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Have you ever wanted a magical
hat?
Directions: (this activity takes 30 min.)
2) Use a wire stripper to take off about an inch of insulation from the ends of these wires. 3) Attach the short wire and a long wire to the two terminals of the hobby motor (see picture). If your motor already has wires attached to it, twist your wires around the ends of those wires. 4) If necessary, tape or glue these wires onto your motor to make sure they don't fall out. 5) Get a AA-battery pack and two AA-batteries. Insert the batteries into the battery pack. 6) Attach the free end of the short wire and either end of the unused long wire to the terminals of the battery pack - these terminals are usually two metal tabs or a black and red wire. 7) Wrap the free ends of both long wires around paper clips.
9) Glue down some aluminum foil to the middle of the other two index cards. 10) Attach your paper clips onto the index cards touching the aluminum foil.
12) Make sure the paper clips are still touching the aluminum foil. 13) Get two AA batteries and insert them into the AA battery pack. 14) Test your magic hat by pressing on both sides of your index cards. The motor should start up. If your motor doesn't start, check your connections. 15) Tape your motor into the top of your party hat with its tip pointing up. 16) Tape your battery pack and long wires into your hat. 17) Cut one inch off the top of a party hat (big enough to fit your motor). 18) Use a small dab of hot glue to attach one or two ribbons onto the tip of your motor (try not to get any glue in the motor). 19) Get a rubber band while you wait for the glue to harden (at least 2 min). 20) Use the rubber band to hold your index cards in place under your shirt. 21) Put your hat on your head and see if you can get the motor to move when you press your arm up against your side. Its Magic!! 22) If you magic hat isn't working check your connections again and make sure everything is hooked up properly. 23) Enjoy your very own magic hat! |
| The Bakken A Library and Museum of Electricity in Life 3537 Zenith Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55416-4623, USA Join our E-Mail List Contact Us Tele: 612-926-3878 Fax: 612-927-7265 |
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Museum Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 10 to 5 |
Materials:
1)
Cut off two pieces of wire about 3 feet long and one piece of
wire about 1 foot long.
8)
Get three index cards. Fold one
of the index cards in half then
cut out the middle.
11)
Staple the index cards together with the aluminum facing inward
and the index card with the hole placed in the middle.