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Variable Speed Fan With Snap Circuits, Kano Computer

In a previous How-To Guide I demonstrated how to blink a Snap Circuits LED with the Kano Computer...

IUPUI researchers use stem cells to identify cellular processes related to glaucoma

INDIANAPOLIS -- Using stem cells derived from human skin cells, researchers led by Jason Meyer...

Pi Day 2016 Project

For Pi Day 2016, I’ll demonstrate how to flash a Snap Circuits LED with the Kano Computer (my...

LIGO, Gravitational Waves, And Laser Interferometry

UPDATE: LIGO has detected gravitational waves. ...

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Steve SchulerRSS Feed of this column.

Twitter: @SteveSchuler20. You may try my hacks AT YOUR OWN RISK. Kids use adult supervision. There are infinitely many ways to injure persons and... Read More »

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My All-Time Favorite April Fool's Day Gag

My All-Time Favorite April Fool's Day Gag

Mar 19 2015 | comment(s)

My wife and I were in an airport newsstand. I was looking through the magazines to find something to read on the flight when I saw something that didn't make sense. Quite confused, I had to blink a few times to make sure I was seeing what I was seeing. My wife was a few yards away in the store looking at some knickknacks, so I had to say this loud enough for her to hear: "Tabby, I think I've accidentally stumbled into an alternate universe because Paris Hilton is on the cover of National Geographic:


Source

LaserOscope

LaserOscope

Mar 17 2015 | comment(s)

Build a laser oscilloscope using Lego, littleBits, Erector set, and the Kano Computer. In honor of The International Year of Light I’ll demonstrate how use the Kano computer to drive a littleBits motor with an optical coupler, or optocoupler. An optocoupler, according to Wikipedia, "is a component that transfers electrical signals between two isolated circuits by using light." The Kano Computer is one isolated circuit and the littleBits Light Sensor/Motor is the second isolated circuit.

Erector Set Stand Chip Clip Mount

Erector Set Stand Chip Clip Mount

Mar 12 2015 | comment(s)

In a previous blog post, I demonstrated how to build a magnetic optical mount for a laser using Erector set parts. Here's another method of attaching a chip clip to the Erector set stand.

Parts Needed

Erector set right angle bracket 3-hole (mine is a bit more than 90°)
Erector set nut
Computer case thumbscrew
Chip Clip

I used a knife to cut a slit in the rubber grip of the chip clip just wide enough for the Erector set angle bracket to fit tightly once inserted in the grip.

K’nex Test Tube Rack

K’nex Test Tube Rack

Mar 05 2015 | comment(s)


I often see K’nex sets at second-hand stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army so I decided to see if K’nex can be co-opted for science and used them to build a test tube rack.

The upright K’nex rods support the structure, can be raised and lowered if needed for taller test tubes, and they serve as test tube drying pegs. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/steveschuler20

DIY Titration Lab Ware

DIY Titration Lab Ware

Feb 24 2015 | comment(s)

You often see demonstrations of titration using an expensive glass burette, but you can build titration lab ware using a disposable serological pipette, a solder sucker bulb, and a ring stand or support stand. For this build I’m using the tripod stand from the Thames and Kosmos Chem C3000 chemistry set.

Titration is the process of determining the unknown concentration of a solution by adding a known amount of a solution with a known concentration.