Popsicle stick bomb

So, you’re in trouble. It’s two hours into Christmas Winter Break and you’ve already been nagged twice by your sister, stepped on your dog, and had to take out the trash three, maybe four times. And, oh yeah, the Rose Monster® won’t let you forget about that M-sys/Fluids/ComSys/Reals/OChem test you just nuked.

In other words, you’re bored and need something to do. Something to take your mind off the infinite wisdom of your ever-crunk Stepdad Darrel, the perpetual bragging of your younger half-cousin, and the never-ending leak your cat seems to have sprung.

What you need, my friend is The Schultzenheimer Popsicle Stick Bomb® (licensed for use by The Flipside). This majestic device is a fascinating family-friendly demonstration of bending stress, tension, a little torsion, moments, spring potential energy, and, of course, fun! Simply grab up five popsicle sticks and you’re well on your way to a kinematical catastrophe! Stack these suckers and watch them all go at once! The possibilities are endless! Below are the instructions to make The Fun Times Blow™!

1) Stack three popsicle sticks.

2) Keeping the bottom popsicle stick in the center, move the middle stick to the left, and the top stick to the right.

3) Holding the apex of the three sticks firmly, take the fourth popsicle stick and weave it above the stick on the right, below the center stick, and above the left stick. Push this stick down (toward the apex) about half-way. Got a firm grip on the Apex? Make sure you keep it that way unless you want to put an eye out or something!

4) Continuing to hold the apex firmly, place the fifth and final Elastic Potential Energy Device™ at the top, reversing the weaving of the middle stick.

5) Find a hard surface, and it’s Bombs Away!