Simple Machines Science Projects

Simple Machines Project
Grade 5
March/April 2010

Simple machines are EVERYWHERE!!! Now that we have learned a bit about the different kinds of simple machines and how they work, you are going to put what you know into action. You may choose to do one of the following projects. You need to think about your strengths as a student and choose the project that you feel you will do the best on. All projects will require a presentation. Each project is worth 50 points and will be a large part of your science grade for the quarter. The due dates and work times will be listed below. I am excited to see what you can come up with—be creative! You are scientists!

Schedule for Simple Machines Project

Monday, March 29, 2010 Introduction to Simple Machines Project
Wednesday, March 31 Project Ideas due and Work Day

WORK AT HOME OVER THE WEEKEND

Monday, April 5 Work at Home
Tuesday, April 6 work time at school, work at home
Wed,. April 7 Projects Due/ Presentations


Project #1: PowerPoint Presentation

For this project you will need to research the simple machines and give a PowerPoint presentation to the class. You will need to create an 8-10 slide presentation including the following

Title slide (name of presentation)
A slide for each simple machine (six)
Describe what it does
History of the simple machine, what has it been used for?
Real life examples of this with pictures

You may also include slides that tell interesting facts or use more than one slide for the pictures. Check your presentation for spelling errors.

Project #2: Create a “Rube Goldberg” Machine

Rube Goldberg was an artist who made cartoons of simple machines put together to do a common task. If you choose this project you will be responsible for creating a “cartoon” design of a “Rube Goldberg” type machine and actually build it for a presentation.

The requirement of this project is to construct an 8 step (or greater) machine to do a common household task. You must use a minimum of four simple machines in your task. You will be graded on the following parts:

Plan

You need to create a plan on paper that shows exactly what you are trying to accomplish. See the cartoon below for an example. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a “cartoon” but just a blueprint of what exactly you will build or construct.

Construction/Demonstration
You will need to construct your design and make it work to create the task that you are trying to accomplish. This can be done one of two ways. You may create the machine at home and record with a video camera your machine and how it works and then bring the tape to school so we can watch it working, or you may actually bring your parts to school and set it up here for the demonstration. While you are presenting, be prepared to show what the simple machines are and what types. Be ready to explain the steps of your process.

Project #3: Become and Engineer!

Do you have ideas for your own gadgets? See if you can use the concept of simple machines to invent something new. Think about problems that you have around the house doing something. Can you design a machine to do it for you?

For this project you will need to do three things:

Plan

Create a blueprint of your gadget. You should show what your invention will look like and identify the simple machines that will be used to build it. This will communicate your idea and help you to build it.


Create a Prototype

Create your gadget. Try to use as many things around the house as you can or recyclable materials. You should bring it to class with you on the day of your presentation and be ready to show the class how it works. It should be working!!

Presentation

Show the class what you have invented and what it will be used for. Explain how you got your idea and who would use it.