How does it work?

Project Discipline: STEM
​Ages: All ages
Difficulty level:​ Medium
Supplies: Use anything in your house!
If you choose to follow video instructions, you'll need: 2 paper towel rolls, 2 straws, disposable cup or bowl, spool, ribbon or string, tape, sturdy platform (box lid), scissors

Engineers are the people who design and build machines, systems, or structures.  They figure out how things can work together to complete a job.  We want you to do the same!  Here's a little bit about what we'd like you to design: 
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A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in (wind up) or let out (wind out) or otherwise adjust the tension of a rope or wire rope.  In its simplest form, it consists of a spool attached to a hand crank. Winches are the basis of machines like tow trucks, steam shovels, elevators and water wells (Thanks Wikipedia!)

Your challenge:

Design and build your own hand crank winch using the supplies in your house!  See how much weight you can lift in your bucket, snap a photo and share on the Alaska 4-H facebook post for this challenge.

Need a little help?  In the video below, Marla Lowder of Tanana District 4-H, shows you how she met this challenge, and walks you through one way to do this project. 

Tanana District 4-H'er Asher shows off his hand crank winch! This is a simple Crank Winch made out of paper towel rolls, camouflage duct tape, plastic straws and ribbon with a basket to hold the item in which you are winching up.