Liz Lee Heinecke - Star Wars Maker Lab: 20 Craft and Science Projects

Liz Lee Heinecke and Cole Horton

CONTENTS

BEFORE YOU START

JABBA SLIME GALACTIC PLANETS BUSY WORKER DROIDS

BRILLIANT BB UNITS INVISIBLE FORCE SPEEDY PODRACERS

SPACE ROCKETS GLOBE OF PEACE INTERSTELLAR INSTRUMENTS

LIGHTSABER DUEL DEATH STAR TRACTOR BEAM KYBER CRYSTALS

MUSTAFAR VOLCANO ANAKINS MECHNO-ARM GLIDING SPEEDER

EWOK CATAPULT R2-D2 HOLOPROJECTOR DEATH STAR SUPERLASER GLOSSARY

SUPER SPEEDER BIKE HOTH SNOW GLOBE TEMPLATES

BEFORE YOU START THE STAR WARS GALAXY IS FULL OF INCREDIBLE INVENTIONS, SUPER STARSHIPS, AND FANTASTIC MOMENTS. NOW YOU CAN CREATE SOME OF THESE FOR YOURSELF, AND LEARN ABOUT REAL-WORLD SCIENCE, TOO! The projects in this book range from easy to tricky. The quickest one can take less than an hour, while a few can take days. Once youve decided on your project, read through the step-by-step instructions carefully and make sure you have everything you need before you start. Remember, science is a process of trial and error. If something doesnt work as you expect the first time around, make an adjustment and try again! Like all great scientists, makers, and Jedi, be ready to channel your curious, creative, and can-do spirit. May the Force be with you.

SAFETY FIRST All projects in this book should be approached with care, so make sure you read these safety points first! Always wear eye protection when handling chemicals or creating chemical reactions, including acidic liquids like vinegar. Keep young children (under years of age), pets, and anyone not wearing eye protection away from the experimental area. Do not allow any chemicals to come into contact with your eyes or mouth. Do not use equipment that has not been recommended in the instructions. Do not eat or drink while creating a project. Be careful when using paint or food coloring as they can stain surfaces and clothing. Wash your hands and clean all equipment when you have finished your project. IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS The projects in this book may require adult help and supervision, depending on your childs age and ability. Always ensure that your child uses tools that are appropriate to their age, and offer help and supervision as necessary to keep them safe. The publisher cannot accept any liability for injury, loss, or damage to any property or user following suggestions in this book. ! If you see this symbol it means that you will need to ask an adult for help or supervision with the step. Take particular care when using sharp objects like scissors, craft knives, pins, strong glue, or cooking equipment.

BEFORE YOU START

HOW TO USE THE TEMPLATES For some of the more complicated projects, this book includes templates on pages to to help you achieve the perfect shapes for your projects. If you need to use a template, the instructions will tell you which page to find it on. When youre on that page, lay tracing paper onto the template and trace over its outline with a sharp pencil. Then turn the tracing paper over and place it on the material you wish to cut out. Trace over the shape on the back of the tracing paper with the pencil. When you lift the paper up, you will see the pencil marks have been transferred to your material. Now you can cut out the shape.

WHERE TO GET YOUR SUPPLIES Most of the supplies, ingredients, and equipment used in this book are easy-to-find household products. Everything else can be purchased online or at your local hardware, department, stationery, or grocery store. Please ask an adult before purchasing anything.

WHY NOT TRY? Many projects in this book include a Why not try? section. This will show you alternative models from the Star Wars galaxy that you can create or suggest different ways to decorate the models to make them extra special.

DIFFICULTY Easy LIGHTSABER DUEL FACE YOUR ENEMY IN A JEDI BATTLE The lightsaber is an energy sword with a glowing plasma blade used by the Jedi and some of their enemies. Crafting a lightsaber is a special trial that every Jedi apprentice must complete. Using a penlight and some water, you too can see what its like to wield a lightsaber. Tiny milk particles in the water reflect the penlights light.

IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY. Each lightsaber is as unique as its owner. However, they all share common elements, such as a handle, emitter, and power switch. They are powered by rare, colorful gems called kyber crystals, which bond with Force-attuned users. A lightsaber can cut through most materials and even deflect Force lightning.

Kylo Rens crossguard lightsaber

LIGHTSABER DUEL

WHAT YOU NEED

Scissors

Milk Jug and enough water to fill your container Penlight (one per lightsaber) Sticky tape Silver tape Colored cellophane

Clear container with flat sides

Colored cellophane gives color to the beam of light.

Firstly, personalize your penlight with silver tape. Every Jedi designs his or her own handle, so each one is unique. The ideal penlight for this experiment shines a narrow but strong beam. These lightsabers get their color from cellophane rather than kyber crystals. Tape some onto the sides of your tank. You could use two colorsblue for the light side and red for the dark side!

HOW IT WORKS LIGHT WAVES Light waves carry energy that our eyes detect as a spectrum of colors. The colors we see depend on which waves are reflected or absorbed. Grass appears green because most of the light waves that hit it are absorbed except for green ones, which are reflected back at our eyes. WHY MILK? Light waves from penlights are hard to see, until they hit a solid surface, or are reflected by particles. By adding milk to water, the tiny milk droplets bounce the light back into our eyes,making the beam visible. Light beam Cellophane Penlight Light waves bouncing off milk droplets Darth Sidiouss lightsaber Luke Skywalkers lightsaber

Anakin Skywalkers lightsaber

Mace Windus lightsaber

Milk droplets Darth Vaders lightsaber

START HERE

LIGHTSABER DUEL

Position the tank on a flat surface with space to move about at each end. Once its in the right spot, fill the tank with wateryou wont want to shift it once it is full! Next, add just a drop of milk to the water and stir gently until it disappears. Be sure to add just a tiny drop at a timeyou can always add more milk later if you need to.