Engineer It! at home

The Scoop

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Background Knowledge

Can you build a tool to pick up a ping pong ball using only one hand?

Suggested Materials:

  • Straws or pipe cleaners (4)
  • Popsicle sticks (2)
  • 1 piece of construction paper or cardstock
  • Tape (20 cm)
  • Scissors
  • Ping pong ball or cotton ball

STEM Concepts: You’ll need to figure out a way to hold a sphere (a ball shape) in place so that it doesn’t roll off of your tool. Which materials are most useful?

Extensions: Can you create a tool with moving parts that lifts the ping pong ball? What else can your tool carry?

THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS

Define the Challenge: Build a tool that can pick up a ping pong ball with one hand, without touching it directly.

Plan Your Design: With the materials you have, what would you like to try? What sort of tool would be helpful?

Create a Prototype: A prototype is like a first try – see if you can build what you imagined.

Test Your Creation: Could you pick up the ball with your tool using only one hand? Did it roll away, or fall off/out of your creation?

Improve Your Design: What other materials could you try? What shapes work well to grip the ping pong ball?

Interested in taking it further? Try making a claw with joints – you can do some research on articulated hand STEM challenges for inspiration!