Teachers’

Pet

Projects

WE ASKED TEACHERS TO
SHARE THEIR FAVORITE
CLASSROOM & SCIENCE FAIR
PROJECTS.
COMPILED BY LAURA COCHRANE

Candy Dispenser

Time Travel Helmet

Daniela Steinsapir, San Francisco, Calif. » Candy Dispenser A 7th grader made this electromechanical sculpture during electronic art class. It’s a candy dispenser made out of cans. You put the candy on top, it goes through a plastic tube, and by pushing a button, it activates the servomotor, dispensing the candy. » The Future of Mankind — Through a Helmet Two 7th graders made this during the space arts class. It’s a time travel helmet, made out of recycling materials and discarded electronics, and has a video screen inside. The viewer is invited to time travel to the past and the future by wearing the helmet. The video that plays narrates the students’ theories about space, technology, and the future.

Vickie Connally, Loving, N.M.
» Reflected Light Energy
My favorite science project is an analysis of energy
generated from reflected light. Students use solar
panels and microamp meters to measure moon-
light, comparing phases of the moon, cloudy
nights, etc. Power is generated! This leads to
great discussions about reflected light.
» Recycled Playground Equipment
One year we needed playground equipment at a

76 Make: Volume 20

Light Energy

middle school. The challenge was to build it from recycled materials. We got fantastic benches from old headboards, some cool stuff from large tires, and some neat seating from old tractor seats. » Cell Model from Trash Use clear plastic food containers or clear plastic bags for the cell membrane. Then chewed gum or other trashed items are molded to represent all the parts. science-ideas.com/3d-plant-cell-model

Photography by Daniela Steinsapir and Vickie Connally (right)

Rick Schertle, San Jose, Calif. » Ice Cream in a Bag Ice and salt in one zip-lock bag and cream mixture in another bag, mixed by tossing back and forth, is a classic treat for all ages! My colleague took his 8th graders over to the kindergarten class next door and they made the sweet treat together. makezine.com/go/ice_cream

Eric Muhs, Seattle, Wash. » Pinhole Cameras Any small box can be made light-tight, and a simple darkroom can be set up in a corner of the basement or a small bathroom. The creative possibilities are endless: long exposures, double exposures, panoramas, curved pictures. makezine.com/go/pinhole