This invention uses the principles of force and motion on household objects. Laundry needs to be moved from one basket to another. With the help of a spring and a lever, the laundry launcher does just that. Have students attach two 10-inch sections of a 2-by-4 together at the ends with a hinge. Mount the bottom section of 2-by-4 onto a piece of plywood that is 12 inches long and about 5 inches wide. Hook two bungee cords under the plywood and then to the end of the top piece of 2-by-4. When the bungee cord it stretched back and released it works as a catapult for the laundry.
This invention lets you practice batting even without having a friend return your ball. Tie the end of a fishing line that is attached to a reel to one of the holes in a whiffle ball. Mount the fishing reel onto the side of a wooden post that has been anchored in a bucket of concrete. Make sure the post is the right height for your swing, and put the ball on top of the post to hit it. Once you hit the ball, crank the fishing reel and bring your ball back for another hit.
Cleaning slippers save motion and time by not having to bend down to use a mop. They also test force by how well they clean when different amounts of force are applied. Simply attach large sponges to the bottom of a pair of slippers with a strong, waterproof adhesive such as Super Glue. Put the slippers on and dip them into a bucket filled with warm, soapy water. Wash the floor by sliding around with the wet slippers on.
This invention saves motion and uses small bits of force to dispense cotton balls one at a time. Using a small, empty tissue box, cut four small holes in the four corners of the bottom of the box. Poke hole in a piece of cardboard that is just a little smaller than the bottom of the tissue box and slip a rubber band through the hole. Anchor with a toothpick. Poke another hole in the center of the bottom of the box and thread the other end of the rubber band through the hole. Secure with another toothpick. Stretch the rubber band until the piece of cardboard is near the tissue dispenser hole at the top of the box and fill the box with cotton balls. Turn the box over and set it on a smooth surface. Now you can dispense one cotton ball at a time.