Fifth-grade students can learn about vibrations and sound by creating a handmade guitar out of a shoebox, rubber bands and a paper towel tube. Tape the top onto the shoebox using duct tape. Cut a four-inch hole out of the bottom of the shoebox with scissors. Cut a two-inch hole out of one of the small sides, and insert the paper towel tube inside it. Tape around the area that the tube meets the box with duct tape. Cut open six rubber bands. Tape one end of each rubber band to the top of the paper towel tube, and the other end of each rubber band to the other small end of the shoebox using duct tape. Strum the rubber bands to hear the sound vibrate within the box.
Students can learn how to use simple mechanisms by creating a catapult out of basic materials. Place the end of a plastic spoon vertically against a block of wood that is two inches high. Slide the spoon so that it rests against the corner of the block. Tape it there with duct tape. Place a cotton ball into the cup of the spoon, gently pull back on the spoon and let go. The cotton ball will fly across the room.
Students can learn how water molecules will stick together by creating a water line using a piece of twine and a cup of water. Tape one end of a five-foot piece of twine to a cup of water, and stretch the other end of the twine diagonally to the floor. Tape the other end to the floor. Slowly pour the water out of the cup. The water will stream down the twine instead of falling directly to the floor. This is because the water molecules are sticking together as they fall.