TESLA Balance and Motion 2011 Wheel and Axle Systems Lesson 6

The Big Idea of this Investigation Our physical world is governed by the properties and interaction of objects and how force affects motion.

ENGAGING SCENARIO The Lewiston Toy Company is very pleased with the information we have given them about balancing and spinning toys. They now have a new problem. They are thinking about making some toys that roll. They would like for you to test some models that they think will help make good rolling toys. The Lewiston Toy Company needs your help in testing these models to see if they will work.. They have sent us some materials and printed information that may help us. They also need us to continue to keep accurate records and labeled drawings in our science notebooks so we can report what we found out in a couple of weeks. What is the problem we need to solve? What do we need to investigate? The Lewiston Toy Company is very pleased with the information we have given them about balancing and spinning toys. They now have a new problem. They are thinking about making some toys that roll. They would like for you to test some models that they think will help make good rolling toys. The Lewiston Toy Company needs your help in testing these models to see if they will work.. They have sent us some materials and printed information that may help us. They also need us to continue to keep accurate records and labeled drawings in our science notebooks so we can report what we found out in a couple of weeks. What is the problem we need to solve? What do we need to investigate?

Kit Inventory What color/shape is the object? Where have you seen this object before? What do you think we will use this for in the unit? What color/shape is the object? Where have you seen this object before? What do you think we will use this for in the unit? These are the objects that have been sent to us by the Lewiston Toy Company. I have put them in this large bag. Let’s see if we can identify them.

We have already had several experiences with spinning and rotating toys. How can we tell if something is spinning or rotating? How do you make something spin or rotate? For this investigation the Lewiston Toy Company has asked us to use the large and small plastic disks like wheels. They have also sent us some materials to build ramps. Lets start by exploring how we can make our wheels move down the ramp? How are we able to make the wheels roll or slide down the ramp? Can we make our wheels roll better with a straw? New Vocabulary: Rolling: when wheels go around on their edge. Axle: a rod or shaft to which wheels can be attached.

Focus Question (What is the problem?) How can we make a roller that…? NOTEBOOK ENTRY Discuss with your group of scientists a possible focus question for this investigation. The Lewiston Toy Company wants to use wheels with axles to make rolling toys, but they want their toys to be able to do certain things. They want to be able to build: Rollers that wobble Rollers that go around a corner Roller that go back and forth

NOTEBOOK ENTRY Prediction (related to the focus question) I think that I think that if we attach the __________________ the rollers will ____________________________. I think this because…

Solving our Problem Scientists always try to make careful observations. NOTEBOOK ENTRY Test your ideas to see if you can solve the problem. If you think you found a design that works, make a drawing of your design in your science notebook. Be sure to label all of your drawings. Sometimes scientists like to record the ideas that don’t work because these ideas can also help us understand the problem. Record examples of how you assembled your rollers in your science notebook. Scientists use labels and pay attention to detail so other people can understand their drawings.

Making Meaning Conference How would you make a wheel system that goes straight? How would you make a wheel system that wobbles? Which direction do wheels roll on a ramp? What happened when the axles were attached to the wheels? How would you make a wheel system that turns a corner? How were you able to make your roller go back and forth or do a new trick?

Claims and Evidence Use your own words, or words from the word wall, to help you complete the following sentences in your science notebook. I claim that an axle helps wheels roll down a slope. I know this because… I claim that a system with one small wheel and one large wheel attached to an axle will... I know this because… I claim that an axle helps wheels roll down a slope. I know this because… I claim that a system with one small wheel and one large wheel attached to an axle will... I know this because… NOTEBOOK ENTRY

Reflection/Conclusion Revisit your original prediction and respond to one of the following stems: My prediction was accurate or was not accurate because….. I wish to revise my prediction because… My original thinking has changed because… What did you learn…? What really surprised you…? What new questions do you have…? What would you like to know more about…? NOTEBOOK ENTRY