Making a stereoscope in the classroom offers teachers the chance to show students not only use angles and rulers but offers the chance to talk about sight, vision and dimensions. An adult should supervise making a stereoscope.
Instructions
Preparing the Box
1. Begin with a cardboard box measuring 18 X 18 inches that has been cut so that the sides are 6 1/2 inches all the way around and the inside base is smooth and even. Place excess card from cutting aside for later use.
2. Find the center of one of the long sides of the box and cut, using a utility knife, a hole measuring 6 X 2 inches and removing the excess card. This hole will serve as the viewfinder.
3. Use the left over card from steps 1 and 2 and measure, draw and cut out 4 squares each measuring 6 x 6 inches.
4. Cut a square from step 5 in half diagonally and choose the most accurate triangle from the two you have created.
5. Score a vertical line down the center of another square from step 4 and fold in half. Score means to go along half-way through the card with your knife. Be sure to use a ruler to get accurate results.
6. Attach triangle from step 5 to folded card in step 6 by gluing edges of the right angle of triangle into the base of the card. This looks like an open book cover with a triangle at its base. Be sure the two pieces attach by applying additional tape to the backsides of the card.
7. Attach mirrors measuring 6 x 3 inches to the outside edges of the folded square in step 6. The mirrors should be vertical with their edges lined up with the fold mark. This is the pedestal viewer.
Creating the Angles
8. Use a pencil and ruler to draw vertical lines the length of the inside base of the box. The lines should start 7.25 inches away from the box corners and evenly flank the viewing area. An additional line joining up the two lines with the viewer at the center will make step 9 easier.
9. Fix one of the remaining card squares from step 8 at a 45 degree angle from the lines you drew in step 8 so that its outer edges touch the side walls of bottom right corner of the box. The corner right hand line of step 8 should meet the center of the angled square.
10. Repeat step 9 with remaining square on bottom left corner of the box making sure to mirror the angles and positions in step 10.
11. Stick mirrors measuring 6 x 6 inches to the fronts of the corner squares using loops of masking tape on the backs. Be sure the general structure of card wedge and mirror is secure and in place using masking tape.
12. Place the pedestal viewer from step 7 in front of the viewing hole so that the smaller mirrors on the viewer face the corner mirrors in the box.
13. Place an image (usually the same image repeated side by side with slight variation) on the opposite wall of the pedestal viewer and use the viewer to ensure all angles and measurements are exact.
14. Glue mirrors and cards permanently in place once all adjustments are to your liking.
Tags: from step, measuring inches, pedestal viewer, card from, card This, excess card
