Wedge Progression: Applications in Design & Engineering - Section 5 Teacher Lesson Plan v2.1 Introduction This Rokenbok STEM-Maker lesson is designed to introduce students to one of the six simple machines: the wedge. Students will become familiar with how a wedge works by learning key information, building and modifying a wedge, and then designing and engineering a custom wedge to solve a challenge. Learning Outcome Appling Non-intuitive Concepts to Problem Solving: Non-intuitive STEM concepts are explored through applications in structural and mechanical engineering, and remote control robotics. Students gain comprehension of challenging STEM concepts that they can see at work in the world all around them. Students use these concepts to create their own solutions to real-world problems. Learning Objectives Understand the basic elements and purpose of a wedge. Calculate the amount of mechanical advantage in a wedge. Modify a wedge to increase mechanical advantage. Design and engineer a custom wedge to solve a challenge. Activity Time: 150 Minutes Grade Level: 4-12 Educational Standards NGSS 3-5-ETS1-4 Engineering Design MS-ETS1-4 Engineering Design HS-ETS1-4 Engineering Design ITEEA STL8- Attributes of Design STL9- Engineering Design STL10- Invention and Innovation STL11- Apply Design Process STEM Concepts Covered Mechanical Advantage Prototyping Load Critical Thinking Work Multiplication Motion Division Distance Units of Measurement Simple Machines Introduction This Rokenbok STEM-Maker lesson will use the following steps to learn about the wedge. 1. Learn 2. Build & Modify 3. Design & Engineer Elements of a wedge Purpose of a wedge Real world applications Mechanical advantage in a wedge Build a wedge Test a wedge Modify a wedge to increase mechanical advantage. Design and engineer a custom wedge to solve a challenge. 1
Levels of Learning Lower Level: Content Knowledge Identify: A single and double wedge Research: Real world applications of the wedge List: The purposes of a wedge Middle Level: Skills and Application Design: A custom wedge that creates mechanical advantage Higher Level: Reasoning Describe: How to increase the mechanical advantage in a wedge Recognize: How much mechanical advantage is in a design Resources The following resources will be used to complete this lesson. Rokenbok Resource 1. Rokenbok STEM-Maker Curriculum Wedge a. Teacher Lesson Plan b. Curriculum Packet (1 per team) c. Student Engineering Workbook (1 per team) SnapStack Module or Programmable Robotics Module or Advanced Projects Lab 2. Rokenbok Module or Lab (Pictured Right) *4 Students Per Module *4 Students Per Module *4 Students Per Lab Prerequisite Knowledge Before participating in this activity, students should have a basic understanding of the following concepts: 1. How to use step-by-step graphic instructions to assemble a design. 2. How to use the metric system. 3. Using basic multiplication and division skills to solve a problem. 4. Fundamental communication skills including reading and writing. 5. How to use the design & engineering process to solve a problem. Assessment Students will be graded on the following for this lesson. 1. Student Engineering Workbook (Written Worksheet - 26 Points) 2. Design & Engineering Challenge (Performance Assessment/Rubric - 30 Points) 2
Procedure Complete the following steps to teach students about the wedge. Teaching time will vary depending on grade level. Younger students may require more time to understand certain concepts. Instructor should thoroughly review content in curriculum packet prior to class instruction. 1. Grouping Before class, arrange students in teams of up to 4. Group students that will work effectively together. 2. Disperse Materials (3 Minutes) Provide teams with the correct Rokenbok resource, curriculum packet, and the student engineering workbook. Instruct students to fill out the relevant information in student engineering workbook as they progress through the lesson. 3. Review Learning Objectives (2 Minutes) (Teacher Lesson Plan - Page 1) (Curriculum Packet - Page 1) 4. Review Key Terms (10 Minutes) Instruct students to review key terms sections in curriculum packet and student engineering workbook. These key terms will be used throughout the lesson. (Curriculum Packet - Page 1) (Student Engineering Workbook - Page 1) 5. Present Content (10 Minutes) Instructor and students work together to learn about the wedge (types of wedges, purposes, and real-world examples). Students should fill out appropriate information in student engineering workbook. (Curriculum Packet - Page 3) (Student Engineering Workbook - Page 2) Tip: Build single and double wedge examples to demonstrate to class. 6. Build, Test, and Modify Wedge (30 Minutes) Instruct students to follow instructions to build, test, and modify a single wedge. (Curriculum Packet - Pages 4-6) (Student Engineering Workbook - Page 2) 7. Understanding and Calculating Mechanical Advantage (20 Minutes) Work with students to understand and make calculations of mechanical advantage on Rokenbok models. (Curriculum Packet - Page 8) (Student Engineering Workbook - Page 3) 3
8. Design & Engineering Challenge (60 Minutes) Review the design brief challenge and specifications with students. Instruct students to work through the Rokenbok Design & Engineering process to develop, test, refine, and explain a working prototype. Teams will present their designs to the rest of the class. (Curriculum Packet - Pages 9-10) (Student Engineering Workbook - Pages 4-5) Tip: Briefly review the Rokenbok Design & Engineering process with students. Tip: Have teams hand in completed student engineering workbooks while they are presenting. Use the design challenge grading rubric on page 6 in the student engineering workbook to evaluate team projects. Teacher Example: http://rokenbokeducation.org/wedgeteacherexample 9. Cleanup (10 Minutes) Instruct students to disassemble all builds and correctly pack all components back in modules or labs. 10. Lesson Review (5 Minutes) Use the last five minutes of class to review the lesson. Guiding Questions: 1. What are the three purposes of a wedge? 2. What are some real world examples of a wedge? 4
