Automaton Adventures: Nature in Motion

6th Grade

Project
4 weeks

Automaton Adventures: Nature in Motion

Yulan Hou

Purpose

Dive into the fascinating world of mechanics by designing and building a miniature automaton that mimics the movement of animals or natural phenomena. This project will deepen your understanding of gears, levers, and pulleys while fostering creativity and collaboration. Over four weeks, you'll transform ideas into tangible creations, showcasing your engineering skills and ability to connect science with art.

Learning goals

Through this project, you will develop a deeper understanding of simple machines and mechanisms by exploring how gears, levers, and pulleys can be used to create movement. You will enhance your collaboration skills by working in teams to brainstorm, design, and build prototypes that mimic natural phenomena or animal movements. You'll also strengthen your ability to document and reflect on your design process, producing informative materials that showcase your understanding of the mechanics involved. The project will culminate in creating a functional automaton and presenting your work, fostering both creativity and communication skills.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.4: Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes.
NGSS - MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Products

Create a miniature automaton that replicates the movement of an animal, such as a frog jumping or a fish swimming, and display it with a detailed explanation of the mechanics. Design an informative poster to accompany your automaton, showcasing the design process and the mechanics involved. Assemble a digital portfolio that includes photos, videos, and written reflections on your automaton's design and functionality, allowing others to explore your work online.

Launch

Begin your project with a dynamic 'Mechanics in Motion' workshop where you will rotate through hands-on stations to explore simple machines like gears, levers, and pulleys. Engage with interactive demonstrations and mini-challenges that reveal how these mechanisms work in everyday life and in nature. This immersive experience will spark your curiosity and provide foundational knowledge for designing your automaton.

