{"title":"Intermediate","description":"\u003cp\u003eMore steps, more testing.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"crankie-contraptions","title":"Crankie Contraption","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners build a hand-turned cardboard theater and illustrate a story that scrolls across its screen like a movie. \u003cstrong\u003eCrankies\u003c\/strong\u003e come from a long tradition of scrolling picture shows, and this Spark brings \u003cstrong\u003estorytelling\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eillustration\u003c\/strong\u003e, and engineering together in one build every learner keeps.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners fold the frame, attach a paper scroll to two straws, and practice turning both ends toward the center. Then they plan a \u003cstrong\u003esequence\u003c\/strong\u003e on a story worksheet, such as a seed growing into a flower or a tale with a beginning, middle, and end. They draw it on the scroll and perform it for classmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners illustrate their story panel by panel across the scroll.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish language arts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners plan a story in scenes and explain how each panel builds the whole.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne ready-to-build kit for one learner to make and keep. Younger learners benefit from the parallel play of a caregiver or educator with their own pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades 1 through 8. Plan for 45 to 60 minutes in a classroom, or 20 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/crankie-contraptions\"\u003eCrankie Contraptions educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46414835384558,"sku":"G2 CRAN 001","price":8.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/spark-crankies-example-2603.jpg?v=1776279641"},{"product_id":"flying-machine","title":"Flying Machine","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners build a rubber-band-powered flyer, draw and cut their own \u003cstrong\u003esymmetrical\u003c\/strong\u003e wings, and launch it again and again to see how each design flies. It blends art, \u003cstrong\u003ephysics\u003c\/strong\u003e, and measurement into a test-and-improve challenge that rewards persistence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners first fly the machine without wings to learn the two-step Lift-Off launch. Then they draw, cut, and attach symmetrical wings from the design sheet and test how each change affects distance, direction, and flight time. Winding the \u003cstrong\u003epropeller\u003c\/strong\u003e stores \u003cstrong\u003eelastic potential energy\u003c\/strong\u003e in the rubber band, and the launch turns it into \u003cstrong\u003ekinetic energy\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners draw and cut symmetrical wing designs and change them between flights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish language arts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners read an energy diagram and explain in their own words why winding makes it fly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMath.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners measure flight distance and time across several wing designs and compare them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners see stored energy become motion and test the forces on a wing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne ready-to-build kit for one learner to make and keep. Younger learners benefit from the parallel play of a caregiver or educator with their own pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades 1 through 8. 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Each project is part machine and part story, built from four real \u003cstrong\u003emechanical linkages\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners start by joining two bars with a pivot. Then they build each of four linkages: \u003cstrong\u003ereverse motion\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ebell crank\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eparallel motion\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003escissor\u003c\/strong\u003e. Next they plan a creature or machine on a design sheet, test the idea in paper, and build a final version that hides the linkage inside a character or story. Extensions connect several linkages into one larger machine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners design a character and a story that the movement brings to life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish language arts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners explain the chain of cause and effect inside a linkage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners explore levers, pivots, and how a mechanism changes the direction of motion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne ready-to-build kit for one learner to make and keep. Younger learners benefit from the parallel play of a caregiver or educator with their own pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades K through 8. Plan for 30 to 45 minutes in a classroom, or 15 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/linkages\"\u003eLinkages educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46414739996910,"sku":"G3 LINK 001","price":8.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/linkages1.jpg?v=1758042323"},{"product_id":"mazes","title":"Mazes","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners design a ramp path so a ball zigs, zags, and zooms into a hoop, then connect their maze to a partner's to build one long run. 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Plan for 30 to 45 minutes in a classroom, or 15 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/mazes\"\u003eMazes educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Single Learner Pack","offer_id":46413538787566,"sku":"G2 MAZE 001","price":8.