Need help explaining the fundamentals of forces and motion to your students? Hands-on science demos to the rescue! We have a dynamic array of energy conversion products as well as an impressive collection of simple machines to demonstrate pushes and pulls… just to name a few of our many energy-related materials. Read on to hear what our customers are saying about our some of their favorite EI teaching tools.
If you have a favorite Educational Innovations product, we invite you to send us a comment below. We’d love to share your review with your fellow teachers and science lovers.
PhiTOP
Just what I was looking for! Saw this on YouTube but could not find it. Voila! Here they are and at a reasonable price. I had to go back to YouTube to see some different spinning techniques but found that using both thumbs works best for getting the top up to speed to spin without a wobble. Love it!
¨ —Mark Carter of Phoenix, AZ
Centripetal Spinner
Simply, for $3.95 you can’t get a better teaching tool that creates and holds kids’ interest. Plus, it’s just a lot of fun to play/teach/learn with! This isn’t a “one trick pony.” You can explore centripetal force (duh) along with other subjects, e.g. inertia, light, color and more. My suggestion is: purchase more than one!
¨ —Marty of San Francisco, CA
The Vortx
I knew this was going to be a hit since my kids always want to do the penny vortices at the mall. The kids in my daughter’s kindgergarten love this. They roll marbles, coins, etc. on it. It is a simple and neat way to observe physical forces on a beginner level.
¨ — Laurie of Austin, TX
Working Wood Catapult
This catapult is simple in concept and easy to assemble. I have used this unit to demonstrate the acceleration of bodies from a standstill and explain how the semi-circular motion transfers momentum in a tangential relationship to the thrower. It is also useful in showing the relationship between the force of the thrower and the mass of the thrown object are related—a specific mass results in a maximum throw distance. Setting up multiple catapults with class groups can be entertaining and edifying at the same time.
¨ — Warren Buckles of Madison, WI
Polymer Bead Demo
All of my students love doing this demo. They are not expecting it… and the room fills with gasps and laughter. Then, “Can we do it again?”
¨ — Tracy of Charleston, SC
Light Up Gyro Wheel
Very good to explain potential energy conversion!
¨ —Sian of Walnut Creek, CA
Piezo Popper
This is something that I give to every secondary ed science major that I mentor. It is easy for them to build and provides a lot of excitement in the classroom. We use Binaca breath spray and warm it in a hand for a few seconds. Works great!
¨ —Dan Swartling of Cookeville, TN
Magnetic Accelerator
Easy to set up and rugged (no strings to tangle). It can clearly demonstrate conservation of energy. And when that concept is beginning to sink in, just roll the magnetic sphere and astound your students with what looks like a serious exception.
¨ —Michael Thuot of Sandia Park, NM
Smashing Steel Spheres
I save these for the last demonstration of energy conversion because we always end up smashing various materials between the spheres to find out what can be burned and what requires too much energy. A great tool and simple demo of energy conversion.
¨ — Barry of Rockford, OH
Newton’s Kinetic Yoyo
I bought several of the most inexpensive physics toys for my students (senior physics students) and they loved them all.
¨ — Bonnie Yelverton of Fontana, CA
Putt Putt Steam Boat
Best steam engine demo EVER! I wasn’t really sure what to expect from such an affordable item. OMG! This thing is awesome! I can’t decide whether to call it a toy or a science demo because it’s both. Buy it, follow the instructions, and you will not be disappointed!
¨ — Karen of Seattle, WA
Mighty Seltzer Rockets
What a wonderful way to teach Newton’s Laws! It gets students involved, and I have never met a student that didn’t want to shoot off a rocket. This is an inexpensive way to get them totally involved and wanting more.
¨ — Margaret Flack of Jasper, IN
Rocket Balloons
These are fine for aiding the instruction of Newton’s third law of motion in sound and action. Gets students on their feet and creates a memorable way for them to remember action and reaction. Wear safety glasses, since some of these balloons may pop.
¨ — Michael Thuot of Sandia Park, NM
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