Sunday, 6 January 2013

Periscope

I have created a template for making a periscope out of cardboard as a craft activity in our Kids club. The mirrors were obtained from a Matra Glass & Plastics, in Forge St Blacktown (NSW Australia) and were 5.5cm x 8cm for about $1 each and came with a protective film. The template is mostly self-explanatory, and is designed to be printed onto A3 cardboard, making it easier to supply lots, one for each child. Of course the edges do not print.

Equipment:

  • A3 cardboard
  • Template (open document, pdf)Print the template onto A3 cardboard for each child.
  • A3 printer
  • 2 mirrors 5.5cm x 8cm each.
  • Glue
  • Sticky tape (optional)
  • Double sided tape(One roll per group, or sick it on the mirrors ahead of time)

Procedure:

  1. Print the template onto A3 cardboard.
  2. Cut along the solid lines.
  3. Fold along the long sides to make a rectangular tube shape and glue to hold the tube shape. Use tape if the glue is not holding.
  4. Fold the 45 degree flaps for the mirror at 45 degrees and glue the outside flaps to hold this down.
  5. Use double sided tape to hold the mirror onto these flaps.
  6. Remove the protective film from the mirrors.
  7. Fold the mirror support flaps in to add additional support to the mirror.

 References:

http://www.topspysecrets.com/how-to-build-a-periscope.html
Science club: http://www.webinnate.co.uk/science/week8.htm