4L Carousels

Dear Bloggers,

The SELF PACED unit of work with a COMPULSORY SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TEAMS This included:

a research project on carousels to: introduce the unit, connect pupils with their previous knowledge/experiences and to increase their knowledge so they could build on it throughout the unit.
following clear, sequential instructions to build a carousel that was fully functional, sturdy and well balanced.
following clear programming guidelines so that the Ferris wheel would would turn until the motion sensor detected a passeneger car assembly and then it would stop to let the passengers on and off.
written activities completed by all, involving key learning areas such as Maths, English, Visual arts, Science and technology. These included: calculating the cost of the the horse and car seats , explaining the flow of energy throughout the system, using technical language, drawing clear labelled diagrams, translating the coded program into words explaining what effect it had on the carousel, breaking down complex system into simple parts and understanding how the remote controlled tilt sensor control worked.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES TO BE COMPLETED IN ORDER

Teacher directed extension activities were included in the booklet such as designing and building the horse and car seats that could hold more than one person but must cost less than the original design. The weight of the final design had to be considered so the assemblies were not too heavy, or modifications had to be made to the gearing so the Ferris wheel had the capacity to turn the new design.

********************************************************

Open ended student centred extensions included the challenge to improve on the design of their ferris wheel in any way the students’ deemed possible. Many pupils enjoyed gearing up their Ferris wheels so that their rides moved very quickly. Some embarked on building a nice ticket box with many associated luxories.
Open ended student centred extensions to improve on the programming. Some students programmed their ride to continue for a set amount of time before stopping when the motion sensor detected the passenger car assembly and stopped to let the passengers on and off. Backgrounds and sounds were added and keyboard commands to change the direction and /or speed of the motor programmed. Countdowns with attendant sounds and displays were included. Pupils loved adding text to the background and creating signs. The letter coming in one at a time to spell words was much loved

Some interesting programs included.