Pacing Guide

This unit should be implemented to supplement student learning on the concepts of Force and Motion.

STEM Labs can be adapted in various ways to fit into any classroom or learning environment. Each STEM Lab includes the following 3 sections: Engage, Play, and Share (optional).

Each STEM Lab in this unit can be completed in as little as 40 minutes

Section Summary

The Engage and Play sections, which contain the primary learning activities, can be completed within 40 minutes. The Share section, which enables students to express their learning is optional, but estimated at around 3-5 minutes per group.

Click on the tabs below to view descriptions of the Engage, Play and Share sections of the STEM Lab.

Engage (20 minutes)

The Engage section is the introductory section designed to capture the student’s attention. This section is intended to be a whole-class activity. It includes a hook, a leading question that personalizes the learning for students, and the build that will be utilized to create a hands-on, exploratory learning experience that places STEM into the hands of young learners.

Play (20 minutes)

The Play section is split into 3 parts in order to structure learning while maintaining student interest: Part 1, Mid-Play Break, and Part 2. In Play Part 1, students will run an investigation, test, and/or make predictions about scientific phenomena using their build as it relates to the key concepts of the unit. The Mid-Play Break includes a discussion of Part 1 and transition to Part 2. In Play Part 2, students will continue to explore their builds and deepen their understanding of key concepts by applying their knowledge in new ways.

The Pacing Guide

The pacing guide for each Lab provides step-by-step instructions on What, How, and When to teach. The STEM Lab Pacing Guide previews the concepts that are taught in each section (Engage, Play, and Share (optional)), explains how the section is delivered, and identifies all the materials that are needed.

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

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