Easy Does It!
Simple Machines
Project Idea
Students learned the way simple machines make our lives easier by experimenting, reflecting, and using voice and choice. After whole class lessons, students were in small groups conducting experiments and designing their own Rube Goldburg.
Driving Question
How Can We Design A Machine That Uses At least 2 Simple Machines To Move An Object?
Key Knowledge/CCRS
COS 4- Define force and motion.
• Identifying forces that change an object's position or motion
Examples: lifting, pushing, pulling
• Identifying sources of friction
Examples: rubbing hands together, applying sandpaper to wood
• Describing the force of gravity
COS 5- Identify the relationship of simple machines to compound machines.
Entry Event
Students watched a YouTube video posted on Google Classroom on how to make their own marshmallow shooter using a cup, ballon, and marshmallows. Each student made one and they played around with them. The exploration of this allowed for the discussion of force, motion, and gravity. The students decided the amount of force applied to the balloon determines the motion of the marshmallow. Gravity also plays a role because it allows for the marshmallow to fall to the ground and not stay in the air once flown.
Assessment Strategies
The assessment strategies include:
- formative assessment during group work
- handouts found on www.pebblego.com
- www.quizizz.com
- www.kahoot.com
- Rubric for Paper Slides
- Invention of a Rube Goldburg Machine
Pebblego.com
Pebble Go is a database for kids. They researched each type of simple machine.
Graphic Organizer from Pebblego.com
While researching each simple machine, they filled out a graphic organizer. It consisted of a drawing of each simple machine and an explanation of what it does.
Invention of a New Machine
As a final product, the students then had to design and draw their own simple machine. It had to include at least 2 simple machines and what everyday task it would help them accomplish.
Google Slides Tech Tool
Students were placed in groups of 3 each. One person from each group had to draw a type of simple machine from a cup. Then, they had to create a Google Slide on it.
Google Slides
The slides feature which simple machine was chosen, real-life examples, and how they help us.
Rubric
This is a rubric used to assess the students group technology project.
Resources
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0ByrZgqgYla-WU0ZyMGduRVpRNkk&usp=sharing
We also used Discovery Education to view a video on each simple machine and different Rube Goldbergs'.
Pictures
Friction
Students working on testing friction using a toy car and 4 different surfaces. The surfaces included tile, carpet, grass, and hardwood floor.
Collaboration
This is a group working on Near Pod lesson on levers!
Rube Goldberg
He is the man behind the machines!