Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

i need help on how to build a mechnical armthat can lift a pencail from the floor at a distance of one meter,using simple materials. its due in 3 days
any ideas/suggestions?

A real quick method (crude but effective) would be to take a broom, drill a hole near the bristle end (the bottom) so that the bristles act as a counter weight, put a wad of chewing gum on the end of the pole (the top end), put a nail through the hole. and use the nail to attach the broom to a post. To pick up the pencil, push the pole down and stick it to the pencil, and let go of the broom so that it can pivot around the nail and lift the pencil.

Robert Reavis