The basics of positive and negative force can be difficult to understand without hands on experience. That’s why playing with magnets is not only fun, but also educational! An extremely enjoyable and slightly addictive way to do this is by creating a magnet trampoline. This isn’t quite like a large scale trampoline, but rather similar to this project on Instructables. After crafting this “trampoline” you can slap the magnets together, bounce them, and see all of the different magnetic variations you can create. Here is what you will need to get started: Materials
  • 12-15 Ring Magnets
  • Wood Dowel (Match to size of ring magnet hole)
  • 2x4 Wood block
Tools
  • Drill
  1. Make a Stick
Find a dowel that fits into your magnets. The proper diameter for the stick will allow it to fit snuggly inside the magnet holes, but also allow room for them to slide up and down. Once you’ve selected your dowel, cut it to about 8-12 inches in length.
  1. Place Your Dowel
First, find a drill bit that is the same size as your dowel. Then, drill a hole about halfway into a block of wood. Using a drill press can help you keep the drill positioned as vertically as possible, but in lieu of that, just drill carefully. Twist your dowel in so that it fits snugly inside.
  1. Trampoline Time!
Add your ring magnets to the dowel. Reverse the orientation of the magnetic poles each time. You’ll want at least three magnets, bit can add as many as you would like! Each of them should repel those around it to keep them suspended in a spring-like state. Feel free to reorganize the magnets and mix up their poles to see how they react!