Pocket Helicopter
Also known as the "Flying Dragonfly". Simple propeller on a shaft, all plastic. Rotate the shaft by placing between palms and sliding hands in opposite directions (right hand away from the body, left hand towards the body). Best done in an open area, away from others. Blade is about 20 cm across. For ages 6 and up, adult supervision recommended.
AERO.01   Single $1.50 each
AERO.02   1 dozen $15.95/doz.

Happy and Unhappy Balls
Totally unrelated to anything in the least bit offensive!!! Two virtually identical small (23 mm diameter) rubber balls. Same colour (black), same shape (spherical), same texture (firm yet flexible), but when dropped onto a hard surface, they will react very differently. One will have an elastic collision and bounce fairly high. The other will absorb nearly all the energy of the fall and will simply "thump" to the hard surface and stay there. Effective demonstration of collision types, as well as a "discrepant event", worthy of investigation. Scientific explanation included.
MISC.10   Sold in pairs only $7.95/pair

Ring & Ball Set
Brass with wood handles. A classic physics demonstration illustrating the expansion and contraction of metals with changes in temperature. The ball will easily pass through the ring when both are at the same temperature. If you then heat the ball so it expands slightly, it will no longer fit through the ring. Similarly, if you cool the ring significantly, it will not fit over the ball if the ball is at a warmer temperature. Heat transfer between touching metal parts makes the size difference last only a few seconds, but the effect can be demonstrated over and over.
MISC.31   $19.95 set

Bi-Metal Strip
Another classic physics demonstration, also known as a Compound Bar. This apparatus demonstrates that different metals will expand different amounts when heated. A strip of brass is riveted to a strip of iron, and provided with a wooden handle for comfortable holding. When heated, the bar will bend to one side, because the brass will expand more than the iron. Can be used over and over.
MISC.45   $9.95 each

Conductometer
This apparatus demonstrates the principle that different metals will conduct heat at different rates. Rods of different metals (steel, brass, aluminum, stainless steel and copper) are fastened to a central brass "nut", so they radiate outward like the spokes of a wheel. A wooden handle is fastened to a sixth "spoke" for the comfort of the operator. When the central brass "nut" is heated, the different metals will conduct the heat outward at different rates. Can be used over and over.
MISC.46   $19.95 each

Tornado Tube
A classic. You supply two empty plastic pop bottles. Fill one of them two-thirds full of water, screw on the Tornado Tube, then screw on the other bottle. Turn upside down so the bottle with the water is on top, and give it a slight circular motion. A fascinating vortex will be created, similar to a whirlpool or tornado. Add food colouring, tiny sequins or glitter for a very colourful and entertaining display.
MISC.18   $4.95 each

Pocket Telescope/Microscope
Amazing resolution for such a small unit. Handy 2 in 1 pocket tele-microscope, about the size of a fat drawing marker. Telescope 8X power, microscope 30X power. Popular gift, great for field trips!
TELE.01   $6.95 each

Newton’s Cradle
Also known as a "Balance Ball" , the classic executive toy. Illustrates Newton’s laws of motion. Five metal balls in a row are suspended by threads on a metal frame. Lift one or two from one end and let them fall against the remaining balls. The resulting chain reaction goes back & forth for several seconds.
MISC.42   Large (approx. 6" long)   $17.95 each

"Perpetual" Drinking Bird
Homer Simpson’s favorite replacement worker. A delicately balanced hollow glass bird is partially filled with a special fluid. Place a glass of water in front of the bird, dunk it’s head to get it started, and the changes in balance caused by evaporation make the entire bird’s body bob up & down, occasionally dipping the bird’s beak into the water to "recharge" it. Not quite perpetual, but goes on for hours or days, as long as it can dip it’s beak into the water in the glass.
MISC.33   $8.95 each

Stopwatch
Three digital functions: stopwatch, clock and alarm. Comes with neck cord. Has start/stop button and lap/reset button. Times in minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second. Clock shows hours, minutes, seconds (in 12-hour or 24-hour mode), day of the week and date. Battery operated LCD.  Ages 8 and up.
TIME.01   $12.95 each

"Magic Tree" Crystal Kit
Multi-coloured "blossoms" appear on this paper tree overnight. Assemble the 4 inch paper tree, place in tray provided and add the liquid also provided. Capillary action draws the liquid up the tree. As the liquid evaporates, tiny fragile crystals begin to appear on the tips of the branches. These crystals act as wicks and draw more liquid to their tips, where it evaporates and extends the crystals even more. Once grown, the crystals are extremely fragile. A very pretty display that means more once you know the science behind it.
MISC.30   $2.95 each

Rattleback
Also known as a "Double-Back Spinner", "Rattlerock" or "Celt", this little curiosity is a favorite of physics teachers.  It is an elliptical shaped piece of plastic that has some unusual properties.  Place the Rattleback on a smooth, hard, level surface with the curved side down and tap it gently to make it spin.  Due to its offset centre of gravity, it has a preferred direction of rotation which happens to be counter-clockwise.  If you purposely give it a spin in the clockwise direction, it will turn through a few revolutions, stop, rattle or rock up and down on its long axis and then automatically reverse itself and spin gently in the opposite direction.  Most people will say "So what?", but if you know a bit of physics, this will blow your mind.  You've given this object momentum in a particular direction, but due to its shape (and without any outside influence), it stops this momentum and converts it into movement in the opposite direction.  Spooky!  
MISC.51   $4.50 each

Glo Germ Powder
Glows under ultraviolet light.  Used for teaching good lab practice.  Also called "simulated germs", it is a non-toxic very fine powder of melamine copolymer resin (plastic).  Sprinkle a bit of the powder on the surface to be tested to simulate a chemical or infectious spill.  Test with UV light, then clean area using standard procedures.  Test again with UV light to see how well you did.   Also used by public health nurses to demonstrate the transmission of harmful bacteria by touch if sanitary procedures are not followed. 
MISC.63   3 grams Glow Germ Powder   $5.00 vial