines to guide and ease work. The screws, threads, levers and pulleys of this machine organize effort into power you can feel. Students assemble interchangeable parts and invent a personality for their machine.

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Mechanical Arm

Based on a design by British scientist Neil Downie, this is an exemplary model. It demonstrates the complex force of flexing muscle. Construct an arm that contracts and extends. consider Leonardo daVinci's study of anatomy and the robot mechanics it inspired. Domo arigato, Robot Armo!

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Catapult

Explore the ancient and challenging mechanics of catapults. Rubber bands power this model. Safe for people and places when used with the ping pong ball provided. Make Happy Birds and fling them with accuracy.

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Rubber Band Car

Students construct cars powered by rubber bands and measure their performance after 20 minutes of practice. Lively insights into the mechanics, measurement and math of motion. Great for a followup program on creative elaboration. New design now employs wheels of diameter 1/π.

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