In science class, we are currently studying the chapter on engines, force, energy, etc. I'm always looking for something new to do because I like to learn and experience the things we read about, and the students learn more that way, too. We had studied steam engines, and I'd never made a steam engine. So I researched it, and we did.
Using JB WaterWeld, which I purchased online, we attached the top of a pen cap to the spout of a pop can. Then, using a sharp knife, I, not the students, poked a hole in the side of the can and attached the bottom of the pen to the can for a filling spout. (I was supposed to use one with a screw-on removeable cap, but I didn't use one of those, so we just used tape. Maybe next time.).
We used hot glue and wire to prop up the can and a moveable fan made out of cardboard, a thin wooden dowel, and the center of a toilet paper tube. Then we filled the can about 1/3 full using a funnel and the top spout. We put four tea light candles underneath the can and waited.
Although it did work and steam came out of the spout, it didn't have enough power to move the fan blades. We decided that the cardboard was too heavy, so we disassembled the first wheel and made a second one out of lighter paper. That one didn't spin either, but at least we had tried, and we did make a little steam engine that blew out steam.
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