Related Standards:

Simple Machines: Clothespin Button Racers

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Materials:
❏ 2 bread ties
❏ 1 clothespin
❏ colored tape
❏ 4 buttons, of the same size
❏ school glue
❏ 1 drinking straw

Instructions:
1. Cut two, one inch, pieces from the straw.
2. Thread the bread ties through the straws, and secure a button on each side, either looping the bread
tie through the back hook, or the holes, depending on the type of buttons you have.
3. Clip one of the straw axles in the front of the clothespin. You can glue it in place, but that isn't
necessary.
4. Slide the other straw axle into the back of the clothespin, up against the spring.
5. Secure it in place with a piece of tape.
6. If enough materials are available make a second one to race.
Source: http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2010/12/clothespin-button-racer.html

What’s the Science Behind It?

The wheel and axle is considered one of the 6 simple machines. The wheel and axle consists of a round disk, known as a wheel, with a
rod through the centre of it, known as the axle. The wheel and axle both rotate at the same rate and using physics they help things
move. Wheels reduce friction. Instead of simply sliding over the ground, the wheels dig in and rotate, turning around sturdy rods called
axles.
Related Standards:
K-2-ETS1 K-PS2-2
Simple Machines: Catapult
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3-5-ETS1 3-PS2-1
MS-ETS1 MS-PS2-1 Materials:
HS-ETS1 ❏ 6 popsicle sticks
❏ 1 plastic spoon
❏ 3 rubber bands
Instructions:
Try It! 1. Stack 5 of your popsicle sticks on top of each other.
2. Take one of your rubber bands, and tie it around one of the ends of your popsicle stick stack.
What happens if you change 3. Now that your stack is half assembled, take your 6th popsicle stick and slide it in between the
the size and weight of the last two popsicle sticks of your stack perpendicularly so that it makes it a “t” shape.
load? 4. Tie your second rubber band around the opposite end of the popsicle stick stack. (Be sure that
both rubber bands are tied tightly around both ends of the stack.)
5. Take your plastic spoon and place it on the very top of the entire stack facing the same direction
as the 6th popsicle stick you added.
6. Using your last rubber band, tie the handle end of the plastic spoon to the top part of the 6th
popsicle stick making a “v” shape with the 6th popsicle stick and the plastic spoon.
7. Put a small object into the scoop side of the spoon, pinch, and release the load. Try different
objects for best results.

What’s the science behind it?

Catapults behaves as a lever. It involves moving a load, a steel ball or aluminium foil roll, around a fulcrum or a pivot. The pivoting action is provided by the
point where the spoon and popsicle sticks are tied with the last rubber band. The force required for the triggering action is provided by your hand pulling back
on the spoon. Catapults also apply the principle of conservation of energy. Potential energy gets stored in the rubber bands every time they are stretched. Even
the flexing and bending of the wooden levers cause the catapult to gain potential energy. When the spoon is released, that potential energy is converted into
kinetic energy (motion).