Simple Machines
6th Grade Physical Science Unit
STARTER QUESTION
What is a machine?
Why do we use machines?
Lesson One
Watch the Bill Nye Video:
Complete this worksheet: https://goo.gl/vGeFWw
Completed in class together. Brainstorming what we know about Simple and Machines.
What is a Simple Machine?
Watch the videos at this site:
Create a notes sheet (either on paper or on the above google doc) and take notes about simple machines from the videos. You need to watch and take notes on these topics:
- Simple Machines Part One and Part Two
- The Inclined Plane
- The Screw and Wheel
- The Pulley
When you have handed in your notes, you can play the games on the website.
Warm-up
1.What simple machine is a ladder?
2.What simple machine is an inclined plane wrapped around a pole or rod?
3. What simple machine is a tooth?
Levers Warm Up
What class levers are:
Levers
Activity
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8RA9Kw_IaE
Activity: https://goo.gl/6RNV0e
Extension:
What class levers are: a hammer, a crowbar, a seesaw, and a ring pull top on a soda can? Draw a diagram of a lever system and label the four components. Design a toy using a lever in some part of the toy.
Lab
(second link is broken-use this one: http://www.robives.com/mechanisms/lever )
Warm-up
1.What simple machine is a pair of scissors?
2.What simple machine is a mini blind (on your window)?
3. What simple machine is a rake?
Wedges
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAAwZird80k
Activity: https://goo.gl/DJmPMX
Lab: ASPIRE Part 1: Lever and Wedge (paper packet)
Warm-up
Inclined Plane
Warm- up
Warm Up
Simple Machines
Screw
Demo: Archimedes Screw
Video: What is a screw?
Video:How were screws used
to make the Great Pyramids?
Lab: p. 635 in the
textbook
Warm- up
Pulley
Warm- up
Wheel and Axle
The History of the Wheel and Axle
Virtual Lab and Worksheet
Activity: Build a Wind Turbine
Extension Activity: How do wind turbines work?
Teachers will need to sign up for a 30 day trial for this to work
Warm- up
Warm- up
Review: Calculate Mechanical Advantage
Calculate Efficiency
Efficient: To do the most amount of work, using the least amount of effort or time.
Scientists can calculate how efficient a machine is. They divide the amount of work done by the amount of effort it took to do the work and multiply that number by 100
Simple Machines in the Summer Olympics
The 2016 Summer Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, beginning on Friday, August 5 and ending on Sunday, August 21. There are many simple machines used in the Olympic Games.
Your Activity is on the next slide….
Simple Machines in the Summer Olympics
Your Job:
Watch the short videos (linked below) about 6 different events. Identify the Simple Machines in use. Use this worksheet to record your answers.
Simple Machines Games
Silent Debate
Could a computer be a simple machine? Why or Why not?
Choose a partner and start a DOC, write down your thoughts about this.
Group Challenge
Website: http://voicethread.com/?#q.b4743591.i24202350
Find 2-3 others to work with on this challenge. Each of you will need to create an answer to the challenge. Put the Google Doc in your science folder
Make a Movie
Website: http://animoto.com/pro/education?gclid=COD68seP8bgCFc5FMgodk0wAFA
Using this website, create a video that shows 6 different types of simple machines. See your teacher before you begin for directions and a grading rubric.
Rube Goldberg Machines
6th Grade Science Unit
Who is Rube Goldberg?
American cartoonist, sculptor,
author, engineer and inventor
Can you find the simple machines?
Can you find the simple machines?
Can you find the simple machines?
What is a Rube Goldberg Machine?
It is a machine that has many, many steps to complete a simple task… watch this example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVdqwD_bcPs&feature=kp
The MythBusters version…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCYg_gz4fDo
Here are some more examples…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H30zTv406Mo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFWHbRApS3c
Rube Goldberg Machines
Your Task:
To create a Rube Goldberg machine that will play music (cymbal, triangle, drum etc).
Rube Goldberg Machine
Requirements:
It must have at least 2 simple machines in it
There must be at least 10 STEPS from beginning to end.
You must use everyday items in creative ways
It needs to be FUN to watch the marble go through your machine
Begin the Design Process...
Step 1: Look over the materials you have and create a BLUEPRINT (a drawing of how your Rube Goldberg Machine will work) .
Step 2: Bring your BLUEPRINT to me for approval.
Step 3: Start Building your Rube Goldberg machine (it may be best to do this in parts, then put all the parts together later)
Lesson Three
Lab Activities and Packets
Website: http://aspire.cosmic-ray.org/Labs/Machines/
Directions: There are a series of labs that you will complete using this website. See your teacher for the lab packets- they follow the website activities and give you a spot to write down all of your information. You will work with your shoulder partner to complete these labs.
Lab Packets:
- Simple Machines - Lesson One: The Wedge and Lever
- Simple Machines - Lesson Two: Pulley and Inclined Plane
- Simple Machines - Lesson Three: Wheel and Axle