Pulley Crane
Pulley Crane https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Cardboard-Crane/ Days: 2 Mode: Individual or pairs Take-home: Working tabletop crane
Teaching & key ideas
Key concepts: Pulley, direction of force, stability, lever arm, load and counterweight.
Hook: Lift the same small load directly and then by pulling downward through a fixed pulley.
Test / evidence: Crane lifts a standard load at least 20 cm without tipping.
Variables to change: Base width; boom length; counterweight; pulley position.
Lesson flow
Lesson plan:
Day 1: build
Day 2: lift tests + improve
Video:
Build a Pulley Crane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_QnmzXnC-o
Safety / cleanup:
Secure test masses; cap axle ends; safety glasses during load testing.