School Scale Model Club in Exile (in which advice is sought)

[puddingwrestler]

What-ho stout hearted modellers and true!

Now that we are working in remote learning mode in exile, the Student Revolutioary Committee at the school I work at... wait... I'm getting something on the ear piece... really? ...okay... The Student Representaive Council (which SRC apparently stands for) has decided to try to get some more 'social' clubs going. As I have run the wargames club man and... slightly thinner man since time immemorial, I have taken up the mantle of running a Scale Model Club for 12-18 year olds and the odd teacher who fancies getting involved.
I am looking for any ideas on projects - they need to fit some criteria:

• Cheap and easy
• Can be done with material to hand or bought online
• Beginner skill level
• Minimal tools and equipment

So far, I thought we could do some print-and-fold paper models, and some cardboard model making. I've got two books aimed at kids on making models from junk also. If anyone has ideas, let me know!
I've already refered the club to this august portal of modelific excellence as a fine refernce point.

May your knife of exact-zero stay true and the carpet monster go hungry!

[puddingwrestler]

First meeting of the LSC Scale Model Club is at 1:30 today... I've made a demo cardboard house.

And while rummaging around looking for cardboard projects anyone could do I found this amazing cardboard model:

And now I feel a little inadequate. I also have this urge to build a mushroom house. I've done some mushroom houses for goblins before, but this is giving me ideas for improvements.

I will report back on the actual meeting.

[Weaver]

You could maybe use papier mache as a technique - most kids love the getting messy almost as much as the resulting model.

Junk...<sorry> found object modelling is good too, as the famous old Blue Peter TV programme proved. Nothing like turning a washing-up liquid bottle and a Cornflake packet into a space rocket...

[Weaver]

Do you have SURE deodorant spray can there that look like this?



If so, dismantle the cap and see what it gets you. The outer shell would make a good turret and the inner piece is a dead cert for a sci-fi robot/battle droid not unlike the Droidekas in Star Wars. I've got loads of these stocked up: I'll knock you up a quick demo if you like...

[puddingwrestler]

Junk and Papier-mache are both on my suggestion list.
I've got no idea about the deoderant - I use stick. Kids are more likely to have Lynx/Axe in my experience.

[Weaver]

Junk and Papier-mache are both on my suggestion list.
I've got no idea about the deoderant - I use stick. Kids are more likely to have Lynx/Axe in my experience.

Their dads might use Sure though: you could always ask them to ask their parents (their dads might use it but their mums probably buy/choose it! )

The ladies' can is different: it might have possibilities of it's own, but I wouldn't know. What I also don't know is whether Sure use the same can(s) worldwide or use something different in Aus. Maybe have a look on your local supermarkets' websites?

Whatever the state of play with these particular cans, the general point is: pull packaging apart. You never know what interesting little bits you'll find within.


EDIT: just remembered, I have an old 'found objects' thread: https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=26614.msg414274#msg414274

No idea what's available in Aus 10 yrs later of course, but it might give you some ideas.