Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester Public Schools Supported by: National Science Foundation

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1 Simple Machines: K.E.1 Identify and use Simple Machines Grade Level Sessions Seasonality Instructional Mode(s) Team Size WPS Benchmarks MA Frameworks Key Words K 1-30 Minutes 2-25 Minutes N/A Whole class N/A 0K.SC.IS.01 0K.SC.IS.02 0K.SC.IS.03 0K.SC.IS.04 0K.SC.IS.06 0K.SC.PS.02 0K.SC.TE.02 K-2.PS.5 K-2.TE.2.1 Lever, Pulley, Ramp, Simple machines, Wheel Summary This lesson will introduce students to simple machines and tools used for specific purposes. Students will use materials used in everyday life to master the concepts of simple machines. Simple machines demonstrated in this lesson include a lever, pulleys, a ramp, and wheels. After the teacher explains the definition of simple machines and the uses of each, students will be allowed to use hands on techniques in order to learn the uses of each of the machines. Learning Objectives 2002 Worcester Public Schools (WPS) Benchmarks for Kindergarten 0K.SC.IS.01: Ask questions about objects, organisms, and events in the environment. 0K.SC.IS.02: Tell about why and what would happen if? 0K.SC.IS.03: Make predictions based on observed patterns. 0K.SC.IS.04: Name and use simple equipment and tools (e.g., rulers, meter sticks, thermometers, hand lenses, and balances) to gather data and extend the senses. 0K.SC.IS.06: Discuss observations with others

2 0K.SC.PS.02: Manipulate, observe, compare, describe, and group objects found in the classroom, on the playground, and at home. 0K.SC.TE.02: Identify tools and simple machines for a specific purpose, e.g., ramp, wheel, pulley, lever Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework K-2.PS.5: Recognize that under some conditions, objects can be balanced. K-2.TE.2.1: Identify tools and simple machines used for a specific purpose, e.g., ramp, wheel, pulley, lever. Additional Learning Objectives 1. Relate the uses of simple machines to everyday life Required Background Knowledge Essential Questions 1. What is a simple machine? 2. What are a pulley, lever, ramp, and wheel? 3. What are the most important features of each simple machine? Introduction / Motivation Consider using this lesson as an activity preceding mechanical engineering lessons. With the knowledge of simple machines, students will be able to relate their uses when studying mechanical engineering. Ask students to define simple machines. Invite students to demonstrate what they learned when using the simple machines. Introduce students to the various materials they may use to balance the see saw. The students may use the people, blocks, wheels, or poles in order to accomplish this task. Allow students to use what they were taught to hypothesize what will happen if I do this? Demonstrate examples of such techniques before allowing the students to do so. E.G, what will happen if I put two blocks on one side of the see-saw? - 2 -

3 With regards to the pulley, the instructor must demonstrate its uses and then allow students to have a chance to use it for themselves. Students can attempt to pick up the bucket containing heavy objects, realize that it is too heavy, and then use the pulley to lift it. The teacher should be sure to demonstrate the ability of the pulley system when the rope is wrapped around the pole more than once. Allow the children to explore each of the simple machines. Doing so will help the students be able to answer the what if questions that the teacher prepares. Another way of ensuring the students understand is to have them ask each other what if questions and see if they are able to respond with the correct answers. Procedure Part I 30 minutes The instructor will: 1. Prior to the lesson, the instructor will create a see-saw apparatus and car using the Lego Dacta set. 2. Explain to students that they will be introduced to simple machines. 3. Demonstrate the use of a lever. 4. Propose scenarios to the students, i.e.: put one person on one end of the seesaw to see if they can make the apparatus even. 5. Allow the students to investigate the simple machine for themselves. 6. Introduce the new simple machines to be use in this part of the lesson (wheel and ramp). 7. Allow students to describe the uses of wheels and ramps that they see in everyday life. 8. Demonstrate the use of the particular simple machines used in this part of the lesson, the car (wheels) and the ramp

4 9. Set up the ramp against a desk or wall by leaning the cardboard against the wall, taping it up, or simply holding it in position. 10. Show how the differing heights and lengths of the ramps change the speed of the car. 11. Allow students to use the car and the ramp themselves so that they are able to understand their uses (ex. Racing cars off different ramps with different orientations). 12. Review the definition of a simple machine with the students. Part II 25 minutes The instructor will: 1. Explain what a pulley is and what it is used for. 2. Demonstrate the use of a pulley. 3. Fill up the bucket with rocks, or other heavy objects. Show the students how heavy the bucket is and convey the fact that the bucket is too heavy to lift by hand. 4. Wrap the rope through the handle(s) of the bucket and around the pole (See image below). 5. Have two students hold the pole at the ends while the bucket rests on the floor. 6. Allow the students to have a turn to try to lift the bucket using the pulley apparatus. 7. Have the students wrap the rope around the pole many times (See image below) and see if they are able to observe a difference in the weight of the bucket

5 Materials List Materials per class Amount Location Lego Dacta set 1 Local toy store Cardboard Teacher Discretion Free at supermarket Rope 1 Around the house, or local hardware store Bucket 1 Around the house, school, or local hardware store Pole(broom) 1 Around the house, school, or local hardware store Rocks or other heavy objects to fill the bucket Teacher Discretion Around the house, school, or local hardware store Materials per student Amount Location Vocabulary with Definitions 1. Lever simple machine that moves a weight at one end by pushing down on the other end. 2. Pulley changes the direction of the pull, allowing one to lift the load. 3. Ramp an inclined surface that connects different levels. 4. Simple machine a simple device that helps move objects in an easier way. 5. Wheel circular object that turns around an axle. Assessment / Evaluation of Students The instructor may assess the students in any/all of the following manners: - 5 -

6 1. Ask students what if questions to ensure that students understand the uses of each of the pulley and lever. 2. Ask students what would happen if the height of the ramp was changed. 3. Evaluate the students understanding by having them draw a picture of one of the simple machines and an object they would have to move with that specific machine. Lesson Extensions The instructor might incorporate this lesson into preparations for Thanksgiving: (s)he may relate the idea by using simple machines to get a turkey in the oven to cook. I.e.: use the pulley to lift the heavy turkey into the oven. Attachments Troubleshooting Tips The instructor may wish to complete Procedure: Part I of this lesson soon before students continue to Procedure: Part II. Doing so would allow students to see the relationship between all of the simple machines. If one does not have the Lego Dacta set, one may try to build the see-saw out of regular legos or out of wood or a ruler. Safety Issues Additional Resources Key Words Lever, Pulley, Ramp, Simple machines, Wheel - 6 -