Dear Bloggers,
The students made a double car launcher identical in all ways except for the length of the propelling axle. The pupils predicted, measured and used a fair test to determine which one propelled the car the greatest distance. They proposed theories to explain why this was so. Applying their new knowledge they were challenged to design the ultimate launcher to propel the car as far as possible.
Thanks for calling by
Mrs Garlick
Dear Bloggers,
The students made a ‘Measuring Car’ with a dial on the back so they could record how far the cars travelled. The gearing setup used a worm gear to slow down the hand of the dial so, like clock hands, it would move slowly allowing students to make and record their measurements. The car was then rolled down 2 slopes (15cm and 25cm high respectively) from 50cm and 90cm down the ramp. Students predicted what number their dial would read and then tested their predictions. The pupils’ found over time as their experiences built their predictions became more accurate.
Thanks for calling by
Mrs Garlick
Dear Bloggers,
Year 3 investigated pulleys and how the different setups made a difference to how much effort was required to lift a load and the distance the load travelled. The direction of motion was studied and students experimented with the effect of crossing the belt. These basic principles were then applied when the students made ‘Crazy Floors’. This is a ride where 2 Lego figures spin at different speeds depending on the setup of the pulleys.
Crossing the belt to reverse the direction of the motion
Gearing up – the large drive pulley turns the small follower pulley very quickly
A fixed pulley lifting a load.
Crazy Floors – so many different combinations of pulleys are possible. We tested them all out!!!
Thanks for calling by
Mrs Garlick
Dear Bloggers,
Year 3 designed and made a catapult that would propel a small object the greatest distance. In previous lessons the students had investigated what effect varying the length of the load arm has on the effort required to move the lever and the distance that an object can be catapulted. This lesson was their chance to apply and extend their new found knowledge.
Thanks for calling by
Mrs Garlick
Dear Bloggers,
Year 2 made a car and a launcher in class. They predicted which launcher would work better and tested this by measuring how far the car was propelled. The following challenge was to design and make their own cars and launchers to move the car the furthest. The winners explained what aspects of their design allowed them to be successful and why?
The year threes were also challenged. They had to design and make a catapult that would propel a small object the greatest distance. In previous lessons the Year 3s had investigated what effect varying the length of the load arm has on the effort required to move the lever and the distance that an object can be catapulted. This lesson was their chance to apply and extend their new found knowledge.
Thanks for calling by
Mrs Garlick
Dear Bloggers,
1/2S and the rest of Year 2 investigated balance in their classes last week. They built a see-saw which is a first order lever. We identified the pivot, effort and load. Initially the students used the large lego from Early simple Machines to create their see-saw and create balance with equal effort and laod weights an equal distance from the pivot. Students were then challenged to create balance where the load was 3 times heavier than the effort without adding extra effort.
The Alexandra and Claudia were amongst the first to solve the problem. They moved the heavy load in closer to the pivot (reduced the load arm) for partial success but also elongated the see saw on the other side and moved the effort even further out. Balance was achieved. Well done girls that was a very impressive solution to the challenge. The students then used the smaller lego from the Simple Machine Kits to translate their design into a smaller format using many new pieces.
Thanks for calling by
Mrs Garlick