This video shows a time lapse video of making an ultra simple electric motor. It also explains how the motor works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it_Z7NdKgmY&NR=1

This shows a similar motor with a little explanation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ2HpOAOfbc&NR=1

This one is also really neat, even simpler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYlTcOqUnsY&NR=1

This page has good directions on how to make one. You can use a AA battery instead of a D cell.

http://fly.hiwaay.net/~palmer/motor.html

AlternativeEnergy

Electricity

Design Process