Learn how to make a cardboard projector, using just your phone and a few other household items! Presented by NYSCI Explainer, Marta. Adult supervision is recommended for trying this DIY project at home.
Script
Have you ever felt like your devices just weren’t good enough to make the most of your movie viewing experience? I have!
Hi, I’m Marta.. and I’m an Explainer at the New York Hall of Science.
Part of my job involves designing and making some pretty cool things. So I thought, while I’m at home - is there a creative way I can project these visuals onto a bigger display?
So I did some research - and as it turns out - there actually is!
Today I’m going to show you what I’ve learned - by making a DIY projector!
The evolution of projectors has improved image quality - and also helped them become more compact.
But we don’t need to spend a lot of money on a fancy projector - we can make one of our own! Let’s get started.
Although this DIY projector isn’t very compact, the upside is that you can use your Smartphone to bypass all the intricate optical and mechanical elements!
Here is what you’ll need:
A Shoebox
Smartphone
Magnifying glass
Board (you can use foam or cardboard)
Box cutter (and adult supervision!)
Heavy duty glue
Double-sided padded tape or velcro
Ruler
Marker
A white sheet or a clean white surface
Steps:
Start by removing the lid of the box, but keep it closeby since you’ll be needing it later.
Undo the inner flaps of the box and Apply glue to them to make the structure more secure. Let the glue dry for about 20 minutes.
Next grab your magnifying lens. You may need a hacksaw or equipment to cut off the handle. - don’t forget to ask for parental supervision!. I was lucky to find a magnifying glass with a detachable handle
Once your box dries, stand it up with the cover on it and place the lens from the magnifying glass in the center on top of the box. Use a marker to trace the shape. Then remove the cover and trace the remainder of the lens on to the peice of box that was covered by the lid. Then cut into the outlines with the box cutter.
Ones you cut out the outline of the magnifying glass, position the lens inside of the box and secure it in place using some heavy duty glue. You could also use a hot glue gun rather than a bottles glue like I am using. Make sure you don't get any glue on the lens as it may mess with clarity of the projection!
Next you’ll need a phone stand. Measure the width and the height of your box with your ruler so it fits the enclosure and that the phone lines up to the lens. You are going to glue two pieces of the board perpendicular to each other.
Once my glue dried I further secured the shape of the phone stand with some masking tape, I also made the base shorter so that it had more room to move inside the box
Now that you have your structure completed. Make sure your phone screen is locked so it doesn’t automatically rotate the image and that your brightness is up. Then use double-sided tape or velcro to secure your phone on to the stand upside down.
Before we try this out, let’s talk about why this image has to be upside down. Why do you think that is necessary?
The magnifying lens that we’re using has a biconvex shape, bulging outward in the center on both sides of the lens, so as it passes through the lens it will become inverted, this means it’ll be flipped upside down and backwards.
As light passes through, it becomes inverted. This happens as the light bends between the thinner to the thicker area of the lens. Light bends between the thinner to the thicker area of the lens.
Since the image being projected from our phone is locked in the upside down position the image will be flipped right-side up on the projection wall. Fun fact: this is the same process your eyes use to see!
Place your projector at a set distance from the wall...
MUSIC
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
Take a Chance by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
SOURCES: bit.ly/33VLr7F
Thanks to the following creators for shoebox projector inspiration:
Build A Smartphone Projector! (Using Shoebox)
TechBuilder
bit.ly/3mMCfv6
How To Build Simple Smartphone Projector DIY
NextTimeTech
bit.ly/2RYWya9
Make a DIY Projector with Miranda Cosgrove
Mission Unstoppable
bit.ly/3kIOmqY
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Explainers at the New York Hall of Science
Explainers are part of the Science Career Ladder (SCL) - the signature program of NYSCI’s Alan J. Friedman Center for the Development of Young Scientists. They explain NYSCI’s exhibits, perform science demonstrations, and engage visitors in STEM conversations.
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