Teach kids about how waves of energy spread from a source causing air to vibrate, a phenomenon commonly known as sound. Make a drum using coffee cans or oatmeal boxes, rubber bands, construction paper and other materials. The coffee can or oatmeal box is the drum's shell, which is fitted with a piece of construction paper cut to size and glued or taped around the can or box. To make the activity even more fun, have the kids decorate the paper with drawings or stickers. The lid is the drum's head. The kids can bang the drum all day with their hands or a pair of unsharpened pencils.
Teach kids about the power of electricity by getting them to build their own light bulb. You'll need a small jar, a cork top that covers the top of the jar, a 1-inch nail, copper wire, a 6-volt battery and thin iron wire. Cut the copper wire into two equal lengths about 1-1/2 feet long, and peel off about an inch or the ends of the plastic coating, revealing the copper wire. Use the nail to puncture two holes into the cork. Push about 2 inches of the copper wire through these holes and shape the unexposed ends of the wires into hooks. Make a filament by twisting a few strands of the iron wire together. Place the filament on the ends of the hooks. Place the cork on top of the jar so the filament is hanging in the center of the jar. Carefully wrap both ends of the exposed copper wire to the battery (wear gloves and safety glasses as you do this).
Investigate the science of launch and trajectory by helping children build a simple rocket. Make a launcher for the rocket by using 2-by-4 blocks, a protractor, a saw and a wooden ruler. Cut the 2-by-4 wooden blocks to different angles you'll use in the launch: 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees and 75 degrees. Rockets can be easily built using a straw, stapler, rubber bands, index cards and scissors. Insert about 1/2-inch of a rubber band into one end of the straw. Staple the rubber band to the end of the straw. Make fins for your rockets with the index card by cutting two 1-inch-by-2- inch rectangles. Place the fins on your rocket by cutting a 1-inch slit on each side of the end of the straw that doesn't have the rubber band stapled onto it. Fit the fins in the slits so they sit back to back and staple the fins to the straw. Bend the fins up and down to separate them. Set up your launch pad by marking lines with strings and stakes at 10, 15 and 20 feet. Have two people ready to help hold the launch pad and rocket. Set the 30 degree block on a flat surface, and then set the wooden ruler so it lies at an angle from the surface to the top of the block. Loop the rubber band around the top end of the ruler; pull back on the tail of the rocket and release. Have the children measure the launch with a tape measure and record their results. Repeat the launch sequence using the 45 degree, 60 degree and 75 degree angle launch blocks.
Architects in training will love the idea of inventing their own skyscraper. Use everyday materials, like cardboard, heavy-weight paper stock, straws, craft sticks and a tennis ball, and let children explore the architectural world. Have them sketch their design then begin building by building walls with straws (glue them vertically to a piece of cardboard); placing a piece of paper across the straws for the "floor;" gluing craft sticks horizontally between the straws and then cutting a piece of newspaper for a "wall," which will be glued in between the straws and over the craft sticks. After the children finish their building, place a tennis ball on top to test the strength of their creation.