Things You'll Need:
- A straight edge (a ruler longer than 12 inches, or anything else that is long and very straight)
- Pencil
- Sharp craft knife (such as an X-acto knife)
- 12 inch by 12 inch piece of foam core (also called illustration board)
- Film cannister (or other small plastic cannister of similar size and shape)
- Caulk
- Drill
- 3/32-inch drill bit
- Large balloon
- Smooth surface such as floor or table
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Step 1
Use a straight edge and a pencil to make lines from corner to corner on the square of foam core, in order to find the center.
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Step 2
Place the film cannister right on the center "X" and trace around it with a pencil. Make sure the traced line is exactly at the edge of the cannister.
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Step 3
Use a sharp craft knife to cut out the circle you just traced.
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Step 4
Press the film cannister into the hole, bottom side down so that the open top is sticking up.
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Step 5
Run a bead of caulk around the crack where the cannister sticks out of the foam core. Let it dry the recommended length of time, according to the directions on the caulk.
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Step 6
Drill a 3/32-inch hole in the bottom of the film cannister.
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Step 7
Blow up the balloon, pinching it off well up the "stem," leaving yourself enough of the stem to be able to pull it over the end of the film cannister. Once the balloon is over the end of the cannister keep it pinched off until the hovercraft is placed on the floor or table and is ready to go. (NOTE: You might also want to try blowing the balloon up by blowing through the hole in the bottom of the cannister. Use whichever method works best for you.)
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Step 8
Put the hovercraft onto a smooth surface and let go of the balloon. The air from the balloon will be forced out the small hole in the bottom of the film cannister, causing the foam core to float.
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Step 9
Think of some simple observations or experiments you could do while the hovercraft is in operation. (Examples: What happens when the hovercraft runs into an object? Does it bounce off at an angle? How does this angle compare to the angle when it it collided with the object? What happens as the balloon shrinks? What happens if you place the hovercraft on carpet or a rough surface? What happens if the balloon tips to one side?)
