SPARKmakers LLC

A Harbor for Wondrous Ideas | A Thinkering Portable Lab

Tag: Physics

  • Check out what SPARKmakers did at MERCY’S STEAM Program Spring 2016!

    Check out what SPARKmakers did at MERCY’S STEAM Program Spring 2016!

    General Topics: Architecture, Circuits, Design, Electronics, Engineering. Geometry, Physics Grade Level: 6-8   Over the course of 12 weeks (from April 6th through June 22nd), SPARKmakers led a “thinkering” workshop titled Designing Playful Structures, Simple Machines, and Electronic Gadgets at Mercy Neighborhood Ministry of Philadelphia and in partnership with the Internship Program from William Penn Charter School.…

  • Motorized Car!

    Motorized Car!

    General Topics: Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Simple Machines, Electric Energy, Circuits, Electronics, Basic Robotics Grade Level: 6-8 In this activity, we made battery powered remote controlled cars. Process: During the first session, we explained the concepts behind circuitry and how we were applying it, and started assembling the H-bridge circuit we would use to control the car. This required an extended…

  • Making a Marble Ramp!

    Making a Marble Ramp!

    General Topics: Physics, Engineering, Simple Machines, Kinetic Energy, Architecture, Design, Geometry Grade Level: 6-8 In this activity we built marble ramps. This exercise teaches students how to plan a design and how to build it, and how gravity, acceleration and momentum affect objects. This is an exercise designed around creativity and problem solving. Process: The students are given…

  • Making a Geodesic Dome!

    Making a Geodesic Dome!

    General Topics: Geometry, Architecture, Physics Grade Level: 6-8   In this activity we explored the process of building a geodesic dome with straws by: a) observing a picture, rather than by following a set of instructions; b) working with the other students in their groups; and c) observing the other groups, ideas were bounced back and forth which…