Process
Step 1: You will go to the below website. Click on the green bubble that says "Click Here to Start!" (just like the picture below) Go to "The House" and pick a room. Click on the different things in the room to learn more about simple machines. When you have seen everything in the room click "Choose Activity" and pick a new room to visit.
Step 2: When you are done visiting at least 2 rooms. Go the website listed in Step 1 above and click on "Simple Machines Glossary." Read about all of the simple machines. In a Word Document, provided by your teacher, fill in the definitions of the simple machine, and your thoughts on how it would be used to create a piece of playground equipment.
Step 3: Go to the below websites to learn more about simple machines.
Dirtmeister's Science Reporters, Simple Machines
Professor Beaker's Learning Labs
Step 4: With the simple machines you have been researching, you and your team are going to create 4 pieces of playground equipment. Each piece of equipment needs to somehow use all the simple machines. Your piece of equipment can already exist or be completely made up. Be creative! Go to the below websites to get ideas. Look at the different types of playgrounds to get ideas of things you can make.
Take a look at the Winnetka Public Nursery School's Playground Equipment:
Step 5: Get together with your team in your classroom. Explain your playground equipment design from your chart to each other. Then, brainstorm your new playground design together. One person should be the recorder and write down all of the ideas. Then decide on the top 4 pieces of equipment for your playground. When you have your 4 pieces of equipment decided, draw a diagram of each piece in your playground. Each person should sketch a piece of equipment. Conference with your teacher to share what you have learned and the sketches of your playground equipment.
Step 6: After your teacher conference, begin creating your playground model. Use the materials and options provided by your classroom teacher or students.
Step 7: When your team has completed your playground model, prepare for your group presentation.
It should include:
- Description of the simple machines used in your playground model and how it works.
Step 8: Presentations