⁣⁣Lesson Plan: How to Make a DIY Spiky Gallium Fidget Spinner: A Unique and Hypnotizing Metal Toy for Stress Relief

⁣⁣Lesson Plan: How to Make a DIY Spiky Gallium Fidget Spinner: A Unique and Hypnotizing Metal Toy for Stress Relief

Grade Level: 6-8

Subject: Science/Engineering

Objective: Students will learn how to create their own spiky fidget spinner using gallium, exploring the properties of this unique metal and engaging in hands-on engineering.

Materials Needed:
- Gallium (available online or at specialty stores)
- Fidget spinner mold (can be purchased or 3D printed)
- Mixing container and stirrer
- Heat source (hot plate or stove)
- Safety gloves and goggles
- Spiky mold insert (can be purchased or created using silicone or other mold-making materials)
- Sandpaper or emery cloth (optional)
- Spin test materials (e.g., pencils, pens, small bearings)

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes):
- Engage students by discussing fidget spinners and their popularity as stress-relieving toys.
- Introduce the concept of gallium, explaining its unique properties as a low-melting-point metal.
- Explain that the goal of the lesson is to create a custom spiky fidget spinner using gallium.

2. Safety Precautions (5 minutes):
- Emphasize the importance of safety when working with gallium, including wearing gloves and goggles.
- Instruct students to follow all safety guidelines and handle the materials responsibly.

3. Gallium Preparation (10 minutes):
- Show students the gallium and explain its characteristics, such as its low melting point and ability to solidify quickly.
- Demonstrate how to safely melt the gallium using a heat source, following the instructions provided with the material.
- Discuss the importance of proper temperature control to avoid burns or other accidents.

4. Mold Preparation (10 minutes):
- Show students the fidget spinner mold and explain its purpose in creating a custom fidget spinner.
- Insert the spiky mold insert into the fidget spinner mold.
- Instruct students to carefully pour the molten gallium into the mold, filling it completely.
- Allow the gallium to solidify and cool, following the instructions provided with the material.

5. Removal and Finishing (10 minutes):
- Once the gallium has solidified, instruct students on how to safely remove the fidget spinner from the mold.
- Optional: Use sandpaper or emery cloth to smooth any rough edges or imperfections on the spinner's surface.

6. Spin Test and Reflection (15 minutes):
- Provide students with various materials to use as spin testers, such as pencils, pens, or small bearings.
- Instruct them to test their DIY spiky gallium fidget spinners and observe how well they spin.
- Encourage students to reflect on the engineering process, discussing any challenges they faced and how they overcame them.

7. Clean-up and Discussion (10 minutes):
- Instruct students to properly clean up their workspaces, disposing of any waste materials responsibly.
- Engage students in a discussion about the properties of gallium and its role in creating the fidget spinner.
- Encourage them to share their thoughts on the DIY process and the overall experience.

Common Core Labels Correlations:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3: Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.EE.B.8: Write an inequality of the form x > c or x < c to represent a constraint or condition in a real-world or mathematical problem.

Make a Spiky Gallium Fidget Spinner. Using Gallium liquid metal and a plasticine mold I cast a home made spiky fidget spinner toy. See more Gallium here: https://youtu.be/T1s0yts5bgk?l....ist=PLQ_T2NppE0PJbBp Gallium and Fidget Spinners here - Amazon Associates Affiliate Links: Gallium USA - http://amzn.to/2pcs6vVGallium UK - http://amzn.to/2pczIhWFidget Spinners USA - https://goo.gl/wDDB1WFidget Spinners UK - https://goo.gl/CbbtwPBearings USA - https://goo.gl/zQp9LYBearings UK - https://goo.gl/Lw4pEmGallium melts at about 30°C which is approx 86°F. It leaves a grey residue on your hands which washes off with warm soapy water.Contribute Subtitles Here: http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_video?ref=share&v=KhXgtNx9BWsLatest Videos - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfUg_vLV-bI&list=PLQ_T2NppE0PL_MgE6MlzDhfokjsILzj7bFun Science Projects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z50jEi1igNQ&list=PLQ_T2NppE0PIHhn2xEZGg0Dggq7uMbtMoMaking SLIME at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ1WmeKir78&t=4s&list=PLQ_T2NppE0PJBzfgoRfW1ITnazHRFXpz1&index=1Food and Cooking Hacks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbHeddAnrZs&list=PLQ_T2NppE0PJvJeFaoIBp4P0ns8NudGQBAmazing Life Hacks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz6rjbw0ZA0&list=PLQ_T2NppE0PKRAqkjpgtVRff46vr1iHaCHow To Make Fun Things - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ki9Kta8g14&list=PLQ_T2NppE0PI1soHO1bZmTJOGTynkRYHDSubscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/subscr....iption_center?add_us Look Busy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/