Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Develop a design. Select and purchase your materials. Trace the design on the shield. Cut the design out. Attach handle. Decorate the front of the shield.

Answer: Sketch your design true to size using pencil and a large sheet of design paper or poster board. While more advanced shields may be various shapes, a beginner's shield made in a rectangle is a good way to become familiar with the tools and techniques needed while avoiding more complex work. If you have an electric saw and the know-how to use it, a simple oval or circle pattern works well too. You can also create plans for a design or logo for the front of the shield. You can just paint the entire shield a solid color, but a pattern or design adds character. The size of an authentic shield varies depending on its intended use and the size of the person who will use it. A basic shield should at least be the width of the user's shoulders and the length of the user's torso. Using simple materials will help keep the beginner's shield streamlined and easy to put together. A light weight wood is best, such as plywood or fine particle board. You will want a unfinished wood that is easy to cut and at least half an inch thick and about two feet wide and four feet tall, a standard size available at most lumber yards. While more advanced (and historically accurate) shields generally have leather handles on the inside, beginner fighters can use a handle purchased at a hardware store. It is easier to make and to attach, and simple to hold. Look for a smooth handle that will not hurt your hand if you grasp it tightly, such as a bail pull from the knob and handle section of the hardware store. You will need screws or short nails to attach it to the shield. Using your plans as a guide, trace the design in pencil on the wood, on what will be the back of your shield. You can use a ruler or other straight edge if you've decided to go with a rectangular shaped shield. Use a large compass to make a circle for a rounded shield. If you are not completely happy with your design, trace it again. Don't cut until you're sure! You will need a saw, and although you can use a hand saw, it will be a lot of work. A bandsaw is ideal. Go slowly for accuracy and safety. How you attach the handle depends on how securely you need it to stay in place. If you are not going to use the shield roughly, you can secure the handle using small nails or screws. Otherwise, if the shield will see a lot of action in battle, secure it using bolts. You can use a solid color paint, or create a replica design from a historic time period. You can also create your own coat of arms to feature on the front if you are artistic. Sand any rough spots or edges before painting, then apply a thin layer of primer, which will help the paint to adhere. After it is dry, apply another layer of primer and let dry. Apply a thin layer of paint in your color of choice. You can use either oil- or water-based paint, but it is important that you use the same kind for both primer and paint or the paint will peel off. After the first layer of paint dries thoroughly, add another layer if you prefer, then let it dry before hand painting on details. Remember to use oil- or water-based paint for the detailing, too, according to what you used for your primer and base color. Add a layer of polyurethane coating once everything else has dried, and let it sit for 48 hours to cure. The polyurethane will seal the paint in so that it does not chip.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Gather the necessary materials. Chop up some cabbage Boil the cabbage. Strain out the cabbage and save the water. Test the indicator. Test the acidity of your rain.

Answer:
To make your own pH indicator, you will need half a head of red cabbage, a knife, water, a stove, and a medium saucepan. Red cabbage contains a chemical called anthocyanin that changes color based on acidity. By boiling the cabbage, you can make a pH indicator from this chemical and test the acidity of your rain. Adult supervision is recommended for this because you will need to handle a hot stove and a sharp knife. . You want about 2-3 cups of red cabbage cut into small pieces. If you are young, have an adult help you with this step to avoid potential injury. The exact amount of cabbage is not important, so just cut up half of the head of cabbage. Place the chopped cabbage into the saucepan and add enough water to cover the cabbage. Put the saucepan on the stove and bring the water to a full boil. Once the solution boils, turn the heat off and let the water cool to room temperature. Have a parent help with this step to avoid injury when using the stove and working with boiling water. You should notice that the water is now purple. Pour the cabbage and water mixture through a strainer into a bowl. The purple water (the indicator) is currently neutral because the water from your tap is neutral. In the presence of an acid, the indicator turns pink. In the presence of a base, the indicator turns blue. You can refrigerate the solution until you need it. To make sure the indicator is working properly, you can test it using baking soda and vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon (~5 mL) of the cabbage water into two small, clear glasses. Add a teaspoon of vinegar to one glass and a teaspoon of baking soda to the other. Vinegar is acidic, so the water will turn pink. Baking soda is basic, so the water will turn blue. Collect some rainwater in a clean, plastic container. Pour 1 teaspoon of cabbage water into a small, clean glass. Add a teaspoon (~5 mL) of the collected rainwater to the cabbage water. The water should turn pink because all rain is slightly acidic. The deeper the pink, the higher the acidity in your area. This method will not tell you the exact pH of the rain, but will give you an idea of how acidic it is. If you are traveling, you can compare rain from different areas such as different cities, state or province, or even countries and see if the deepness of the pink changes.