Advanced DIY Science for Students?

Adam Wise asks: "I'm a high school senior planning a career in science, and I don't have any plans for the summer. I'd like to put these two facts together to entertaining and educational results of the do-it-yourself variety. Reading about the home made electron microscope got me thinking along the lines of a similar project. Are there any resources specifically geared towards DIY scientists beyond baking soda and vinegar volcanoes?"

Comments

Get This Book!!

[Bri3D]

Practical Projects for the Handy Man (Popular Mechanics (Chicago, Ill.: 1902).) This is a reprint of various DIY articles from Popular Mechanics from 1902 to 1913. It is available from Amazon or many bookstores. There is some REALLY good stuff in here. Make your own gas engine, toaster, motorcycle, ect. The only problem is that many of the parts you need are not available anymore, especially the chemicals which you were supposed to get from your local drugstore. But really, there are some amazingly clever machines illustrated here, and you could actually build many of them, if you can locate your local chemist, blacksmith, forge and machine shop. :^) Many practical lessons in Physics could be learned, especially if you don't blow your hands off in the process. I am not responsible for your death if you try some of the stuff in the book. There obviously was a different (and better) standard for liability back then. Just because they tell you HOW to make a hang glider out of local lumber, doesn't mean you SHOULD.