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55 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP KIDS TWEEN Do it yourself Haveanaspiringengineerinthefamily?Thisprojectwillsurelyputthewindinhersails.Inthisactivity,providedbytheTech, the award-winning destination in San Jose where innovation and education converge, your kid makes a contraption — with sails that can capture the wind power of a fan — that can carry a load. Any materials will work, but encourage your child to be creative, whether that means using a milk carton as the body or a piece of fabric as a sail. Keep in mind that it may take some time to assemble the vehicle — just remember that trial and error is part of the fun. (Hint: If the vehicle is a bit unsteady, try adding some weight.) Wind-powered contraption PROJECT COURTESY OF THE TECH MUSEUM OF INNOVATION, SAN JOSE DOUGDURAN PROCESS First,gather your materials.Next,set up your testing area.Find a spot that has a smooth surface,and place a fan at one end of your track and a finish line at the other.Then build your vehicle.Test and retest until you have created a contraption that glides. MATERIALS The vehicle can be built with whatever items you have around the house. Here are some ideas. For the body of a vehicle: fry baskets, strawberry baskets, paper cups, pipette trays, to-go food containers. For a sail: cardstock, cardboard scraps, recycled paper, foam sheets. For wheels: cardboard tubes, CDs, bottle caps (with pre-drilled center holes), plastic lids, paper plates. To provide structural integrity for sails or for wheel axles: straws, cra sticks, chopsticks. For fasteners and fixers: masking tape, twist ties, string, rubber bands. For weight or balance: reclaimed scrap plastic parts.