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In this engineering activity, learners explore simple machines and then build cardboard automata using cams. Learners are also challenged to build a complex machine--a moving sculpture that tells a story or performs a task.
- 30 to 45 minutes
- 2 to 4 hours
- $5 - $10 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 14
- Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English, Spanish
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
- wooden skewers
- decorative elements (optional)
- small cardboard boxes (roughly 6 in. x 6 in. to 10 in. x 10 in.) or shoeboxes
- 1/4 in. (6 mm) thick foam (at least 4 in. x 7 in.)
- drinking straws
- masking tape
- rulers
- scissors
- pencils and paper
Subjects
-
Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
-
Engineering
-
Mathematics
- Geometry
-
Physical Sciences
-
Motion and Forces
- Machines
- Rotation Motion
-
Motion and Forces
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
-
The Scientific Process
-
The Nature of Technology
-
The Design Process
- Research and Development
- Invention and Innovation
- Problem Solving
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
-
The Design Process
Informal Categories
- Arts and Crafts
- Toys
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Culture, ethnicity, and gender
-
Girls
- Explicity developed for this group
- Acknowledges this group's contributions to STEM
- Highlights STEM opportunities for this group
- Identifies role models or mentors in STEM fields from this group
- Uses inclusive images of people from this group
Other
Foreign language versions of this resource:
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2013
Funding Sources:
- National Science Foundation, DRL-1114739
- L'Oreal USA For Girls in Science
- Northrop Grumman Foundation
- PPG Industries Foundation