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Subject: Design & Tinkering

Science activity to create a toy that sounds like a swarm of buzzing bees
Bee Hummer

This simple toy sounds like a swarm of bees.

Science activity that experiments with rocket designs and a PVC launcher
Bottle Blast Off

Ready for liftoff? Launch rockets with your own launcher!

Science activity to build a rubber-band-powered rolling plastic water bottle
Bottle Racer

Build a rubber-band-powered rolling plastic water bottle.

Science activity to build a musical instrument that uses vibrations
Coffee-Can Cuíca

Build a cuíca—a musical instrument—and play with vibrations.

Science activity that uses a coil of wire, a paper cup and a magnet to create a radio speaker
Cup Speaker

Make a speaker that turns changing electric current into sound.

Science activity that demonstrates how differently shaped ears affect your hearing
Designer Ears

See how differently shaped ears affect your hearing.

Science activity that uses a pendulum and a marker to create beautiful designs
Drawing Board

A pendulum moving in two directions creates beautiful designs.

Science activity creating music with gravity
Falling Rhythm

Listen to the rhythm of falling weights.

Science activity that demonstrates action-reaction pairs described in Newton’s Third Law
Fan Cart

Build a low-friction cart and explore Newton’s third law.

Giant Sieve Sorter

Boundaries are the gift that keeps on sifting.

Science activity that demonstrates luminescence and flourescence
Glow Up

Different kinds of light can be used to study life.

Science and engineering activity to make a record player
Groovy Sounds

Make a record player with a pencil, pin, and paper.

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Attribution: Exploratorium Teacher Institute