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Periscope

duration: 30 - 60 minutes

age: from 7 years

Look around corners with this simple periscope

Periscope

tools

  • Hobby knife
  • Cutting mat
  • Ruler
  • Marker

materials

  • Cardboard, at least 12 inch wide. The length is up to you.
  • 2 mirrors, 3 by 4 inches
  • tape
  • glue

downloads

step 1 - Start your drawing

  • Start by drawing 5 parallel lines on your cardboard, 3 inches apart. The length is up to you, that will determine how long your periscope will be

step 2 - Draw the ends

  • Use your protractor triangle to copy the ends from the photos. Be aware that the left and right end are not the same!

step 3 - Cut the cardboard

  • Cut out the outer lines on the cardboard using your hobby knife. Make sure to use a cutting mat to protect the table.

step 4 - Score and fold

  • Using the hobby knife partially cut the lines where you'll want to fold. This way you can fold the cardboard neatly.
  • Use tape to stick the carboard together as a long square tube.

step 5 - Add the mirrors

  • A more rigid mirror will work best for this project as it stays nice and flat. If your mirror is very flexible, maybe try glueing it to a flat sheet of wood before attaching it to the cardboard.
  • Mark the mirrors so you can fit them on the inside of the tube. Mark them on the non mirror side.
  • Extend the mark you made to a full line.
  • Use your hobby knife to score the mirrors back a few times. After that you should be able to snap it by hand.
  • Use glue, or the self-adhesive backing of the mirror to glue it to the long bits of cardboard at the end.
  • If your mirror has a protective foil layer, remove it now.

step 6 - Finish up

  • Use some more tape to fix the cardboard with the mirrors to the angled bit of cardboard.
  • Make sure the mirrors end up at 45 degrees.

step 7 - You're done!

  • Go test your periscope and see what is hidden on top of the cabinets at home.