Simple Machines Project:
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The Simple Compound Machine assignment is targeted to be a
fun hands-on activity at home. It is
never my intent to send home assignments that are unrealistic. With that being said, I am expecting that the
assignment will take some critical thinking as it is a problem solving
activity. From my experience last year,
students spent anywhere from 3 to 20 hours (average around 5-6 hours) on
project, often testing their patience and perseverance.
The level of parent involvement will definitely depend on
the family. While parents are encouraged
to participate, I understand that may not be possible. Therefore, I would hope that the student
would come to their teacher for support (I am available for help during lunch
and after school and please let me know ASAP). Part of my hope with this
assignment is that students will take responsibility for the project and be
willing to ask for support if they need it.
On a final note, it is important to note that I do recognize
effort, regardless of the outcome of the assignment. If a student works extremely hard on a
project and it does not work, I would never ignore the effort they put into it
and what they learned from the experience.
Often, it the experience of persevering that is more valuable than the
project itself.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Thanks,
Matt Blick – ARES Grade 5
Compound Machine Assignment
Due:
Monday May 12, 2014
What is a Compound Machine?
A compound machine is a
machine made up of more than one simple machine. Types of simple machines include the lever,
wedge, pulley, ramp, screw, and wheel.
What are the goals?
1. To demonstrate a very good understanding of how simple
machines work by creating a compound machine.
2. Provide a written and detailed paragraph(s) that
explains how their compound machine works.
3. Build a compound machine that works.
4. Be able to explain verbally how your machine
accomplishes its task. Please use the
appropriate vocabulary: force, motion,
load, fulcrum, distance and so forth. We
are trying to use “science” words when describing our compound machines.
5. Create a sign that names your machine. Ensure that it is easy to read.
How to build your compound machine:
Use your knowledge of simple
machines, your creativity, and your ingenuity.
Look for other examples. If you
need advice, ask other students, your teacher or your parent/guardian.
Is anything off-limits?
Your machine needs to be
safe.
What do I do first?
Think of a problem or an idea
where you think a compound machine would be useful. Do some brainstorming. Make a sketch of some simple machines you may include. If your first idea does not work, try
again. Inventors have lots of idea and
often they encounter many setbacks before they are successful.
NOTE: There is no failure.
Instead of thinking that you failed, think about what you may do
differently. It is often the mistakes we
make that help us move forward.
What do I do next?
Show your sketch and plan to
your parents. Talk over your ideas. See if you all agree that your idea is
possible. Once you have come up with
your idea, please show your teacher so that they can approve it.
After my compound machine plan has been approved by my
parents and/or Mr. Blick, what do I do?
Start gathering the material
you need to make your compound machine.
You can look pretty much anywhere.
You might use cereal boxes, parts of a broken-down toy, recycling, scrap
material, tool boxes, “junk” from your closet, or even something under your
bed! Please remember to ask your parents
before you turn something from home into your compound machine.
Once I have my supplies, what do I do?
Start putting your compound
machine together. Patience is extremely
important at this point. Make time to
work on this project.
How can my parents help?
You can discuss your ideas
with your parents. Your parents may
need to take you places if you need certain materials. Since this is mostly an at-home project, I do
expect that parents will be involved.
Last year, the
number one comment made by students was this:
I enjoyed spending one on one time with my parent(s) building this!
How will the assignment be assessed:
1. Compound
Machine: One mark for each simple
machine used.
·
One simple machine
– 1 mark
·
Two simple
machines – 2 mark
·
Three simple
machines – 3marks
·
Four simple
machines -- 4 Marks
·
Five simple
machines – 5 Marks
·
Six simple
machines – 6 Marks
See attached Criteria that was sent home.
Total Score: 21 marks
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