Ice Cream
To make ice cream, we need to lower the temperature of a mixture of sugar and cream until it freezes. But that temperature is colder than ice. How did we make ice cream in the days before the invention of refrigeration? Adding salt to a mixture of water and ice lowers the temperature of the dynamic equilibrium between liquid brine (salt water) and solid brine.
See the ice cream page or download the ice cream instructions (84 KB .pdf file).

Electric Generator (NOW READY!)
We've just recently completed our first generator design (of several future designs), and are preparing the directions for assembly, but the first draft is available here. This generator is constructed from simple parts and generates a sufficient voltage to light a small bulb or light-emitting diode. It generates alternating current but its output can be converted to direct current. See the generator working in this rough cut Quick Time video (5.7 MB).  Quick Time videos may be streamed with the free version of RealPlayer or with the Quick TIme plug in.
The material cost for the generator does not quite meet our $2 criteria for a Noon Science project but it will be only a little more expensive than this. We may offer a pile-o'-parts to build this project.

Lasers and Jello (SORRY, NOT READY YET)
Clear, unflavored gelatin makes a great device for demonstrating basic principles of light propagation. The beam of light from a conventional laser pointer is directed into slabs of the gelatin, and the path taken by the beam is made readily visible as it scatters off of the gelatin molecules. The gelatin can be cut into the shape of various optical devices (prisms, lenses, cubes) and used to demonstrate reflection, refraction, scattering and guided-wave behavior.
Download the jello-laser instructions (1.6 MB .pdf file).