"Force Fun: Measure & Mechanize!"

9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades

Project
1 week

"Force Fun: Measure & Mechanize!"

Barbara Volpe

Purpose

The purpose of this learning experience is to engage students in the practical application of physics concepts through the design and creation of simple machines. By focusing on maximizing mechanical advantage and minimizing frictional loss, students will deepen their understanding of core mechanical principles. This project encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, as students work in teams, utilize community resources, and present their findings in interactive and educational settings.

Learning goals

Students will explore and apply principles of mechanical advantage and friction in the design and construction of simple machines. They will collaborate to experiment with various levers and mechanisms, integrating their understanding into functional prototypes. Through peer review and community engagement, students will refine their designs, enhancing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. By the end of the project, students will effectively communicate their findings and demonstrate their machines' efficiency in minimizing frictional loss while maximizing mechanical advantage.

Standards

NGSS - HS-PS3-3: Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.
NGSS - HS-PS2-6: Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSN.Q.A.1: Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in formulas; choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs and data displays.

Products

Students will create a series of interactive mechanical puzzles that demonstrate key concepts such as force, friction, and mechanical advantage. These puzzles will allow users to manipulate components and observe the effects, reinforcing learning through hands-on engagement. Additionally, students will design and build simple machines using everyday materials, focusing on maximizing mechanical advantage and minimizing frictional loss. These creations will be showcased at the 'Mechanical Marvels Challenge' and the 'Interactive Learning Expo,' providing opportunities for students to explain and demonstrate their understanding to peers and community members.

Launch

Kick off the project with the 'Mechanical Marvels Challenge,' where students are tasked with designing a simple machine using everyday materials. Focus on maximizing mechanical advantage and minimizing frictional loss. Teams will present their creations, explaining the principles behind their design choices, setting the stage for hands-on exploration and peer interaction throughout the project.

Exhibition

Students will showcase their projects at an 'Interactive Learning Expo' held at a local science museum, where they will set up engaging exhibits that demonstrate the principles of force, friction, and mechanical advantage through hands-on activities. Additionally, they will participate in a 'Peer Innovation Symposium,' conducting workshops for classmates and teachers, using interactive models to illustrate the types of levers, mechanisms, and energy storage techniques they explored. These events will provide opportunities for students to share their knowledge with the community and receive feedback on their projects.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7
Activities	Introduction to Mechanical Concepts - Kick off the project with a discussion on mechanical advantage, friction, and the essential question: how to design a machine that maximizes mechanical advantage while minimizing frictional loss (15 min) Mechanical Marvels Challenge Launch - Begin the group activity where students design a simple machine using everyday materials, focusing on maximizing mechanical advantage and minimizing frictional loss (30 min)	Exploring Force and Units - Hands-on activity to define force, its units of measurement, and its application in machine design using interactive models (20 min) Defining Weight and Mass - Students will work in pairs to differentiate between weight and mass, using scales and weights for practical understanding and recording observations (25 min)	Levers and Mechanical Advantage - Explore and experiment with different types of levers, calculating mechanical advantage using hands-on lever setups (25 min) Hooke's Law Exploration - Demonstrate Hooke's Law using springs and weights, explaining its importance in design and energy storage (20 min)	Types of Basic Mechanisms - Interactive group work to build models of basic mechanisms, discussing their function and mechanical advantage (20 min) Friction Fundamentals - Define friction, static and kinetic friction, and rolling resistance, and conduct experiments to observe their effects on machine operation (25 min)	Mechanical Power and Efficiency - Define mechanical power, torque, and power efficiency using interactive demonstrations and calculations (20 min) Peer Review and Reflection - Facilitate a peer review session where students present their machine designs, reflect on learning, and receive feedback (25 min)	Community Partner Engagement - Participate in a hands-on workshop at a local makerspace, where students build and test their simple machines with guidance from makerspace staff (45 min)	Interactive Learning Expo Preparation - Finalize interactive exhibits and presentations for the learning expo at the local science museum (20 min) Peer Innovation Symposium - Conduct a symposium where students present their projects and interactive models to classmates and teachers, receiving final feedback (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Design and construct a simple machine prototype using everyday materials, focusing on maximizing mechanical advantage and minimizing frictional loss. 2. Create an interactive mechanical puzzle that demonstrates a physics concept such as force, friction, or mechanical advantage. 3. Prepare a presentation explaining the design choices and principles behind the simple machine and puzzle created.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for building prototypes, such as cardboard, string, rubber bands, small wheels, and levers. 2. Provide access to measurement tools such as rulers, protractors, and spring scales for testing designs. 3. Set up a collaborative workspace with access to a local makerspace or fabrication lab for hands-on building and testing. 4. Coordinate with local science museum staff to plan the Interactive Learning Expo, ensuring alignment with project goals. 5. Organize introductory materials and resources on levers, mechanical advantage, and friction for initial research and exploration. 6. Prepare guidelines and materials for the 'Mechanical Marvels Challenge' to ensure students understand the project scope and objectives. 7. Develop a peer review system framework to facilitate reflection and feedback on the designs created during the week.