Rebuild Our Playground Using Simple Machines
Patricia Perry
The Forward School
Introduction:
Andy King wants to redo the Agnus Haywood Park on 216 and Barnes. The playground equipment that is currently at the park is outdates, old, rusted, and beyond repair. Due to the atrocious equipment in the park, very few children play at Agnus Haywood Park. Mr. King has funding for the community; however, he is not sure how he should use the funds, or what equipment students would want. We need your help!
Task:
Help rebuild our park!! Our park is sad and old. It has become a location known for its rusty equipment where no children want to play. Your task is to choose or create equipment that children will enjoying using, thus cause them to frequently visit the park. The catch, you must use a variety of simple machines in your designs and ideas. For each piece of equipment that you choose, you must identify the simple machine(s) represented. You must choose a minimum of 5 pieces of equipment, and use a minimum of 3 different simple machines. Examples of park equipment have been provided below, for your reference, if needed.
For instance,
Equipment- Ramp to enter the park
Simple Machine- Inclined plane
Process:
You will be placed in groups of four.
In order to develop your report, use the 6 step public policy analysis format found on the website. BE SURE TO COMPLETE EACH WORKSHEET
Complete PPA worksheets 1-6:
1. Define your problem. What needs to be fixed? Worksheet 1
2. Gather Evidence of the Problem- Provide evidence that a problem exists. How do you know there is a problem with the Agnus Haywood Park? Worksheet 2
3. Identify the causes of the problem- What caused the problem to occur? Worksheet 3
4. Evaluate a Policy- What policies are already established to help the problem? What are the benefits? What are the drawbacks? Worksheet 4
5. Develop Your Own Solutions- How can you fix the problem? What are different pieces of equipment that would benefit the park? Worksheet 5
6. Select the best Solutions- Take into consideration the limited space we have, safety, accessibility to resources to build the equipment, Worksheet 6
Things to remember!!!!
1. Use a minimum of 3 simple machines
- Wheel and axle
- Wedge
- Inclined plane
- Screw
- Pulley
- Lever
2. Be sure to:
- Describe which simple machine you are using
- Support why these machines should be used
3. Draw or build it
** Use this Google slide presentation to review the 6 simple machines and examples of each **
Evaluation:
Your group will be evaluated based on the following rubric.
|
Rubric |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Research Worksheet |
The research worksheet is complete and correct. Complete sentences were used |
The research worksheet is mostly complete and correct. Complete sentences were used. |
The research worksheet is somewhat complete and correct. Complete sentences were partially used. |
The research worksheet is incomplete or inaccurate. Complete sentences were not used. |
|
PPA steps |
The PPA worksheets are thoughtfully complete. The worksheets demonstrate that the group worked well together |
The PPA worksheets are mostly thoughtful and complete. The worksheets demonstrate that the group worked well together. |
The PPA worksheets are somewhat thoughtful and complete. The worksheets demonstrate that the group worked somewhat together. |
The PPA worksheets are incomplete or lacking thought. The worksheets demonstrate that the group did not work well together. |
|
Description of how simple machines are used for each piece of equipment |
Groups described in detail what simple machines are used in all of the playground equipment |
Groups described in detail what simple machines are used in all of the playground equipment, but may contain minimal errors |
Groups described what simple machines were used in the playground equipment, but either described the wrong simple machine or only provided simple machines for 2 pieces of equipment |
Group lacks description of what simple machines were used, or Group provided simple machines for only 1 piece of equipment |
|
Illustrations or models created |
Group provided a detailed illustration of their design or created a detailed model of at least 3 pieces of equipment |
Group provided an illustration of their design or created a model of at least 2 pieces of equipment |
Group provided a vague illustration or an incomplete model of at least 2 pieces of equipment |
Group provided a vague illustration or an incomplete model of only 1 piece of equipment |
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific
word choice on meaning and tone
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3
Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking
measurements, or performing technical tasks.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.4
Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words
and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context
relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7
Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text
with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart,
diagram, model, graph, or table).
Resources:
Do you need to review simple machines? Click below
http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
Refresh your memory on simple machines!!
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/simple-machines-games.html