PocketLab science kits that you can 3D print
The PocketLab team has put together four PocketLab science kits that you can 3D print for free at home or in your classroom. These kits have been specifically engineered to work with your PocketLab to collect interesting data while having a whole lot of fun. If you're a teacher, these kits are great tools to use alongside your PocketLab to help teach NGSS aligned activities.
PocketLab HotRod
The PocketLab HotRod zooms through classic investigations on force and motion. It measures position, velocity, acceleration, rotation, force, magnetism, and more. The brains of the HotRod is a PocketLab Voyager, which means its a genius car. With a Voyager and a HotRod, you can teach nearly every Physical Science NGSS standard. The PocketLab HotRod can be purchased fully printed, in a bundle with a PocketLab Voyager if you don't want to 3D print your own.
What you need to 3D print your own PocketLab HotRod:
- 3D Printer File Downloads for PocketLab HotRod.
- Order hardware/non 3D printed parts from PocketLab store or other vendor.
- Print your HotRod and follow these assembly instructions.
Example PocketLab HotRod Activity: Design the most effective bumper
- Step 1: Test the two PocketLab HotRod bumpers included in the files to see which is better at reducing the force of a collision.
- Step 2: Use your observations and collected data to inform your design decisions about your own 3D printed bumper.
- Step 3: Print. Test. Redesign. Print. Test.
- Step 4: Draw conclusions about bumper design using concepts in Newtons Laws, momentum, impulse, and structural design.
PocketLab Double Pendulum
Sit back and watch the chaos unfold in unpredictable movement. Your PocketLab sits at the bottom as the "bob" of the lower arm and measures acceleration and angular velocity. While mesmerizing to watch, you'll collect complex data sets for analysis and interpretation practices.
What you need to 3D print your own PocketLab Double Pendulum:
- 3D Printer File Downloads for PocketLab Double Pendulum.
- Order non 3D printed parts/hardware from the PocketLab store or other vendor.
- Print your double pendulum and follow these assembly instructions
PocketLab Hot Wheels Track Encoder
Use 3D printed Hot Wheels track connectors to encode your Hot Wheels track with magnets. Then, strap your PocketLab to your Hot Wheels car and find its speed at different points using the magnetometer. This project will take inject some fun and excitement into NGSS practices like Analyzing and Interpreting Data and force and motion disciplinary core ideas. Our friends at Arbor Scientific recently did a write up in their CoolStuff Newsletter that used the PocketLab Hot Wheels set up. Check it out here.
What you need to 3D print your own PocketLab Hot Wheels Encoder:
- 3D Printer File Downloads for PocketLab Hot Wheels Track Encoder.
- Follow these instructions for set up and lesson plan ideas.
PocketLab Shake Table
Print springs to assemble a DIY shake table to model Earthquakes. As a teacher, your students can tackle NGSS Earth Science and engineering standards with this project. Your PocketLab's accelerometer acts as a seismometer to give you real time data on model Earthquakes. As an extension, engineer different building designs and test their strength during tremors.
What you need to 3D print your own PocketLab Shake Table:
- 3D Printer File Download for Shake Table Spring
- Parts list and assembly instructions for shake table
Adjustable Bob Pendulum (No PocketLab Required)
This 3D printed model demonstrates the physics of a simple pendulum that consists of a mass, m, hanging from an arm of length, L, and fixed at a pivot point, P. You can move the mass along the length of the arm to change the center of mass of the pendulum. If you displace the pendulum from equilibrium to an initial angle, θ, and release, the motion will be regular and repeat. This is an example of periodic motion also called simple harmonic motion. Click here for a more detailed write-up on this pendulum.
What you need to 3D print your own Adjustable Bob Pendulum
