4/13/15

Standards & EQs Standards Essential Questions O SPI 0807.T/E.1 Identify the tools and procedures needed to test the design features of a prototype. O SPI Recognize that electricity can be produced using a magnet and wire coil. O SPI Describe the basic principles of an electromagnet. O SPI Distinguish among the Earth’s magnetic field, a magnet, and the fields that surround a magnet and an electromagnet. O What tools and procedures were used to test the design features of your prototype? O How can electricity be produced using a magnet and wire coil? O What are the basic principles of an electromagnet? O Compare and contrast the Earth’s magnetic field to that of a magnet and an electromagnet.

Engineering “Green” Toys Challenge What was your favorite toy to play with as a child? Was it Mr. Potato Head? What about a Slinky or Legos? It seems like every time you walk through the toy section of a store the toys get cooler and more exciting. Who comes up with this stuff? Toy engineers, that’s who! As a toy engineer, you can play with toys all day long while trying to create new inventions that kids will love. If you’re not really good at coming up with new things, you can also find new ways to make old favorites more exciting! Engineers have a wide range of opportunities from streamlining the production process, to testing toys for safety and durability, to designing the packaging. Your challenge is to design and create a toy that uses batteries, solar power, hand-held generators, or solenoid magnets to function. Toys that must be plugged into wall outlet are NOT acceptable; these toys should be environmentally-friendly. In order to do this, you must understand and be able to explain the relationship between electricity and magnetism as you construct and analyze electrical circuits. The electrical toy must also be safe and cost-effective. Finally, your team will also design and create the packaging for your environmentally-friendly toy.

O After testing, improve your design. O Make note of the improvements your group made? O What happened when you re-tested? Did you have to improve again? If so, how did you improve? WE WILL PRESENT ON TUESDAY (FINISHED OR NOT)! Options: You have this class period to finish. You can take your toy home to finish. You can come before school on Tuesday.

Use a Post-It Note to “tweet” about the following question: What obstacles did your team come across as you were assembling your toy? Tweet a response…