Summary

This is a toy test as part of a larger project. The vision is to have a longer base with three tracks so two kids can experiment with their figures and battle/see how changes affect the results.  I encountered some issues (I will talk about in the steps), so for now, here are plans for a working prototype.
It's fun on it's own to make the figure walk and to try to get it to do 'tricks'. 

Variations: use a bead at the ends of the hands if you want the figure to be a walker/dancer. 

Exploration Ideas for Education:
What happens when you use two sets of elastic, one for arms and one for legs instead of the one set described?
What happens when you have two small sticks in the hands instead of one?
Does using different material for the feet make it easier or harder for the figure to move?
What happens when you cross the strings (ex. left arm to right leg)?
What happens if you use strings that are more or less elastic, like rubber bands or yarn?
What happens when you add more straw segments, or take them away?
Art tie-in: children can decorate and make outfits for the figures with paper. Create new heads with facial expressions, hats, etc..

Encourage children to hypothesize what they think will happen, then they can test it with play! 

This is a work in progress and I appreciate feedback.