Lab
1
-
Inclined Plane
Total Time:
40
minutes
Engage |
Play |
Share |
20
mins
|
20
mins
|
Optional
3-5
mins per group
|
Build
Inclined Plane
Engage
Students will connect Inclined Planes to forces in everyday life, such as going down a slide. Students will then build the Inclined Plane.
Play
Students will test the lowest of the Inclined Plane’s three height positions, record the distance traveled, and discuss their observations. The class will combine their data and then draw conclusions as a class. They will use those observations to make predictions then test the other two heights of the Inclined Plane.
Share
Students will discuss how their wheel moved down the plane and how an Inclined Plane makes work easier.
Main Focus
How does an inclined plane affect work?
Materials Needed
- VEX GO Kit
- Pre-Built Inclined Plane
- Robotics Roles & Routines
- Build Instructions
- Rulers/Measuring Device
- Pencils
- Data Collection Sheet
- Pin Tool
Lab
2
-
Lever
Total Time:
40
minutes
Engage |
Play |
Share |
20
mins
|
20
mins
|
Optional
3-5
mins per group
|
Build
Lever
Engage
Students will attempt to lift a heavy book with one finger then try again while using a Lever. They will discuss their experiences moving something heavy and relate that to the idea of work and making work easier. Students will then build the Lever.
Play
Students will test three different pivot points of the Lever with a Disk on each side. The students will then add pieces to balance the weight as it shifts due to the pivot positions. Students will draw their Lever at each of the pivot positions with and without the balanced weight. They will then be challenged to find the pivot point that uses the least amount of force on the other side in order to balance the Lever.
Share
Students will discuss the results of their testing and connect their investigations in Play Part 1 and how the data impacted their decisions in the challenge during Play Part 2.
Main Focus
How can force be applied to make work easier?
Materials Needed
- VEX GO Kit
- VEX GO Tile
- Robotics Roles & Routines
- Build Instructions
- Rulers/Measuring Device
- Book
- Pencils
- Blueprint Worksheet
- Pin Tool
Lab
3
-
Wheel & Axle
Total Time:
40
minutes
Engage |
Play |
Share |
20
mins
|
20
mins
|
Optional
3-5
mins per group
|
Build
Spring Car
Engage
Students will think about bikes and the way wheels make it easier to do work like moving a bike. Students will also be introduced to the Spring Car and how the wheel and axle makes the movement of the car possible. They will then build the Spring Car.
Play
Students will test their builds without the wheel and axle across three tests by marking the starting and stopping points, measuring the distance traveled, and recording it. Students will then discuss as a class before running three tests and recording the distances traveled by the Spring Car with the wheel and axle. The class will then draw conclusions based on their compiled data.
Share
Students will discuss the influence of the wheel and axle and how it was helpful for the car’s movement.
Main Focus
How does a simple machine affect work?
Materials Needed
- VEX GO Kit
- Lab 3 Slideshow
- Pre-Built Spring Car
- Robotics Roles & Routines
- Build Instructions
- Rulers/Measuring Device
- Tape
- Pencils
- Data Collection Sheet
- Pin Tool
Lab
4
-
Gears
Total Time:
40
minutes
Engage |
Play |
Share |
20
mins
|
20
mins
|
Optional
3-5
mins per group
|
Build
Clock
Engage
Students will view a video of two gears meshing and discuss how the gears interact with one another. Students will predict how many gears it will take to build the Clock while looking at the example, then the students will build the Clock.
Play
Students will turn the handle and follow the force through the gears to the Clock’s hands as indicated on the Data Collection Sheet. They will mark each gear to track its turning, and then record in a table the relative size and turning speed of each gear compared to the next gear. Then, students will discuss their findings and test predictions they make on two different options for a ninth gear.
Share
Students will discuss how gears transfer force and can make work easier.
Main Focus
How does a force change while using gears?
Materials Needed
- VEX GO Kit
- Lab 4 Slideshow
- Pre-Built Clock
- Robotics Roles & Routines
- Build Instructions
- Pencils
- Data Collection Sheet
- Pin Tool