http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/
This site features some nice moderate-length projects that students might undertake if you include project-based learning in your classes. I found the aerodynamic toys very compelling; the “walk-along glider” is a nose-heavy foam glider that surfs a small wave of air that the pilot generates by tilting a book, laptop, or whiteboard, etc. and walking forward—the glider hovers in front of thee board and can be steered around by redirecting the board. The “tumblewing” air surfer relies on similar propulsion. The more elaborate 2-L bottle rubber band driven helicopters are also very impressive. Both would be great Next Generation Science Standards-style engineering design plus physics projects, as the designs can be iterated.
Posted to the NY physics teachers listserv OPHUN-L by Jerry Licht