Synergy is very important in the STEM lab. To reinforce this habit, the students participated in a tower building challenge. They were given a tool that they had never seen or used before, and asked to use it to build a tower of cups. The tool was a rubber band with four pieces of yarn tied around it. The groups had to figure out a way to use the tool to build a tower without touching the cups with their hands. It was definitely a challenge, and their synergizing skills were sharpened!
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First and second grade students have been challenged to improve a factory subsystem at a potato chip factory. The loading dock area is not ergonomical for the workers, so as industrial engineers, the students are ready to make improvements. How can they make the workers comfortable by combining two simple machines? Here is a quick video of one group testing their plan using a conveyor belt and a pulley. It is exciting to watch all of the different solutions come to life!
To prepare for the upcoming industrial engineering challenge, students have been creating and experimenting with pulleys, and wheel and axles. First, students were asked to create a prototype that included a working wheel and axle. The criteria used to determine if it was successful was when placed on an inclined plane, the wheel and axle must roll down the plane. The students used their creativity and were very successful creating tricycles, cars, bicycles, and other types of vehicles. Next, the students experimented with pulleys. They were given a pulley, a water bottle, and a spring scale to measure the amount of force that is needed to lift the water bottle. Soon, they will compare the amount of force necessary to lift it with a single pulley, to a double pulley. What pulley will require less force? The students can't wait to check their hypotheses! As the students experimented with pulleys this week, they also worked together to help Stitch with simple machines in the museum. Many students asked for the website to play at home. I have attached it below. Have fun!
This quarter, the first and second grade students are learning about industrial engineering. The students will be challenged to improve a factory subsystem in a potato chip factory. In order to improve the subsystem, the students are learning about simple machines, and ergonomics. As the students learn about the different simple machines, they are building them using Legos, scraps, and other materials. Their creativity and problem solving skills are really being put to the test! |
AuthorMrs. Houseman-STEM Specialist Archives
May 2017
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