2. Invention: to demonstrate the principals of motion and force, energy and matter and scientific inquiry 
          (English/Career and Technology/ Science)  

3. Illustration: three dimensional model, applying knowledge of simple machines 
          (Math/ Science/ Art)  

4. Career Exploration: research to identify career opportunities 
          (English/ Career and Technology/ Science/ Math)  

5. Writing: expository writing and technical manual  
          (English/ Career and Technology/ Science/ Math)  

6. Presentation: Oral, written and practical evaluation of project 
          (English/ Art/ Career and Technology/ Math/ Science )  

7. Lab Activity: Describe how the design reflects the information gathered from research and the effectiveness of the project. 

• Handout - Information #1

1. Inventions must come from the suggested list of approved projects. 

2. Follow established safety rules when applicable. 

3. You are responsible for the safe keeping of and treatment of all tools and materials used. 

4. No motors or toys should be used. 

5. Use common household items. 

6. All construction must be completed by the students. 

7. Consultants may be used. 
 

• Handout - Information #2

Student______________________________________ Teacher_________________________ 

_____1. Complete, present and post art project ________ 

_____2. Rough Draft of rationale. ________ 

_____3. Rough Draft of impact on society. ________ 

_____4. Rough Draft of technical manual ________ 

_____5. Project approval ________ 

_____6. Questionnaire for Career Exploration ________ 

_____7. Six examples of simple machines ________ 

_____8. Final Draft of rationale ________ 

_____9. Trial 1 (have another group test) ________ 
 

• Handout - Writing #3 

List the six types of simple machines and provide an example of each that has not been given by teacher. 
 

• Handout - Writing #4

In a complete paragraph explain and describe why your invention will succeed in the task. Why the invention was the best choice of the simple machines? 
 

• Handout - Writing #5

Choose one of the following items to discuss: 

1. In one complete paragraph discuss the following  concerns addressed by the engineering of your invention. Consider three of the following: pollution, energy conservation, energy conversion, employment opportunities, raw material availability and mass production. 

2.Choose a product that has been invented. Research the inventor/ the invention. Discuss how that product has impacted society (example: velcro, atomic energy, microwaves, cellular phones, cordless phones, televisions, VCR's etc.) 
 

• Handout - Information #6

• Rubric - Information #1  

1. Have the students communicated and defended a scientific argument based on research? 

2. Does the design reflect information gathered from the research? 

3. Did they understand the process that explain how their machine works? 

4. Is the information from the research clearly and accurately presented in the manual? 

5. Does the prototype accurately reflect the design? 

6. Does it successfully complete its purpose? (Did the device travel a distance of 5 meters)? 

7. Was it creatively constructed? 

• Rubric- Information #2

For each profession identify; 

A. Skills needed to perform the task  
B. Education  
C. Income  
D. Potential for future job growth  
E. Benefits  
F. Size of Profession  
G. Job Description  
H. What schools in Georgia offer the training or education?  
• Rubric Information #3

I. Description (paragraph form) 

• Describe the product. 
• What does it look like? 
• What is the size? 
• Is it wooden, steel, combination, etc.? 
• Describe the purpose of the product. 
• What task can it complete? 
• Include a diagram of the machine with the parts labeled 

• Explain how the machine actually works. 
• Use the following calculations to prove the theory. 
• Force F= ma 
• Velocity v=d/t 
• Acceleration a=(delta)v/t 

List the items that are not consumable; ex. hammer, screwdriver, etc. 

List the consumable materials. ex. oil, nail, paper, etc. 

List safety equipment. ex. Eye shields 

A. Each step should be numbered. Sub-steps should be lettered. 

B. Each step should start with an action verb whenever possible. 

       Ex. Turn knob counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn. 

C. Steps must be concise and precise. Limit the number of words used (as short as possible) 

       Ex. The operator should turn the knob now=Turn the knob 

D. The person reading the manual must know exactly to what degree an action is to be performed 

       Ex. Turn the knob(wrong) 

       Turn the knob 1/4 turn clockwise 

E. Refer to labeled drawing when applicable (ex. Turn knob "A" 1/4 turn clockwise) 

F. Warnings must be included BEFORE a step if physical danger or danger to a machine is present or possibly present. The warnings should stand out. You may want to use capital letters, underlining, bold, color, etc. to call attention to the warning. 

       Ex. WARNING: Engine is hot 

G. Notes should be used periodically at the END of a step to let the reader know he/she has performed the task successfully. You want the note to be noticeable (underline, bold, etc.) 

       Ex. Note: When the bolt is removed, oil should begin draining. (You may also want to include a statement to suggest what should be checked if there is an error.)

H An illustration is required in each manual. (This could be your scaled drawing.) 

Rubric - Information #4

1. Was the presentation in a logical sequence? 

2. Was it clearly described? 

3. Was the presentation fluent and articulate? 

4. Was the presentation successful in communicating/describing the topic?

Day One: Hours 1 - 3 - Explanations

Simple Machines:  

• Machines make work easier. People use a variety of machines each day. Computers, bicycles, pencil sharpeners and scissors are examples of simple machines. A machine is a mechanical device that makes work easier.
• Machines may be powered by engines or electric motors and others are powered by people. Some machines are simple and others are complex.
• A simple machine is a mechanical device that accomplishes work with only one movement. There are six types of simple machines: lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, and wedge.
• A lever is a bar that is free to turn around a fixed point. The fixed point of a lever is called the fulcrum. When a person uses a tire tool/crow-bar to pry a tire from a bicycle wheel, that person used the tire tool as a lever. A seesaw is another example of a lever.
• A pulley consists of a grooved wheel with a rope or chain running along the groove. When a student raises a flag on the flagpole, he or she uses a pulley to move the flag to the top of the pole.
• A wheel and axle is a simple machine that consists of two wheels of different sizes that rotate together. Doorknobs, ice-cream makers and faucet handles are wheels and axles. On effort force is usually applied to the larger wheel. The smaller wheel, the axle, exerts the resistance force. For example, consider a water faucet with a broken handle. Without the faucet handle (wheel), the shaft of the faucet (axle) is difficult to turn.
• An inclined plane is a sloping surface that is used to raise or lower objects. What if you wanted to load a lawn mower onto a truck? You could try to lift the lawn mower onto the truck or you could use a simple machine - an inclined plane. An inclined plane would make the work of leading the lawn mower easier since you could roll the mower up and down the sloping surface.
• The screw and wedge are examples of inclined planes that move. A screw is an inclined plane wrapped in a spiral around a cylinder. The threads of the screw are composed of an inclined plane or ramp that winds from the bottom of the screw to the top.
• A wedge is made of two inclined planes. A doorstop is an example of a wedge. The two inclined planes work to hold the door open. Chisels and ax blades are also wedges that are simple machines.
• Many machines are made of two or more simple machines. A combination of simple machines is a compound machine.

3. Introduction to Unit- Goals of project, results, assessment, show examples.  

a. Cover rules and regulations 
b. Homework: Identify at least one example of each of the five types of simple machines

Discovering Simple Machines: Video Project. 
(United Learning, Inc. Niles IL. 1-800-424-0362)