Junk Drawer Engineering: 25 Construction Challenges That Don't Cost a Thing

Bobby Mercer

may 2017 · Chicago Review Press

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There's no need for expensive, high-tech materials to test your engineering skills—you probably have all you need in your home junk drawer. Each hands-on project in this book will challenge you to come up with a unique solution to a specific design problem. Construct a Pasta Bridge strong enough to support a heavy load, using only dry linguini and glue. Build a Marble Roller Coaster from recycled cardboard tubes, in which the marble "car" jumps a track to land safely at its final destination. Or design an Egg Catch device to safely capture a free-falling egg. Test yourself or use them for friendly competitions—who can come up with the best solution?

These 25 open-ended design challenges can be performed for just pennies . . . or less. Each project has a suggested materials list, step-by-step instructions with illustrations for one possible solution, and suggestions on how to adapt each challenge for different ages and skill levels. Educators and parents will find this title a handy resource to teach children problem-solving skills and applied physics, all while having a lot of fun.

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Bobby Mercer has been a high school physics teacher for over two decades. He is the author of Junk Drawer Physics, Junk Drawer Chemistry and The Flying Machine Book, and he lives with his family outside of Asheville, North Carolina.