Types of Motion - Rube Goldberg Machines
In this fun lesson students are asked to examine how Rube Goldberg’s over engineered machine works and examine the types of motion inherent within it. They will then design with their own contraption which has the same functions as the Goldberg machine and incorporate the types of motion they have discovered during their examination. The accompanying extension task asks students to research Rube Goldberg and to design ‘in the style of’.
Skills and learning:
Imagination
Lateral thinking
Types of motion
Engineering
Drawing and perspective skills
Research and interpretation skills
Annotation and technical drawing
Reuse and Refill - Supermarket reduction of packaging
Waitrose is trailing a scheme to reduce product packaging by asking customers to bring in their own reusable containers which they can fill with unpackaged produce such as cereals, fruit and detergent. This cover lesson requires students to examine and design a way for customers to transport their containers to and from the supermarket.
The resource includes an extension task which requires students to further examine how Supermarkets can reduce packaging waste.
Skills and learning:
Imagination
Lateral thinking
Environmental concerns for the present and future world
Real world tasks
Drawing and perspective skills
Fiscal and economic considerations
Annotation and technical drawing
Anti-Litter Machine – Heath Robinson
In this fun lesson students are asked to examine how Heath Robinson’s over engineered Anti-Litter Machine works and design with their own more effective contraptions. The accompanying extension task asks students to research Heath Robinson and to design ‘in the style of’.
Skills and learning:
Imagination
Lateral thinking
Types of motion
Engineering
Drawing and perspective skills
Research and interpretation skills
Annotation and technical drawing
Design a Christmas Cracker
Legend has it that Christmas Crackers were first designed by confectioner Tom Smith to sell his sweets at Christmas time. He was inspired by the ‘bon bon’ wrapper design that he had seen on his travels in France. He added the ‘snap’ when the cracker was pulled apart and put in a joke or riddle along with the sweet and they have remained a popular part of the festive season ever since!
Students are asked to design a festive cracker for Christmas – cutting out the template and using drawing and colour to create their own stand out Christmas decoration. The worksheet includes teacher instructions and an extension task for high achievers.
Skills practised:
Imagination
Drawing skills
Use of shape and colour
Hand skills and accuracy
Shape and function