Science Challenges!
Puppets!
Objective: To Use the design process, to create a puppet that moves in at least two different ways
Activator: Watch this video about War Horse
Rube Goldberg (Click on Link)
Wind Rollers
Objective: To use the design process to design a rolling vehicle, powered by wind, that will travel across the table with one puff of air.
Activator: Watch this Video about a new air driven car in France
Mini-Lesson:
Introduce Activity
Suggested Materials: container lids, Popsicle sticks, computer paper, straws, old CD's, pencils, junk from the junk trunk, straws
Student Engagement: Create Wind Rollers
Wrap-up: If you were going to make another Wind Roller, what would you do differently?
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Cantilever Reach Out
Objective: To use the design process to make a cantilever, a beam that is supported at one end only, that is as long as possible.
Activator: What sort of materials would make the best cantilever?
Mini-Lesson: Introduce Activity
Student Engagement: Create Cantilevers
Wrap-up: Ticket out: In what ways did you modify your design to make it work better?
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Pop it Up
Objective: Use the design process and simple machines to make a super ball pop in the air so that you can catch it.
Activator: What's a lever?
Materials:
- Masking tape
- Cardboard
- Rubber bands
- Spools or something similar
- Popsicle sticks
- Items from the junk trunk
- a super ball
Mini Lesson:
Discuss levers. Introduce Activity.
Student Engagement:
Using the materials (and your foot), make something that launches a ball high enough so you can catch it.
Test it out: How high did it go? Did it fly straight enough for you to catch?
Can you make it work almost every time you try?
Extension: Can you make it go twice as high? Can you pop up a tennis ball?
Wrap-up:
Are there any materials that would work better? What would you try differently next time?
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Spin! Spin! Spin! Fall!
Objective: By building a top, gain direct experience with creating balance, finding an axis, gyroscopic forces, and angular momentum.
Activator: What do you think are the most important things to consider when building a top?
Mini Lesson: Watch this short video and discuss.
Materials: Paper Plates, Marbles, Clay, Materials from the tiny junk trunk, pencils, markers, clips, glue, masking tape
Tools: Small hack saw, hot glue gun, work gloves, scissors
Student Engagement: Spinning Tops: Create a top that will spin. Experiment with your design and see how long you can get it to spin. Decorate your top and experiment with visual effects.
Wrap-up: On your wrap-up sheet, tell me which aspect of this activity was the most challenging.
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Objective: Learn that materials’ strength varies with shape and arrangement.
Build Strong: Build a paper structure that will support a book.
Activator: Super Smart Science: Day 37 (I will read the question)
Materials:
- Sheets of 81/2” x 11” paper (several per group)
- Books (1 per group)
- Affordable Structures Sheet
Mini Lesson: Discuss
- Can you support the weight of a book on a flimsy piece of paper?
- Can some shapes and structures support more weight than others?
- What are some basic shapes often seen in building structures? Give examples.
- Challenge extension: Affordable Structures
- What factors could you consider in building a cost-effective living structure for a family? What about a business building?
- What types of industries could benefit from alternative, affordable building design?
Student Engagement:
Build and test the structures for weight by placing a book on each structure in front of the class. Can their structure support the book?
Challenge Extension: Affordable Structures
- Determine the cost of your structures.
- Redesign the structures at less cost to make them more affordable.
Wrap-up: Write what you did you learned or accomplished today?
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Objective: To use problem solving skills to land an object on a target.
Target on the Moon
Activator: Science Fact and Teaser
Mini Lesson: Introduce the Design Challenge
Student Engagement: Work in groups on the design challenge
Wrap-Up: On your wrap-up sheet, write one problem you had with your design, and how you fixed it or would fix it if you had the time.
Future Challenges:
Parachute Drop