There are many versions of black box activities for the science classroom. The idea is to have the students manipulate a closed box with some objects inside. They can do any kind of experiment or manipulation to try to find out what is inside the box, but they cannot open it.
This box was made using laser cut 3 mm MDF board. Glue the sides of the box, remembering to place the objects inside before closing the box. You can place small wood or steel spheres, cubes or cylinders inside the box.
You can relate the observation and the gathering of evidences with parts of the scientific method. Each group of students will probably come up with different models of what is inside the box. The discussion of the evidence and the repetition of the experiments are another part of the way science makes and validates models.
The drawing for the laser cutter is in three colors. The red lines are for cutting the sides of the box. The blue question mark should be engraved. And the black circle should be set for cutting, but in a low setting, so it just marks the surface.
| Black_Box.ai |
| Black_Box.dxf |