Wedge Progression: Applications in Design & Engineering - Section 5 v2.0 Student Engineering Workbook Team Members: Total Points 1. 3. Workbook: /26 pts 2. 4. Challenge: /30 pts Key Terms Match the key terms that are listed in the word bank with the correct definition. Write the correct letter in the space provided. F 1. The amount a machine multiplies force. H 2. Using a force to move an object a distance. B 3. An inclined plane that moves, and is used to separate material, lift an object, or hold an object in place. I 4. A force applied to a machine to do work. J 5. The object or weight being moved or lifted. G 6. A push or a pull. Key Terms A. Simple Machine B. Wedge C. Incline Plane D. E. Separate F. Mechanical Advantage G. H. Work I. J. Load C 7. A flat supporting surface tilted at an angle, with one end higher than the other, used as an aid to raise and lower a load. It is also referred to as a slope. A 8. A device that transmits or modifies force or motion. E 9. To divide or force an object apart. D 10. The vertical height of an inclined plane from the base to its highest point. 5
Learn, Build & Modify Types of Wedges Identify the correct type of wedge in the spaces provided. Single 11. 12. Double Thickness 11. 12. Purposes of a Wedge List the three purposes of a wedge in the spaces provided. 13. 14. 15. Separate Raise Hold Purposes of a Wedge Review the figures below, then identify the correct purpose of each wedge example in the spaces provided. A. B. C. Hold Separate 16. 17. 18. Raise Build and Modify Place a check in the boxes below as the team completes each step. 19. 20. 21. Build Wedge Model Test Wedge Model Modify Wedge Model 6
Build & Modify Understanding Mechanical Advantage Fill in the blanks to complete the statements below. 22. Mechanical Advantage exists when the force of a machine is than the force that was applied to it. 23. For a machine to create mechanical advantage, it must trade increased time or for reduced effort. input output greater distance Calculating Mechanical Advantage in a Wedge Use the formulas to solve the problems below. Example 1 - Single Example Wedge B 24. Determine the mechanical advantage of the wedge in Example 1. Mechanical Advantage: 3:1 Formula: Single Wedge Mechanical Advantage = (18 cm) (6 cm) Example 2 - Single Example Wedge B 25. Determine the mechanical advantage of the wedge in Example 2. Mechanical Advantage: 5:1 Formula: Single Wedge Mechanical Advantage = (25 cm) (5 cm) 26. Determine the mechanical advantage of the wedge in Example 3. Mechanical Advantage: 2:1 Formula: Double Wedge Mechanical Advantage = Thickness Example 3 - Double Wedge (24 cm) Thickness (12 cm) (24 cm) 7
Design & Engineer Design & Engineering Challenge Follow each step in the design & engineering process to develop a solution to the challenge. Place a check in the box as each step is completed. Fill in the blanks when necessary. 1. Identify The Challenge Challenge: Design & Engineer a custom bridge lift. Sub-Challenge: The lift must feature a wedge that creates mechanical advantage. Sub-Challenge: The lift must include a locking mechanism. Sub-Challenge: The lift must raise the roadway at least 12 cm above the surface. Sub-Challenge: The total budget cannot exceed $180. Review specifications. 2. Brainstorm Ideas & Solutions Discuss design ideas. Consider building components and cost. 3. Build A Prototype Build a working prototype of the design. 4. Test & Improve The Design Test & improve the design for performance and consistency. New challenge discovered: Various Answers Review grading rubric and design specifications. Consider ways to reduce cost. 5. Explain The Design Prepare to demonstrate and present the design to others. Review project grading rubric. Explain any unique design features that were included. Describe at least one new problem/challenge discovered during Step 4 (Test & Improve The Design) and how the team redesigned a new solution. 8
Design & Engineer Challenge Evaluation When teams have completed the design & engineering challenge, it should be presented to the teacher and classmates for evaluation. Teams will be graded on the following criteria: Specifications: Does the design meet all specifications as stated in the design brief? Performance: How well does the design work? Does it function consistently? Team Collaboration: How well did the team work together? Can each student descibe how they contributed? Design Quality/Aesthetics: Is the design of high quality? Is it structurally strong, attractive, and well proportioned? Material Cost: What was the total cost of the design? Was the team able to stay on or under budget? Presentation: How well did the team communicate all aspects of the design to others? Grading Rubric Advanced 5 Points Proficient 4 Points Partially Proficient 3 Points Not Proficient 0 Points Specifications Meets all specifications Meets most specifications Meets some specifications Does not meet specifications Performance Design performs consistently well Design performs well often Design is partially functional Design does not work Team Collaboration Every member of team contributed Most members of team contributed Some members of team contributed Team did not work together Design Quality/ Aesthetics Great design/ aesthetics Good design/ aesthetics Average design/ aesthetics Poor design/ aesthetics Material Cost On Budget ($180 or Less) Slightly Over Budget ($181-185) Over Budget ($186-195) Significantly Over Budget ($196+) Presentation Great presentation/ well explained Good presentation/ well explained Poor presentation/ explanation No presentation/ explanation Points Column Total Column Total Column Total Column Total Total Points Total Points /30 55-01228-201 9