Build Your Own White House Science Fair Marshmallow Cannon
Earlier this month, The White House hosted their second science fair, bringing innovating kids together from around the country to show off impressive creations and contraptions. A standout moment of the event occurred when President Obama spotted a peculiar looking device, and asked its creator for details; moments later, they had cleared a path to see if they could blast marshmallows against the wall on the other side of the room with it.
There’s something great about giving attention to the fun of building and working with science. That enthusiasm can be encouraged and shared, as the marshmallow cannon builder Joey Hudy is choosing to do with his detailed build notes on the Make website.
Here’s an overview:
“Extreme Marshmallow Cannon” by Joe Hudy
Tools
- Hack saw
Relevant parts
- 8oz PVC Cement Red Hot Low Voc
- Pressure Gauge 0-100 PSI
- Electronic Sprinkler Valve
- 9V Battery (2)
- Switch
- Wire
- Bike Tire Valve
- Marshmallows
- Altoids Box
- PVC Tape
- PB110 1/2″ x 1/4″ Brass Pipe Bushing
- PB101 1/4″ Brass Pipe Tee
- PB113 1/4″ Close Brass Pipe Nipple
- PVC 1 1/2″ EL 90D EL (4)
- PVC 3/4″ EL 90D EL
- PVC 1″ x 1″ x 3/4″ Tee
- PVC 3/4″ x 3/4″ Tee (2)
- PVC 1-1/2″ x 1 1/2 x 1″ Tee (2)
- PVC 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ Tee
- PVC 1-1/2″ Cross
- PVC 3/4″ Running Trap (2)
- PVC 1″ Male Adapter (2)
- PVC 1″ x 3/4″ Bushing (2)
- PVC 1-1/2″ x 1″ Bushing
- PVC 3/4″ x 1/2″ Bushing
- PVC Marshmallow Barrel
- PVC 1 1/2″ x 12″ (2)
- PVC 1 1/2″ x 10″
- PVC 1 1/2″ x 6 1/2″
- PVC 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ (4)
- PVC 1 1/2″ x 3 7/8″ (1)
- PVC 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ (3)
- PVC 1″ x 2 1/2″ (1)
- PVC 1″ x 2″ (1)
Assembly is pretty straightforward, but you’ll likely want to build a turret for it that lets you aim and direct your marshmallows right at your target — the waiting mouth of your hungry friends.
Hi, I'm Mike. I’m the executive editor of Make: magazine, and host of Discovery channel’s Punkin' Chunkin' and Catch It Keep It, TV shows where I build and explain crazy machines that crush stuff, blow things up, shoot fire, all in the name of science.
I've previously worked at Wired and ReadyMade magazines, writing about how to utilize new technology in our everyday lives.
This site is where I keep a list of instructions for fun projects I've done, am working on, or draw inspiration from. I encourage everyone to get involved — get up and do something!