Let them explore!

On Thursday, January 9th 4th grade students participated in an amazing enrichment opportunity provided by the generosity of TESPTO called Playful Engineers Traveling Maker Space. In this two hour workshop led by Jay Mankita students first watched demonstrations of how common materials (e.g. blocks, legos, balls, wooden rods, K-nex) could be transformed into simple machines and chain reaction machines in a Rube Goldberg style.  Next, students were able to explore the materials to create their own chain reaction machines.  Students imagined, created, problem solved, and collaborated.  And they failed many times.  But in this workshop students experienced the joys of practice leading to progress and failure leading to success.  

Thank you TESPTO for this wonderful exploration opportunity!

What are Simple Machines?

Mr. Woodley, a science and engineering enthusiast visited fourth graders on Friday, January 20th. Students were able to use a pulley to lift a cinder block, lift Mr. Woodley using a lever, and learn how a screw can be used to pump water.  This demonstration was a preview to the Simple Machines unit that Team Gibbas students will be exploring later in the year.

Thank you Mr. Woodley for volunteering your time to help our students learn!

Ball Machine

Levers, Pulleys, and Inclined Planes... oh my! Team Gibbas students have been learning about Simple Machines in Science.  As a culminating activity for this unit, students created a ball machine which needed to have one or more levers, inclined planes, pulleys, and wheel and axles.  Students worked in groups of two or three on this intriguing challenge.  Students overcame many obstacles and design challenges along the way by utilizing their creative problem solving skills. 
 I'm sure you'll agree that the end results are quite impressive!

Created with Padlet

Learning Standards:  Technology/Engineering Grades 3 - 5

1.  Materials and Tools

Central Concept:  Appropriate materials, tools, and machines extend our ability to solve problems and invent.

1.3 - Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines.

Simple Machines

After learning about Simple Machines in January, students had the opportunity to create ball machines which utilized what they had learned about Simple Machines.  During the month of February students worked with Mrs. Larussa in the CLIC lab to create ball machines that used at least five simple machines.  

Videos of Simple Machine projects


Massachusetts Standards:  Technology & Engineering - Grades 3 - 5

1.  Materials and Tools

Central Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines extend our ability to solve problems and invent.

1.1   Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property, e.g., strength, hardness, and flexibility.

1.2   Identify and explain the appropriate materials and tools (e.g., hammer, screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, screws, nails, and other mechanical fasteners) to construct a given prototype safely.

Exploring Simple Machines

On Wednesday, January 21st fourth graders learned about Simple Machines with the help of a local scientist, Mr. Woodley.  Mr. Woodley showed the students levers, gears, a large screw that pumped water, an inclined plane, and gears.   Students were excited to try lifting a cement block first by using one pulley then using two pulleys which made the lifting much easier.

Exploring Simple Machines - Levers!

Today students had the opportunity to explore levers.  Students were challenged to find as many different ways as they could to make their lever balance.  Students changed the number and positions of the weights in order to make it balance.

Learning Standards:  Technology/Engineering Grades 3 - 5

1.  Materials and Tools

Central Concept:  Appropriate materials, tools, and machines extend our ability to solve problems and invent.

1.3 - Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines.