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Listed under:  Technologies  >  Machinery
Interactive

experiMENTALS: Gravity defying wheel

This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students about the process of demonstrating resistance to change in a spinning a bike wheel to observe the principles of a gyroscope.

Interactive

Gravity

Students use this resource consisting of four slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that gravity is a force of attraction which acts on Earth towards the centre of the planet, and that the size of the force of gravity depends on the mass of each object and the distance between them. There ...

Video

Understanding Magnets

In this simulation students select an object made of one of two materials (either iron or aluminium) and use magnets to guide the object through a maze. Engages students while they learn that aluminium is not attracted to magnets but iron is.

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Keys on a shoelace

This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students to show that keys on a shoelace can do some unexpected things.

Text

Stomp Rocket Design Challenge

This resource provides a scaffold for students to complete a design challenge. The design challenge requires students to create a stomp rocket that can travel to a chosen planet in the solar system. The design challenge can also be used to investigate forces and energy. It can be delivered over a number of lessons, or it ...

Online

Sphero slalom lesson

In this lesson students explore slalom sports and how competitors maximise speed when completing a course. Students research different slalom sports and then share their findings with the class. Students investigate the impact of distance and friction on time to complete a course through digital and unplugged activities. ...

Text

Physics of video games lesson

In this lesson students build a simple Pong game in Scratch and consider the physics involved in the game play. They then apply their understanding of force and motion to design their own video game concept. The resource includes links to downloadable lesson plan, websites, videos, apps and an assessment rubric. The lesson ...

Text

Cardboard Automata

This activity invites students to explore simple mechanical elements such as cams, levers, and linkages, while creating a moving sculpture. This activity is simple to start but may become more and more complex as students become familiar with possible motions and imagine ways to artistically decorate their contraption. ...

Text

Whimsical Whirligigs

This activity invites students to design and make Whimsical Whirligigs, kinetic contraptions that can be powered by wind, crank, or motor. Students can create wind-powered paper creatures or machines with moving parts. A The activity includes a list of tools and materials required, assembly instructions, inspiration and ...

Text

Balancing Sculptures

This activity invites students to explore balance and stability by designing and building whimsical kinetic sculptures that tilt, slide, and suspend everyday objects and ordinary materials into surprising arrangements. Students explore stability, centres of gravity, balanced forces and symmetry through this hands-on, tactile ...

Text

Cranky Contraptions

This activity invites students to make Cranky Contraptions, kinetic sculptures that animate a character or scene when a handle is turned. These automata are powered by a simple crank slider mechanism which provides the basic motion. Everyday materials around can be repurposed into these contraptions. The activity includes ...