Easy Hydraulic Machines - Engineering Projects for Kids

by LanceMakes

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Intro: Easy Hydraulic Machines - Engineering Projects for Kids

This project is easy to build, and it allows young engineers to get hands-on experience with the power and delight of a hydraulic-powered mechanism.

For easier facilitation, you can fill the syringes with air instead of water. An air pressure-powered systems are called pneumatics.

You can find the lesson plan, 1-page project sheet, and more project ideas at STEM-Inventions.com


STEP 1: Hydraulic Box

You can use either hydraulics or pneumatics for this project!

STEP 2: Hydraulic Drawbridge

The hydraulic bridge project was originally conceived by a student named Daniel H.D. Thanks Daniel!


STEP 3: Hydraulic Fortune Teller

The hydraulic fortune teller uses the same mechanics as the Judobot to achieve 3-dimensional movement, however this project is easier to build because it doesn't need to be thoroughly designed to battle. I like the idea of a fortune teller, but the face can be replaced with other things to create a variety of projects: a catapult arm, a serving basket, cannon.... be creative!


Difficulty: 5/5

Prep work: 4/5

Setup: 2/5

Cleanup: 2/5

45 Comments

sahmcolorado 5 years ago

Do you know where I could purchase just the syringe adapters? I have tons of syringes and tubing, so I'd prefer not to buy the set that you linked to. Thanks!

STEMerson3 3 years ago

I'm cutting up 1/2 inch dowel and having the kids drill a hole in them. They work a little better than the cubes with the hole drilled in them.

LanceMakes 5 years ago

Hello, sorry I don't know of any vendor that just sells the adapters. If I find one I'll be sure to link it here!

Haley Hughes 5 years ago

How does the hydraulic machine work??

juliastenbeck 5 years ago

What are the green boxes used here called and what material are they? Where can I find them?

josiedraeger 5 years ago

Hi -- I am a STEAM teacher. I have the syringes and tubing, but I am having trouble finding your syringe adapters without buying a whole set. Any suggestions?

VictoriaK53 5 years ago

Thank you so much for creating these lessons and providing such wonderful resources. It saves me so much time in program preparation for my job as a STEAM librarian.

RexProjex37 6 years ago

Thanks! This is gonna help me in my hydraulics proiect!

AdityaC60 7 years ago

How many cc is that syringe? Please reply as soon as possible!!!

LanceMakes 7 years ago

The syringes I use are 12ml, and filled to 10ml.

machari10 7 years ago

great for my hydraulic robotic arm project

dragon wind 7 years ago

we are doing this for a project too! long live projects!!!

#love of school

Dragon26011 8 years ago

I made this for my Physics project relating to Pressure and it came in handy! It was simple to make and yet demonstrates the topic in the most easiest way to understand. I took a wooden stick from my attic and sawed it to wooden blocks. Also, the Vinyl tubing didn't fit to the tip of the syringe, so I made a small slit at the end of it and the tube fit in! Thanks a bunch WYE_Lance!

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