Power Wheels. Grade Levels: Concepts: Big Idea: Ohio s New Learning Standards: Classroom Connections: Simple and Compound Machines

Transcription

1 Power Wheels Grade Levels: 2 Concepts: Simple and Compound Machines Forces and Motion Energy, Work and Effort Actions and Reactions Big Idea: Students will discover work, effort, forces, motion, potential and kinetic energy through exploration of simple machines, K NEX car building and creating a toy to take home. Ohio s New Learning Standards: Science Grade Band Theme: Observations of the Environment Strand: Physical Science Topic: Changes in Motion Content Statement: Forces change the motion of an object. Classroom Connections: Either before or after your visit The Works recommends that you investigate these words and phrases in your classroom. Simple Machines Inclined Plane Wheel and Axle Lever Screw Wedge 1

2 Pulley Compound Machine Force Push Pull Motion Energy Potential Kinetic Literacy Links: Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker, and Paul Meisel. Forces make things move. New York: HarperCollins, Print. Hewitt, Sally. Machines we use. New York: Children's Press, Print. Mason, Adrienne, and Claudia DaÃÅvila. Move it!: motion, forces and you. Toronto: Kids Can Press, Print. Stille, Darlene R., and Sheree Boyd. Motion: push and pull, fast and slow. Minneapolis: Picture Window Books, Print. Wells, Robert E.. How do you lift a lion?. Morton Grove, Ill.: A. Whitman, Print. Welch, Catherine A.. Forces and motion: a question and answer book. Mankato, Minn.: Capstone Press, Print. Extensions at The Works: Go Lab Build and race cars while exploring the effects of forces and motion. Discover the effects of gravity. 2 nd Floor History Museum Line Shaft System Learn how simple machines can be linked together to create complex machines. See simple machines work. 2

3 Additional Resources:

4 Power Wheels Pre Visit Activities Gravity Racers Objective: Students will explore one type of simple machine and discover the effects of gravity. Materials: Toy Car Foam Board Books Masking Tape Marker/Crayon Measuring Tape Procedure: 1. Introduce the six simple machines to students. 2. Explain that an inclined plane is similar to a ramp or even a slide. 3. Have students discuss if/where they have seen this type of simple machine. 4. Place 3 4 books in a pile. 5. Set one end of the foam board on the ground and lean the other against the books creating an inclined plane. 6. Show students the inclined plane and ask if they have seen one before. 7. Allow students to place their toy car at the top of the inclined plane. a. Discuss what makes the car move? i. A force, gravity causes the car to move down the inclined plane. b. Explore potential and kinetic energy. i. At the top of the ramp the car has potential energy. The higher up the ramp the more potential energy the car has. ii. Once released the car begins to move down the ramp and the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, the energy of motion. 8. Using the masking tape mark the distance the car traveled. Possible extensions: Change the number of books in the pile and mark distance travelled with a different color marker on the tape. o Does the change in height impact the distance travelled. Use a stopwatch to determine the amount of time it takes for the car to travel from the start to a finish line. 4

5 o o Vary the number of books in the pile. How did this impact the time? Vary the type of car used. How did this impact the time? What Happened? Students will understand that an inclined plane allows items to move from one level to another. If there is a ramp at your school explore this further by having the students pull a wagon up the ramp and carry the same amount of weight up the stairs. 5

6 Simple Machines Scavenger Hunt Objective: Students will learn and be able to identify simple machines. Materials: Simple Machines PowerPoint Presentation Simple Machines Reference Sheets Pencils Procedure: 1. Students will review the Simple Machines PowerPoint Presentation. 2. After viewing the presentation students should be directed to locate as many examples of simple machines in the classroom as possible. a. Students may use the Simple Machines Reference Sheets. b. Students should draw the machine they found in the room. c. Bring students all together and have them share their drawings and discuss the jobs their machines do. Possible extensions: Discuss and explore compound machines. Allow students to list and include complex machines during their simple machines scavenger hunt. Have students review and discuss their lists especially the How We Know statements. o Did everyone have the same items? o Were the reasons for inclusion all the same? Does a wheel and axle have to turn? Can a screw also be a wedge? What Happened? Students will understand simple machines and how they can work together to create complex machines. They will also be able to identify simple machines in the real world and their uses. 6

7 Power Wheels Post Visit Activities Friction Feats Objective: Students will explore the effects of friction on an object. Materials: Toy Car Foam Board Books Masking Tape Marker/Crayon Measuring Tape Stopwatch Textured surfaces o Bubble Wrap o Cling Wrap o Wax Paper o Sand Paper Procedure: 1. Put students into small groups (3 4). 2. Give each group a piece of foam board, masking tape, a measuring tape, stopwatch, bubble wrap, cling wrap, wax paper and sand paper. 3. Have students place 3 4 books in a pile. 4. Use the masking tape to create a start line at the top of the inclined plane (ramp) and a finish line two feet from the bottom of the inclined plane (ramp). 5. Have students time how long it takes their cars to cross the finish line. a. We recommend 10 trials. 6. Record times to share later. a. The table at the end of this activity can be used to record data. 7. Have students add one of the textured surfaces to their inclined plane. 8. Time how long it takes cars to cross the finish line. 9. Switch out textured surfaces and continue timing until all surfaces have been tested. 10. Determine the average time for each surface type. 11. Compare average times between the different surfaces. 7

8 a. Which was fastest? b. Slowest? c. Why? 12. Introduce friction and have students explain how this applies to their findings. Possible extensions: Allow students to choose a textured surface of their own. o Compare the results to prior tests. What Happened? Students will understand that friction will slow and objects movement and that different surfaces create different amounts of friction. Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 Trial 7 Trial 8 Trial 9 Trial 10 Average Plain Bubble Wrap Cling Wrap Wax Paper Sand Paper Other 8

9 Force Finder Objective: Students will learn to describe motions and understand that forces cause motion. Materials: Index Cards Pencils Playground Motion Scavenger Hunt Sheet Type of Motion Force Playground Equipment Round and Round Push Merry Go Round Procedure: 1. Write MOVE on the board and ask students to create a list of ways things can move. 2. After a few minutes create a large list of movement types on the board and ask students to act out each type of movement. 3. Pass out index cards to all students. 4. Ask students to draw a picture of two different objects in the room that move on one side of the card. 5. Have students share their pictures and describe the motion to a partner. 6. Ask students what causes motion. 7. Discuss forces with students. 8. Split students into small groups (3 4) and introduce the motion scavenger hunt. a. The above table is an example that can be used to record findings. 9

10 9. Students should explore the playground and how different types of equipment are used. a. Have students record the name of the equipment, type of motion and force present. b. Share findings back in classroom. What Happened? Students will understand that there are many different types of motion, but that all motion is caused by a force. 10