Exhibition

Organize an "Automaton Showcase" where you display your completed automaton projects alongside your informative posters. Invite classmates, teachers, and family members to explore your work, ask questions, and learn about the mechanics and natural phenomena you have modeled. Facilitate a gallery walk where you can view and provide feedback on each other's projects, celebrating the creativity and engineering skills demonstrated. Capture the event with photos and videos to include in your digital portfolio, highlighting the journey from concept to creation.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Launch - Participate in the 'Mechanics in Motion' workshop to explore simple machines like gears, levers, and pulleys through hands-on stations, laying the foundation for automaton design (45 min)	Phenomena Exploration - Investigate natural phenomena or animal movements using videos and books to identify mechanics involved, preparing to mimic these movements in automaton designs (25 min) Group Brainstorming - Collaborate in small groups to discuss and sketch initial automaton design ideas, focusing on incorporating gears, levers, and pulleys (20 min)	Design Concept Development - Develop and refine your automaton design sketches, considering the mechanics needed to mimic chosen phenomena or animal movements (30 min) Material Selection - Identify and list simple materials like cardboard and string required to build initial prototypes (15 min)	Prototype Construction - Begin constructing initial prototypes using selected materials, experimenting with basic mechanisms to achieve desired movements (35 min) Testing and Feedback - Test prototype functionality and gather peer feedback to identify areas for improvement (10 min)	Prototype Iteration - Make adjustments to prototypes based on feedback, iterating to enhance movement and functionality (25 min) Reflection and Documentation - Document the design process and initial learnings in a project journal, setting the stage for further development in Week 2 (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed research and documentation of natural phenomena or animal movements, highlighting the mechanics involved. 2. Initial design sketches with notes on how gears, levers, and pulleys will be used in their automaton project.
Preparation	1. Prepare materials and set up stations for the 'Mechanics in Motion' workshop, including gears, levers, and pulleys for hands-on experimentation. 2. Provide access to a variety of research resources such as books, videos, and online materials about natural phenomena and animal movements. 3. Organize materials for sketching and brainstorming, such as paper, pencils, and design templates. 4. Create a schedule for group presentations and feedback sessions to ensure all students have the opportunity to share and receive input.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Mechanics Review - Revisit the simple machines concepts learned in Week 1, reinforcing understanding of gears, levers, and pulleys through interactive mini-challenges (20 min) Detailed Design Drafting - Expand on initial sketches by creating detailed designs, specifying how each mechanism will work to mimic chosen animal movements (25 min)	Material Organization - Organize and prepare materials needed for prototype construction, ensuring all group members have access to necessary resources (15 min) Prototype Building - Construct refined prototypes using cardboard, string, and other materials, focusing on achieving smoother and more accurate movements (30 min)	Prototype Testing - Test the functionality of prototypes against design goals and mechanics requirements, noting successes and areas for improvement (20 min) Peer Feedback Session - Share prototype progress with peers to gather constructive feedback on design and mechanics, identifying potential improvements (25 min)	Refinement and Adjustment - Make refinements to prototypes based on peer feedback, focusing on enhancing movement accuracy and reliability (30 min) Documentation Update - Record adjustments and improvements in the project journal, highlighting lessons learned and next steps (15 min)	Final Prototype Testing - Conduct thorough testing of refined prototypes to ensure they meet design criteria and effectively mimic chosen movements (25 min) Reflection and Planning - Reflect on the week's progress and plan for next steps in the project, focusing on presentation and documentation (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed sketches of initial automaton design ideas, detailing how gears, levers, and pulleys will be integrated. 2. Research notes summarizing findings on natural phenomena or animal movements and the mechanics involved.
Preparation	1. Gather materials such as cardboard, string, plastic, and basic tools for prototype building. 2. Compile a list of online resources, videos, and books for research on natural phenomena and animal movements. 3. Set up a workspace for group collaboration and sketching design ideas. 4. Ensure access to drawing tools such as pencils, rulers, and erasers for sketching.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Refinement Workshop - Collaborate in small groups to refine automaton designs, focusing on improving mechanical accuracy and movement (30 min) Material Enhancement - Explore and incorporate additional materials to enhance durability and functionality of automaton prototypes (15 min)	Advanced Mechanisms - Integrate complex mechanisms such as cams and linkages into automaton designs, ensuring they align with intended animal movements (35 min) Peer Review Session - Conduct a peer review to receive constructive feedback on the integration of advanced mechanisms (10 min)	Mechanics Testing - Test and fine-tune advanced mechanisms in prototypes, ensuring smooth operation and desired movement patterns (30 min) Documentation Update - Record changes and improvements in design journals, emphasizing the mechanical adjustments made (15 min)	Final Prototype Construction - Assemble final versions of the automatons, applying all refinements and improvements learned (40 min) Pre-Presentation Preparation - Begin organizing key points and visual aids for upcoming presentations (5 min)	Presentation Rehearsal - Practice presenting automaton designs and mechanics, focusing on clear communication of design process and functionality (30 min) Feedback and Iteration - Gather feedback from rehearsals to make final adjustments and improvements before Week 4 presentations (15 min)
Deliverables	1. A completed and functional full-scale prototype of the automaton. 2. A draft version of the informative poster, including sketches, mechanics explanations, and initial reflections.
Preparation	1. Gather and prepare construction materials such as cardboard, string, plastic, gears, levers, and pulleys for prototype building. 2. Provide access to tools like scissors, glue, tape, and cutting mats for safe and effective construction. 3. Set up a workspace that allows for group collaboration and safe handling of materials. 4. Ensure access to video cameras or smartphones for documenting the prototype testing process. 5. Provide poster paper, markers, and drafting materials for the creation of the informative poster.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Adjustments - Make any necessary last-minute adjustments to your automaton, ensuring all mechanisms function correctly (25 min) Exhibition Planning - Begin planning the layout and presentation for the exhibition, deciding how to best showcase your automaton and accompanying materials (20 min)	Poster Creation - Design and complete your informative poster, detailing the design process and mechanics of your automaton (30 min) Digital Portfolio Assembly - Compile photos, videos, and reflections into a digital portfolio that documents your automaton's journey from concept to creation (15 min)	Presentation Rehearsal - Practice presenting your automaton and poster, focusing on clear communication of your design process and mechanical understanding (20 min) Feedback Integration - Incorporate any feedback from peers or teachers on your presentation, poster, or portfolio to enhance clarity and impact (25 min)	Exhibition Setup - Set up your display for the exhibition, ensuring all elements are arranged effectively to attract and inform visitors (30 min) Final Reflection - Reflect on your learning and the project as a whole, documenting insights and future areas of interest in your project journal (15 min)	Automaton Showcase - Participate in the 'Automaton Showcase', presenting your project to classmates, teachers, and family, and engaging with feedback and questions (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed miniature automaton that effectively mimics the selected animal movement or natural phenomenon. 2. Informative poster detailing the design process, mechanics involved, and explanation of the natural phenomenon or animal movement. 3. Digital portfolio containing photos, videos, and written reflections on the automaton's design and functionality.
Preparation	1. Prepare materials for the final assembly of automatons, including cardboard, string, gears, levers, pulleys, and any decorative elements. 2. Set up presentation space for the 'Automaton Showcase' with tables, display stands, and poster boards. 3. Ensure digital devices are ready for students to compile their digital portfolios, including cameras for capturing images and videos. 4. Arrange feedback forms or digital devices for gallery walk to facilitate peer review and comments. 5. Coordinate invitations for classmates, teachers, and family members to attend the 'Automaton Showcase'.