Bonus Marine Biology, Oceanography, and Underwater Robots Projects!
Thanks so much for joining me for the teleclass! On this page you'll find the videos for the robots that we covered in class, plus a few extras. Enjoy!
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Laser Microscope
Did you know that you can use a laser to see tiny paramecia in pond water? We're going to build a simple laser microscope that will shine through a single drop of water and project shadows on a wall or ceiling for us to study.
Materials:
- red or green laser (watch video for laser tips)
- large paperclip
- rubber band
- pond water sample (or make your own from a cup of water with dead grass that's been sitting for a week on the windowsill)
Salty Eggs
Saltwater is more dense that regular water, and your body tissues contain water (among other things). Did you know that thinner people are more dense than heavier people? For example, championship swimmers will sink and have to work harder to stay afloat, but the couch potato next door will float more easily in the water.
Materials:
- glass
- water
- salt
- hard boiled egg
Fast Two Bottle Ferry
The ferryboat was one of the ways folks got from island to island. Usually ferries make quick, short trips from one spot to another, picking up cars, people, or packages and transporting them across the water. In Venice, you'll hear the ferry also referred to as the "water bus" or "water taxi". Ferries that travel longer distances usually transport cars and trucks.
If you live in a waterside city or group of small islands, then the ferry is probably in your daily routine, because they are much cheaper than building complicated bridges or underwater tunnels.
Some ferries don't have a "front" and "back", but are double-ended and completely reversible, which allows them to shuttle back and forth across short distances without turning around. You'll find these ferries in Australia, British Colombia, and Washington state.
There are many different types of ferries, including hovercraft, hydrofoils, and catamaran. Hydrofoils (shown in the image above) have special "wings" attached to the bottom of the boat that actually lift the boat out of the water when the speed increases. The special wing is designed to work in water and generate enough lift to move the massive boat out of the water so only a small part of the wing remains in the water to minimize friction (drag) force on the boat. With less friction, the boat can go even faster!
Materials:
- 2 water bottles
- 2 alligator clip leads
- 3V DC motor
- propeller
- AA battery case with AA batteries
- popsicle sticks
Two Versions of the Catamaran
Catamarans are boats with two or more hulls that are strapped together and move by either wind power (using sails) or engine power. They are one of the first boats humans ever floated in. Catamarans are used when speed and large payloads are needed: their interesting geometric design (their balance is based on geometry, not weight) allows them to glide through the water with lower friction and carry more than single-hulled boats.
We’re going to create two different versions of the catamaran, mainly depending on how many water bottles you have available. Put these in a swimming pool and watch them zoom!
Materials:
- 2-4 water bottles
- alligator clips
- 3V DC motor
- propeller
- AA battery case with AA batteries
- popsicle sticks
- hot glue gun