This project is ideal for younger aged elementary school students. Students construct a telescope that is similar in shape and size to the ones used on ships. Required materials include an empty paper towel or wrapping paper tube, construction paper, colored plastic wrap, a rubber band and scotch tape. Allow students to decorate the tubes however they desire, then cover one end of the empty paper towel tube with colored plastic the wrap. The plastic wrap acts as a colored lens. Look through the other end and you have a colored telescope lens.
This telescope activity requires a large amount of empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls, so it is best done in groups. Join five empty toilet paper rolls together with tape, then wrap the tubes with wrapping paper or construction paper. This will be the telescope. Next, make legs for the telescope stand by combining three more toilet paper rolls. Make three legs and decorate. Securely attach the three legs to the center of the telescope with tape, then cut the bottom of the legs at an angle so they can stand up. Now that the telescope is complete, make different caps to add to the end of the telescope so students can view different scenes. Using construction paper, cardboard or toilet paper rolls that have been cut length-wise, cut circles that are big enough to cover the end of the telescope. Glue images to the caps or decorate them with different scenes. Tape one cap at time to the end of the telescope and view the different images.
This telescope project requires two empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls, one of which must be a little smaller than the other. Cut them so they are both the same length. Wrap each empty roll with wrapping paper or construction paper, then poke a small hole about 1/2 inch from the top of each cardboard roll. Slide a metal paper fastener through each hole. Secure a piece of string to the paper fastener that is on the smaller cardboard roll. Next, put the smaller roll into the larger one until it hits the paper fastener. Wrap the string around the paper fastener on the larger roll. The string should be long enough that the small roll slides but does not fall out of the larger roll. look through the other end of the telescope and slide the smaller roll out.
The daytime telescope is an activity designed for younger aged elementary school students. Roll a piece of black construction paper and secure it with tape. This is the telescope. Cover one end with a piece of black cardboard. Make sure there are no gaps and that no light is getting through. Allow students to decorate the telescopes however they desire. Next, prick different size holes into the cardboard with a pin or toothpick. Point the telescope towards light and the holes will resemble stars.