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/spark-mazes-example-2603.jpg?v=1776291613"},{"product_id":"strawbot","title":"Strawbot","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners build a straw robot with a motor and an \u003cstrong\u003eoff-center weight\u003c\/strong\u003e and watch it shake and skitter across the table. Then they turn it into a \u003cstrong\u003eStraw Creature\u003c\/strong\u003e with eyes, horns, and a personality of its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners test a simple \u003cstrong\u003ecircuit\u003c\/strong\u003e first, then build a straw frame and attach the motor and battery. An \u003cstrong\u003eunbalanced\u003c\/strong\u003e foam weight on the motor makes the frame vibrate and move. From there they reshape the frame, change leg angles, and move the weight to change how it moves. The bag has everything, including the battery.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners give their bot a look and personality as a Straw Creature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners build a circuit and test balanced and unbalanced forces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne ready-to-build kit for one learner to make and keep. Younger learners benefit from the parallel play of a caregiver or educator with their own pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades 2 through 8. 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They invent the \u003cstrong\u003echaracters\u003c\/strong\u003e, art, and \u003cstrong\u003estory\u003c\/strong\u003e, inspired by automata in collections like the Exploratorium and Baltimore's American Visionary Art Museum.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners fold a cardboard frame, add a guide tube and axles, and install a \u003cstrong\u003ecam\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003efollower\u003c\/strong\u003e so turning the axle spins the scene. Then they brainstorm a story, \u003cstrong\u003eprototype\u003c\/strong\u003e a scene with paper and tape, and cover the frame with art. Advanced learners can add up-and-down or side-to-side motion. Plan for 45 to 60 minutes or two sessions. It is not designed for an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners create a scene and characters that tell a story as they move.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish language arts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners explain how turning the cam makes the follower move.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners explore rotational motion with cams and followers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne ready-to-build kit for one learner to make and keep. 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There are no batteries, no wiring, and no single right design, and learners can lock their inventions together into one giant rolling machine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe basic build is practice. Learners put the motor in its holder, add straw axles and wheels, lock the wheels with \u003cstrong\u003ewedges\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ecollars\u003c\/strong\u003e, and test-drive. Then they take it apart and design something new from any combination of parts. Every vehicle should look different from the example, and failed attempts are part of the process.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners invent and test their own vehicle designs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMath.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners measure travel distance with different wheel sizes and graph the results.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners connect stored energy, force, and motion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne ready-to-build kit for one learner to make and keep. Younger learners benefit from the parallel play of a caregiver or educator with their own pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades 2 through 8. Plan for 30 to 45 minutes in a classroom, or 15 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/wind-up-vehicles\"\u003eWind-Up Vehicles educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46419906953454,"sku":"G4 WUPV 001","price":8.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/allCars2.jpg?v=1758042572"},{"product_id":"screen-machines","title":"Screen Machines","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners build a cardboard screen with wooden scroll handles, write and \u003cstrong\u003eillustrate\u003c\/strong\u003e a story on a paper strip, and crank it to play like a tiny movie. \u003cstrong\u003eNarrative writing\u003c\/strong\u003e and engineering share one build, and the direction the story scrolls becomes part of the story.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners fold the frame, cut the printed sheet into four scroll strips, and plan a story on the design worksheet. They draw the \u003cstrong\u003esequence\u003c\/strong\u003e on a strip, thread it through the wooden handles, and set the screen on its fold-out stand. You supply only scissors and drawing materials. Extensions include stories one learner starts and another finishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners illustrate their story frame by frame.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish language arts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners plan a narrative with a character, a setting, and a first, next, and last.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne ready-to-build kit for one learner to make and keep. Younger learners benefit from the parallel play of a caregiver or educator with their own pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades 1 through 8. Plan for 45 to 60 minutes in a classroom, or 20 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/screen-machines\"\u003eScreen Machines educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48006457524462,"sku":"G4 SCRN 001","price":8.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/Untitleddesign_1.png?v=1781116305"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/collections\/intermediate.oembed","provider":"FutureMakers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}