DIY Science & Art Projects by Paper Crane Lab
Can't make it to our lab? Use these DIY experiments to explore STEM concepts at home with our free templates and video guides.
Want to make one of these cool flip-flop cards? We have the full instructions and free downloadable templates available on our YouTube channel. It's a fun paper engineering project for all ages.
Found this gem from 3 years ago! This is a pop-up diya we designed for a Diwali kit. If you're interested in learning how to make pop-up cards like this, let us know in the comments!
The instructions for our pop-up light-up cards are up on Instructables! Head to the link in our bio to find the step-by-step guide and make your own.
Take part in our first-ever STEM challenge! We're making a calm and serene alien folding card. Download the template, make your card, and share it with us for a chance to win a little gift from PCL.
Learn to make these lovely origami boxes with us! This workshop is perfect for beginners. We'll provide all the materials, or you can bring your own patterned paper to create beautiful, functional boxes.
Watch this paper snake spin! This simple experiment uses the heat from candles to create a convection current, demonstrating a fundamental physics concept in a magical way.
Did you know you can make beautiful mandala coasters using math tables? Check out our YouTube channel for a full tutorial on this and many other 'Make at Home' projects.
About this collection
Making science fun doesn't require expensive lab equipment. These projects use cardboard, paper, and household items to teach physics and engineering principles. Whether you are trying our math mandala coasters or building a spinning snake, these aren't just crafts—they are real, testable experiments you can build, break, and refine at your kitchen table.
Bring the Lab Home
At Paper Crane Lab, we believe that curiosity shouldn't be limited by geography or budget. We started as a resourceful, or 'jugaadu', gang, and that spirit lives in these tutorials. These projects are designed for anyone—kids, parents, or just curious adults—to play with core STEM concepts without needing a high-tech workshop.
Why We Design These Projects
We don't just put up craft ideas. Each project is a way to learn a scientific concept:
- Pop-up Cards: Teach structural engineering and paper mechanics.
- Spinning Snakes: Demonstrate heat convection and energy transfer.
- Math Mandala Coasters: Help visualize geometric patterns and multiplication tables.
- Cardboard Tamburas: Explore sound frequency and material resonance.
Getting Started
You don't need a soldering iron or a laser cutter to start thinking like an engineer. Most of our DIY guides rely on materials you likely have lying around: cardboard, rubber bands, paper, and glue. If you get stuck or want to level up your project, our doors in Indiranagar are always open. Come by for a weekend workshop if you want to swap the paper for 3D printers or serious coding tools.
Paper Crane Lab
Hello! I am Mathura, and I am part of the wild bunch at Paper Crane Lab. We are just a group of curious people in Indiranagar who think science should be messy, fun, and totally un-intimidating. Come hang out, learn something new, and don't worry if you break it—that is how we learn.
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