Engineering at Home · Paint with a Pendulum

Ages 7 - 12 · Check in on our YouTube channel once a week for a new video featuring an engineering activity you can do with common objects and materials at home! All activities will begin with specific materials and instructions, but with your creativity you can experiment and make each activity your own. - - PAINT WITH A PENDULUM! For today's project we're building a pendulum out of simple materials you can find around the house. A pendulum is a weight suspended on a string or rod from a high point. When moved from its center and dropped, it will swing back and forth in what is called periodic motion. Periodic motion is a regular and repeating motion. Pendulums have been used in older clocks to move the hour & minute hands forward in a regular & repeating way. STEP ONE · Gather Your Materials - Some paper - 2 cardboard boxes of about the same height - Empty paper towel or napkin roll - Paint (washable and non-toxic are recommended) - Water - Paper or foam cups (one for your pendulum, the others for paint) - Scissors - Pencil - Tape - String or twine - Old sheet or cloth to keep your work area protected! PRO TIPS! 1. Do this project outside or in an easily cleaned area. 2. Use washable, non-toxic paint if you have it! STEP 1.5 - If you’re working on this project inside, ask your parent or guardian for help finding an old sheet to put down to protect your work area! STEP TWO - Punch 1 hole in the bottom, and 2 holes into the opposite sides of your cup. STEP THREE - Tie your string through the 2 holes in the sides of your cup. Double knot it! STEP FOUR - Place the cardboard roll through the loop of your string so your cup hangs. STEP FIVE - Place the cardboard boxes about 9 inches apart. Place the cardboard roll on top and secure the roll to the boxes with tape. STEP SIX - Thin out your paint with some water. Add water and mix until you have a thin & runny consistency. STEP SEVEN - Place a piece of paper under your pendulum. STEP EIGHT - Add paint to your hanging cup and make the pendulum swing to paint your paper! Then, it's up to you! Get creative and try making the paint cup move in different ways to make different designs with your paint. - - Spark Central is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that ignites the creativity, innovation, and imagination necessary for people to forge the path to their best future. We break down barriers to creativity like cost, confidence, and access by offering transformative programs, access to innovative technology, and a welcoming creative community for people of all economic backgrounds. Visit Spark-Central.org for more information on who we are and other programs we offer. - - Music courtesy of YouTube's Audio Library - Splashing Around by The Green Orbs - After the Soft Rains by South London HiFi Special thanks to Elsa for filming this week's video!