Making a periscope can be a fun and educational project. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a simple periscope:
Materials you’ll need:
- Two small mirrors (preferably square or rectangular)
- A sturdy cardboard tube (such as a paper towel tube) or a cardboard box that you can chop up to accomodate the mirrors, (this is the method I have chosen)
- Craft knife or scissors
- Tape (duct tape or sellotape tape)
- Ruler
- Pencil
Instructions:
- Start by measuring and marking the center point on one end of the cardboard tube. Use a ruler to ensure accuracy.
- With a card tube… Using a craft knife or scissors, carefully cut out a small rectangular hole at the marked centre point. The hole should be slightly smaller than the size of the mirror; with a box construct the tube and then add on small boxes either end!
3. Take one mirror and place it diagonally, at a 45 degree angle, inside the tube, with one corner against the side of the tube and the other corner facing the cutout hole. Use tape to secure the mirror in place.
4. Repeat the previous step with the second mirror, placing it diagonally inside the tube on the opposite side. Make sure the mirrors are aligned so that they face each other.
5. Once the mirrors are securely positioned, tape the edges of the mirrors to the inside of the tube to hold them firmly in place. Ensure that the mirrors are at a 45-degree angle to the tube.
6. Decorate your periscope if desired by painting or covering it with colored paper.
Your periscope is now ready to use! To operate it, look into one end of the periscope while pointing the other end towards the desired target. The light will reflect off the first mirror, bounce off the second mirror, and reach your eyes, allowing you to see objects around corners or over obstacles.