This gyro, very similar to the one designed by Prof. Maxwell, is designed to show that a gyroscope will always react at 90 degrees to an applied force. To show this the spindle of the heavy spinning wheel, which is pivoted at it's center of gravity, will follow an irregularly shaped object (in this case a Tracer Spiral).

Three metal balls roll back and forth. When rolled one way all three balls roll side by side. When rolled the other way one ball rolls ahead of the other two. Students are challenged to explain why.

An old fashioned top that you throw with a string.

A crank up handle with a trigger release sets the tops spinning. They can be stacked on each other.