What it is: Science Toy Maker is a teacher-created website with fantastic instructions and ideas for science toys and projects. These are mysterious, kinetic, noisy, do-it-yourself science projects that spur scientific investigation. The science toys and projects are inexpensive (seriously so cheap that anyone can make them!) and don’t require special skills, tools, materials, or work space. Each toy or project has a “more about” page that includes explanations, historical context, related activities, and high-quality links for more research. Each toy/project also has a clear step-by-step video directions or text instructions with helpful pictures. This is a GREAT resource for the classroom, for students interested in science and for parents.
How to integrate Science Toy Maker into the classroom: Science Toy Maker is a fantastic place to visit for fun science projects and inspiration. These simple toys/projects demonstrate powerful science concepts and can be used as an introduction to a new concept or an illustration of a concept. They are easy enough to follow for kids to do them independently making this a great stop for a center activity.
Do you have students who just can’t get enough science? Send them to Science Toy Maker to continue that passion inside and outside of school. Parents will appreciate the resource to keep their kids learning and students will enjoy the continued exploration and creating.
I love sites like this one, it may not be the most visually appealing site, but the content and ideas behind it are wonderful. Why not have your students create their own science experiment site? Throughout the year, students can record science experiments with photos or videos and add information and research they have gathered. This can be added to a class wiki for reference later in the year and to share with other students.
Tips: The most developed projects and toys are at the top of the site with those that are still a work in progress toward the bottom.
Please leave a comment and share how you are using Science Toy Maker your classroom!
