Rubber Band Engineer: Build Slingshot Powered Rockets, Rubber Band Rifles, Unconventional Catapults, and More Guerrilla Gadgets from Household Hardware

by Lance Akiyama

Overview

You don't have to be a genius to create these ingenious contraptions, you just need rubber bands, glue, paperclips, and Rubber Band Engineer, of course.

Shooting far, flying high, and delivering way more exciting results than expected are the goals of the gadgets in Rubber Band Engineer. Discover unexpected ways to turn common materials into crafty contraptions that range from surprisingly simple to curiously complex. 

In vivid color photos, you'll be guided on how to create slingshot rockets, unique catapults, and even hydraulic-powered machines. Whether you build one or all 19 of these designs, you'll feel like an ingenious engineer when you're through. Best of all, you don't need to be an experienced tinkerer to make any of the projects! All you need are household tools and materials, such as paper clips, pencils, paint stirrers, and ice pop sticks.

Grab your glue gun, pull out your pliers, track down your tape and paper clips, and get started on the challenging, fun, and rewarding journey toward becoming a rubber band engineer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781631591044
Publisher:	Rockport Publishers
Publication date:	05/15/2016
Series:	Engineer Series
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Lance Akiyama is the author of four books in Rockport's Engineer series: Rubber Band Engineer; Duct Tape Engineer; Launchers, Lobbers, and Rockets Engineer; and The Zoom, Fly, Bolt, Blast STEAM Handbook. Lance is the Science Curriculum Manager for Galileo Learning (STEAM camps for Pre-K to 8th grade), for which he designs STEAM-based lessons and projects for K–8 students. He has been developing hands-on engineering projects for kids since 2011 and working in education since 2006. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Notes from a Rubber-Band Tinkerer
 
Chapter 1: Handheld Shooters
Many-Thing Shooter
PVC Slingshot Rifle
Crossbow
Bow and Arrow
Chapter 2: Mini Siege Engines
Pyramid Catapult
Enhanced Mousetrap Catapult
Floating Arm Trebuchet
Da Vinci Catapult
Chapter 3: Hydraulic and Pneumatic Power
Pneumatic Magic Box
Extending Grabber
Robot Arm
Hydraulic Fighting Robots
Chapter 4: Flight
Improvised Darts
Slingshot Rocket
Rubber Band Helicopter
Chapter 5: Other Gadgets & Contraptions

1. Paper Plane Launcher
2. Wire Loop Game
3. Propeller-Powered Car

 
Material Sources
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

★ 06/15/2016
Just how dangerous are rubber bands? Akiyama, a first-time author and science curriculum developer for Galileo Learning, gleefully presents this collection of rubber band-powered projects. Designs range from simple slingshots to catapults to machines fueled by hydraulics and pneumatics to flying machines. Supplies are low cost, including paint stirrers, pencils, glue guns, and minimal use of power tools—most easily obtained at a local hardware or big box store. Wonderfully illustrated, with clear and straightforward instructions, these projects provide great, mischievous fun that's very much in the vein of William Gurstelle's Defending Your Castle. VERDICT Students from middle to high school will be delighted, and the projects are an easy tie-in to STEM curriculum as well. Enjoyable and highly recommended.

Library Journal