Our class has been studying the six simple
machines. Now, we have been hired by
Home Depot to help them with a big project.
The company would like us to create inventions that would make daily
life easier for people. We are all going
to become inventors. We will discover
the answers to the following questions.
What are the six simple machines?
How do these simple machines make work easier for us? How can we combine two or more of these
simple machines to create a compound machine?
What compound machine can we design to make life easier for people in
some way?
The 6 Simple Machines
Task
In this WebQuest you will review the six different simple machines and how we use them everyday. Then, you will help design and create a sketch of a compound machine for Home Depot. The sketch will be carefully drawn and laminated. A manager from Home Depot will be reviewing your sketches and giving you feedback on your ideas. You and your group will present your sketch to the class and give a brief description of it. So let’s get started!
The Process
Your teacher will set you up with 2 partners. You and your partners will work together to:
1. Review the six simple machines by filling in
a chart about what they do, and examples of how we use each simple machine
today.
Click here for the student
worksheet:
In order to fill out your
chart, please use the links below to review the six simple machines. These websites will be very helpful for you
when you are defining the Simple Machines and giving examples of them in your
chart.
http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
http://www.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight3/spotlight3.html
http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/CURR/Science/sciber00/8th/machines/sciber/intro.htm
2. Now, before we proceed,
click on the link below to take the online QUIZ
to make sure that you understand the
Simple Machines. You can work together
with your group members to complete the quiz.
You must get all of the questions correct to move on to the next
step! J
3. Now that you are an expert at simple
machines, it’s time to get creative! You
and your partners are going to create a compound machine by using two or more
simple machines to design an invention that will make people’s lives easier in
some way.
a. First, you need to learn a little bit about compound
machines. Click the link below to watch
a video about compound machines.
b. Now, you and your partners should decide which role
you will take in the project. The roles
are listed below.
Role #1 – Illustrator – This group member will be
responsible for doing the drawing of the invention.
Role #2 – Writer – This group member will be
responsible for writing a brief description of the invention.
Role #3 – Editor – This group member will be
responsible for labeling the simple machines on the design drawing AND will
check to make sure that the group is using the correct simple machines.
c. Now it is time to think of an invention. The idea must be something that makes a
person’s life easier in some way. The
invention can be a bit silly, but it must make sense. Remember, it MUST include at least 2 simple
machines.
d. Next, take a piece of white 12 x 18 construction
paper. The ILLUSTRATOR should do
a detailed sketch of the invention. The
editor and writer should help the illustrator and make sure that the design is
exactly how they want it to look.
Click here for an example of
a sketch of a project: The Automatic Bed Making Machine Sketch
e. Next, the WRITER should record a brief
description of the compound machine. In
the paragraph, be sure to include the following:
- The name of your
invention – come up with something creative!
- The names of the
simple machines used – remember at least 2!
- How the invention
makes life easier in some way
- Be sure that your
paragraph is spelled correctly and has proper punctuation and
capitalization
Click here for an example of
a description of a project: The Automatic
Bed Making Machine Description
f.
Next, the EDITOR
should label the simple machines directly on the design drawing. Also, the EDITOR should double check that the
correct simple machines are being used by referring back to the Simple Machines
Chart that was completed at the beginning of the WebQuest.
g. Now, it’s time for feedback. You and your group are going to email Mr.
Jeff Panasci, the manager of Home Depot, and tell him about your
invention. Mr. Panasci’s email address
is mpanasci@3villagcsd.k12.ny.us. Then,
attach the description of the compound machine that your WRITER created
into an email. Also, include your design
drawing as another attachment in the email.
Be sure to check back within the next day or two to see what Mr. Panasci
thought of your design. Good luck!
h. Finally, you and your group should prepare a short
presentation for the class. Please
follow these guidelines when creating your presentation:
·
The presentation
should be about five minutes long.
·
All group
members must speak during the presentation, so be sure to break up your ideas
into 3 parts.
·
You should
explain your drawing in detail and describe how it can make life easier.
Evaluation
You will be graded based on the completion
of your chart, your invention design drawing, your description of your project,
the accuracy of your invention, and your presentation. Attached is a copy of the rubric for the
project.
Conclusion
In this WebQuest you have reviewed what simple machines are, found examples of how they are used to help us every day, and designed and created a sketch of your own personal compound machine for Home Depot.