Gold Seal Lesson:
Plan A Playground

Copernicus Education Gateway

Subject:

Science

Grade:

5-8

ICLE Standards:

Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

Performance Task:

Students use their knowledge of simple machines to create designs for playground equipment for younger children (or for their own playground). First, the teacher should provide several learning activities focused on simple machines, such as tasks that require the use of levers, pulleys, etc.; searching for simple machines in everyday appliances and equipment; and discussing the concepts underlying why and how simple machines work. Next, students are asked to brainstorm how simple machines could be used in creating unique playground equipment that would be fun to use, safe, and also teach others the basics of simple machines. Students may work individually or in small groups. They create a design and an "exploded" scale model drawing showing their playground device from all views, plus an estimate of materials needed and approximate cost of building their playground equipment. They then create a working scale model of their equipment and demonstrate and explain it to their classmates. One extension of this task would be for the students to select the one project they think is best and to build a full-size model that children could actually use.

Knowledge / Skills:

Plan and apply real or hypothetical models and constructions to facilitate investigation and learning and the solution to practical problems.  (xs2)

Understand the concepts and uses of machines (e.g., levers and pulleys).  (s49)

Use brainstorming, role playing, and standard problem solving strategies to define a problem and suggest solutions.  (ela19)

Use the technique of dimensional analysis to convert units of measure (e.g., convert km/hr to m/min).  (m33)

Rubric:

For a "3" the student

• Creates a scale drawing that is detailed and accurate, neatly labeled, and shows model from the top, sides, and front/back, so that it is easy to understand how it is put together

• Creates a design for a unique, safe, and fun piece of playground equipment; machine solves problem elegantly and is an efficient, creative solution to the problem

• Creates a scale model that works reliably and is sturdy and well-built

• Describes accurately and in detail how the machine works and why the machine works (the underlying scientific concepts)

• Explains why he/she chose that particular design solution and what other options were considered

For a "2" the student

• Creates a scale drawing that is detailed and accurate, neatly labeled, and shows model from the top, sides, and front/back, so that it is easy to understand how it is put together. There may be a few minor errors, or the drawing may be missing a view or some detail, or it may be somewhat disorganized or messy.

• Creates a design for a enjoyable, safe piece of playground equipment; machine solves problem effectively and is a reasonable solution to the problem

• Creates a scale model that works reliably and is sturdy and reasonably well-built

• Describes accurately and with sufficient detail to demonstrate understanding of how the machine works and why the machine works (the underlying scientific concepts)

• States why that particular design solution was chosen and what other options were considered

For a "I" the student

• Creates a scale drawing that shows major detail fairly accurately, is understandably labeled, and that shows at least two different views of model, so that it is fairly easy to understand how it is put together. There may be a few minor errors, and/or the drawing may be missing a view and/or some detail, and/or it may be somewhat disorganized or messy.

• Creates a design for a enjoyable, reasonably safe piece of playground equipment; machine solves problem and is a reasonable solution to the problem

• Creates a scale model that works to a degree; it may not be put together carefully

• Describes how the machine works and why the machine works but may be weak in explaining the underlying scientific concepts

• Statement of why that particular design solution was chosen and what other options were considered is somewhat superficial

A "0" must be redone. The student did not do one or more of the following

• Use scale and/or different views properly in drawing

• Create a workable model

• Show understanding of how the machine works

• Complete the assigned task

• Show understanding of the underlying scientific concepts

Keywords:

PHYSICS
SIMPLE MACHINES
MODELS AND CONSTRUCTION
MEASUREMENT
RATIO
BRAIN STORMING

Grades:

Kg [] - 1 [] - 2 [] - 3 [] - 4 [] - 5 [X] - 6 [X] - 7 [X] - 8 [X] - 9 [] - 10 [] - 11 [] - 12 []

ICLE Application:

D

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