STEM Challenge

In this STEM challenge, students will tinker with straws, thread, and cardboard to learn about a load, lever, and fulcrum.

Students will start with two straws with one string tied in a different place on each. The straw represents the lever while the position of the string represents the position of the fulcrum. There will be a straw with the fulcrum in the middle and another with the fulcrum near either of its ends. The students will also be provided with six different weights. The weights are made out of lightweight cardboard as not to bend the straw, but heavy enough to show a significant pull.

Lesson: Simple Machines: Introduction to levers and fulcrums.

Objective: Introducing Class 4 & 5 students to the concept of fulcrums, levers, and simple machines.

Things We Need

Straws

Cardboard

Scissors/Cutter

Thread

Investigation 1: Fulcrum at the Center

The lesson will start with an investigation of how the location of the fulcrum affects how weight balances on the lever. Students will be given a little time to explore this, and then move into the next activity.

With the fulcrum at the center, their task would be to use equally weighted cardboard pieces and try to balance it. Then they will balance differently weighted cardboard pieces.

Outcome:

Students will learn that when the fulcrum is at the center; they have to place the equal weight on each side of the straw to balance it. Moreover, the weights should be equidistant from the fulcrum. They will also note that when they try to balance two different weights, the heavier mass needs to be closer to the fulcrum.

Investigation 2: Fulcrum Near One End

With a fulcrum near one of its ends, their task would be to use equal-weighted cardboard and try to balance it. Then they will balance differently weighted cardboard.

Outcome:

Students will observe that when the fulcrum is near the end, to balance it, they have to use differently weighted cardboard with the heavier cardboard on the shorter side.

Show Time: Hanging Mobile Challenge

Now that have learned about load, fulcrum and lever and how to balance them. It is time to challenge them.

For their final task, students will be instructed to create a balanced hanging mobile using only the straws, string and weights. They will have to rely on their knowledge of fulcrums and weight balance to complete this task. The straws attach to each other vertically, with their respective string tied to the straw above it. The uppermost straw’s string is for holding the mobile when finished.

Comments

Rose Window with Tinkercad

I love to study ancient civilizations and architecture. Last summer I attended a 3D printing workshop, "Tinkering with Tinkecad" at my school. At the workshop, I learned how 3D printing is not only revolutionizing STEM learning but also aiding other streams like Geography and History. I learned how I can print out historical artifacts to examine and understand them much better. Here, I'm sharing how I used Codeblocks to create the Rose Window of the Abbey of Fiastra . Things We Need Computer Internet 3D software ( Tinkercad ) Computer mice, 3D printer, and filaments for printing(optional) Division For convenience, we will divide the Rose Window into 2 parts, Inner Shell and Outer Shell . Inner Shell: Division and Identification The Inner shell of the Rose Window can divide it into 3 parts: Central Part: made up of a solid cylinder at the center with hole cylinder with 12 cylindrical holes with the base pointing towards you. Middle Part: is made up of ...

Space Invader With MakeCode

Microsoft MakeCode is a framework for creating interactive and engaging programming experiences for those new to the world of programming. The platform provides the foundation for a tailored coding experience to create and run user programs on actual hardware or in a simulated target. MakeCode uses the blocks programming model to let the user learn coding concepts in a more tangible fashion. The blocks map directly to actual lines of code in a programming language. So, once a user has a sense of confidence and familiarity with how the blocks work, they can transition to coding more complex programs in the programming language itself. In this Instructable, we'll develop a simplified version of the classic ' Space Invaders ' game using Microsoft MakeCode. As opposed to the real game of Space Invaders game, our Invader(enemy) will be firing and moving horizontally across the top of the screen. The player will control a laser cannon by moving it horizontally across the ...

Bernoulli’s Mist Sprayer

No doubt students learn more when they are mentally and physically engaged in the learning process, regardless of the subject they are studying, and when it comes to STEM education , hands-on experiential learning is an indispensable part of the learning process. In this hands-on activity, we will make a water sprayer using two straws, and experience Bernoulli’s Theorem . Category: Physics Sub Topic: Fluid Pressure Time Required : 20-30 min Difficulty: Easy Things We Need 2 Straws (4 inches each) Insulation Tape Eraser Scissors A glass of water Assembly Pic 1: Cut two insulation tape pieces and attach them to either end of both the straws. Pic 2: While attaching the tape, make sure to leave some space from the end(4-5mm approx). Pic 3 : Tape the 1st straw(I used Green straw as 1st) to the eraser so that the straw is exactly aligned with the edge of the eraser. Pic 4: Next, tape the second straw(I used Orange straw as 2nd) to the edge of th...

Tinker Nest

Search This Blog