1. Julie Thomas, Ph.D. Oklahoma State University, 2011
Bobbleheads
Julie Thomas, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State University, 2011

2. Why Bobble Heads?
What makes the bobble head dogs a plausible activity for middle level students is that it provides the opportunity to explore principles of force and motion, systems, and simple machines, in that the bobble head dog itself is a first class lever! Foster, 2003

3. Purpose
Explore the relationship between force and motion in a simple machine
Make observations and predictions.
Construct a bobble head thing using simple materials.

4. Observation Observe the dog and how its head moves.
Think of a question about how the dog’s head is put together to make it ready for movement. The question may be answered only with a “Yes” or a “No.”

5. Prediction
Now, use your observations and the information from the class discussion to write out your prediction of how you think the dog works.
Support your prediction with evidence from your observations.
Draw a labeled illustration of your prediction of what the inside of the dog might look like.

6. Look Inside
Now carefully pull off the dog’s head and observe how it is put together.
Draw the actual mechanical design of the dog and explain how it works.

7. Construction
Using the materials provided, construct your own shaky head thing.
Draw a picture of your creation. Label the parts. Describe how it moves with regard to what you have learned.

8. Assessment Rubric which addresses scoring in three domains:
Bobability—Does the object “bob” more than 5 seconds?
Justification—Can students explain the relationship between force and motion?
Construction—How well engineered is the object?

9. Inquiring Minds

10. Team Effort

11. Data-Driven Decisions

12. Turkey

13. Chicken

14. Ladybug