Build a Magic Bus Inspired By Author Joanna Cole

Celebrate Joanna Cole, author of "The Magic School Bus" children’s book series, by creating your own magic bus that can float, fly, and slide from one adventure to the next.

IDEAL AGE: 5+

Learn Together

Science is all around us! Encourage your child’s curiosity and creativity by using stories and projects like this to show that science isn’t just a subject in school — it makes the world go ‘round.

Materials

Aluminum foil
Bucket or bowl of water
Ramp or slanted surface
High, safe surface
Toothpicks, straws, pipe cleaners, paper, napkins, cloth, etc. (Optional)

Create Together

Joanna Cole combined her passion for science, humor, and storytelling to create one of the most popular and award-winning children’s books in the country! Have you read any books in “The Magic School Bus” series? In her stories, classroom teacher Ms. Frizzle escorts a class of students on scientific educational adventures that bend the rules of physics. The Magic School Bus was able to shrink, grow, float, fly, glide, and transform shape to take students where they needed to go for their next immersive lesson.

To honor this adventurous writer and her humorous educational stories, let’s build our own magic bus using aluminum foil! Join to Build Your Own Magic School Bus or follow the directions below.

Aluminum foil can bend and hold many different shapes. What shape is a bus? Try creating one with your aluminum foil!
Find a ramp or slanted surface in your home and slide your bus down to make sure it can drive safely.
How can you transform the shape of the aluminum foil bus into something that will float in a pool of water? You can use any other optional materials to help build.
- Test out which shape floats best in water.
- Try adding some weight to it for an extra challenge!
How can you transform your floating bus shape into something that can soar in the air like an airplane? Stand on a high, safe surface and launch your creation into the air!
- What does it need to make it fly through the air? Did you add any more materials?
Remember scientists, we might have to experiment over and over again. If your magic bus doesn’t slide, float, or soar at first, keep trying new shapes, add or subtract more materials, or try again later!