Science for Kids/pulleys and gears

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Expert: Dan Fink - 1/25/2005


Question
My daughter has to do a science fair project in the pulleys and gears category. She wants to build a clock. Any idea how to do this or know of a site to access. She is in grade 4. Thanks

Answer
I've seen some pretty interesting wooden and paper clocks....there is actually quite a community of folks that build them as a hobby. There are quite a few books on the subject out there, too.

I do some woodworking in my spare time, and can tell you that cutting out gears is pretty fine and time-consuming work. You could do it with a handheld coping saw, but a powered bench scrollsaw would make it go a bit faster---still a major project, though!

Here's a website that has free plans:
http://www.woodenclocks.co.uk/

Maybe a better idea might be a kit? Then she wouldn't have to cut all those gears, and could still explain the physics of it for the science fair:
http://www.clockplans.com/
http://www.wooden-gear-clocks.com/

Got these by Googling "build a wooden clock"

You can buy a book on making a paper clock -- and just have to cut the patterns right out of the book and glue them up. Search google for "build a paper clock" and you'll find it from various sources. That might be a good option too.

Good luck, and have fun!

DAN  

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Dan Fink

Expertise

Though my experience is mostly in the fields of electricity, magnetism, and physics, I have a broad science background. My career is in the field of alternative power sources -- solar, wind, water and battery power. But any questions about electricity, magnetism, energy conservation, power generation, electric motors, and even general physics are very welcome--especially from kids. They ask the best questions of all! I pride myself in answering science questions accurately, with ideas for SAFE, easy experiments that kids can perform by themselves--and that let them prove the answers to their own satisfaction. I think science should be fun, and available to everyone, regardless of age.

Experience

I have volunteered in our local public schools for 5 years. I currently make presentations at our schools about electricity and magnetism, with a focus on solar, wind, water and other alternative power sources. I try to demonstrate at our schools how easy it is to make electricity, with simple devices using spinning magnets and coils of wire--powered by wind, water, bicycles, gerbils...etc. And of course solar panels! I am the webmaster of Otherpower.com, an alternative energy website. I have lived 10 miles from the nearest power pole for 11 years--I make all my own electricity from scratch with sun, wind and water.

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Otherpower.com
Wondermagnet.com
Co author of the book "Homebrew Wind Power" ISBN 978-0-9819201-0-8
My articles appear regularly in such magazines as Home Power and Back Home
Education/Credentials
BA Technical Journalism


Education/Credentials
BA Technical Journalism

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