Applications in Design & Engineering: Compound Machines Teacher Lesson Plan

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v2.0

Links & Linkages

Activity Time: 120 Minutes

Note: this lesson can easily be taught over the course of two class periods.

Period 1 - Convergent Learning Activity Period 2 - Divergent Learning Activity

Targeted Grade Level: 6 - 8

Student Grouping: Teams of up to 4 students

Additional Lesson Materials: - Curriculum Packet- Student Engineering Workbook

Kid Spark Mobile STEM Lab: Young Engineers OREngineering Pathways

Overview:In this lesson, students will learn how different types of linkages can be used to redirect or convert motion. Students will build a series of mechanisms and then work as a team to create a custom design that includes a linkage.

Click here to explore the entire Kid Spark Curriculum Library.

Learning Objectives & NGSS Alignment: Identify different types of links/linkages. Build and analyze a series of linkages. Use Kid Spark engineering materials to create a custom design.

Scientific/Engineering Practice - Developing and using models Crosscutting Concept - Systems and system models

Pre-Lesson Preparation:1. Prepare enough lesson materials for each team. (Curriculum Packets, Student Engineering Workbooks)

2. Become familiar with links and linkages. Consider building at least two of the linkage mechanisms to understand how they work. Curriculum Packet - Pages 1 - 9

3. Prepare an example solution for the design and engineering challenge. Curriculum Packet - Page 10

Convergent Learning Activity:1. Work with students as they become familiar with links and linkages. Note: It may be helpful to build a few examples of

straight and geometric shaped links as shown on page 1 of the Curriculum Packet.

2. Instruct teams to assemble and test at least two different linkage mechanisms. Have students identify the links and joints that that are included in each mechanism. Curriculum Packet - Pages 2 - 9

Divergent Learning Activity:1. Review the Design & Engineering Challenge with teams. Curriculum Packet - Page 10

2. Instruct teams to use the Kid Spark Design & Engineering Process to develop a solution to the challenge. Student Engineering Workbook - Page 2

3. Instructteamstofilloutthedesignspecificationaftertheyhavecompletedtheirproject.Student Engineering Workbook - Page 3

4. Review the challenge rubric with teams so they understand how they will be evaluated for the project. Student Engineering Workbook - Page 4

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5. Consider setting strict time boundaries for the divergent learning activity (see example below). Keep in mind that teams won't always complete a design that works or looks as intended. That's alright! Students can learn a lot by reflectingontheirexperienceandconsideringwhattheymighthavedonedifferentlyiftheyhadmoretimeorcouldstart the project over.

a. Review the challenge with teams. (2 minutes)

b. Teams work through the design and engineering process to create a design. (30 minutes)

c.Teamscompletedesignspecification.(10minutes)

d. Teams present designs to class. Each team has 1 minute max to present. (10 minutes)

e. Lab cleanup. (8 minutes)

Lesson Closure:1. Project presentations - Instruct each team to share the design they created with the rest of the class. 2. Labcleanup-Afterteamshavefinishedtheirpresentations,instructthemtodisassembletheirdesignsandpackall

engineering materials back into the labs correctly. Note: each lab should include a laminated inventory and organization guide to help students pack engineering materials back correctly.

3. Lessonreflection-Iftimepermits,doaquickrecap/reviewofthelesson.

Assessment/Evaluation:

A. Student Engineering Workbook (4 Points) B. Design & Engineering Challenge (25 Points)

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Applications in Design & Engineering: Compound Machines Student Engineering Workbookv2.0

Links & Linkages

What is a Linkage?Instructions: Write the correct answer in each space provided below.

1. A _________________________ is an assembly of links connected by joints or pivots.

2. Linkages can be used to change the _________________________ of motion,

_________________________ motion, or to create _________________________

_________________________ to make work easier.

3. Linkages can be any _________________________ or _________________________.

Create Different Types of Linkages Place a check in each box as each step is completed.

4. Build and test at least two of the linkages shown on page 2 in the Curriculum Packet.

Team Members:

1. 3.

Total Points

/4 ptsWorkbook:

/25 ptsChallenge:2. 4.

LinkLink

Joint

Straight Links Geometric Shaped Links

linkage

direction

convert mechanical

advantage

size shape

X

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Design & Engineering ChallengeFollow each step in the design & engineering process to develop a solution to the challenge.Place a check in each box as each step is completed. Fill in the blanks when necessary.

1. Identify The Challenge

Challenge: __________________________________________________________________________

2. Brainstorm Ideas & Solutions

Discuss design ideas.

Consider building components.

Sketch out design ideas on paper.

Choose the best design.

3. Build A Prototype

Use Kid Spark engineering materials to build a prototype.

4. Test & Improve The Design

Look for opportunities to improve the design. (Is it practical, proportional, etc..)

Reviewchallengespecifications/criteriaandgradingrubric.

5. Explain The Design

Completeadesignspecification.Student Engineering Workbook - Page 6

Discuss the following items with your team and be prepared to share with the rest of the class. a.Howdidtheteamarriveatthefinaldesignsolution?DiscusshoweachstepintheDesign & Engineering process was used to develop the design. b.Isthedesignrealisticandwell-proportioned?

c.Howdideachteammembercontributetowardstheoveralldesign?Doyoufeellikeeveryonehadan equalopportunitytocontributeinthecreativeprocess?

d.Istheteampreparedtosharedetailedspecificationsofthedesigntoothers?

X Develop a new product or design that includes some type of linkage.

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

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Design SpecificationDeterminethespecificationsofthecompleteddesign/project.Teamscanusethesespecificationsastheypreparetopresent their design to others.

cm

Engineering materials used: x 2 = Total Cost $

Length Depth Height

cm cm

Project Dimensions

Cost Analysis

Product Innovation/Invention:

Purpose:

Engineering Notes: (Howdoesthedesignwork?Arethereanykeyengineeringmaterialsthatmakethedesignfunctionwell?)

What is the product or design that was created?

What is the purpose of the design? What problem does it solve? Why was it created?

How does the design work? Are there any key engineering materials that make the design function well?

Various Various Various

Various Various

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Challenge EvaluationWhen teams have completed the design & engineering challenge, it should be presented to the teacher and classmates for evaluation. Teams will be graded on the following criteria:

Design and Engineering Process:Didtheteamcompleteeachstepofthedesignandengineeringprocess?

Design Specification:Didtheteamcompletethedesignspecification?

Team Collaboration: Howwelldidtheteamworktogether?Caneachstudentdescribehowtheycontributed?

Design Quality/Aesthetics: Isthedesignofhighquality?Isitstructurallystrong,attractive,andwellproportioned?

Presentation: Howwelldidtheteamcommunicate/explainallaspectsofthedesigntoothers?

Design Specification

Team Collaboration

Design Quality/Aesthetics

Complete/well-detailed andofhighquality

Every member of the team contributed

Great design/greataesthetics

Most members of theteam contributed

Good design/goodaesthetics

Average design/average aesthetics

Poor design/pooraesthetics

Few members of the team contributed

Team did not work together

Presentation

Points

Total Points

Proficient4 Points

Advanced5 Points

Partially Proficient3 Points

Not Proficient0 Points

/25

Grading Rubric

Complete/opportunities for improvement

Incomplete/opportunities for improvement Incomplete

Great presentation/very well explained

Good presentation/well explained

Poor presentation/poor explanation

No presentation/no explanation

Design & Engineering Process

Completed all 5 steps of the process

Completed 4 steps of the process

Completed 3 steps of the process

Completed 2 or fewer steps of the process

Column Total Column Total Column Total Column Total

Total Points

55-02147-200