Simple Machine Projects & Science Fair

Although this was a short week with QPT day and a snow day, we still got a lot accomplished.  One of our biggest accomplishments was completing our autobiographies.  Next week we will begin looking at how to write our own fairy tales.  Although we have looked at fairy tales in the past we will take a further look at all its' elements.  These stories will be focusing on creating a setting, character development, a beginning, series of events, an ending, a problem, and a solution.  

This week we also completed our overview of the 6 simple machines:  inclined plane, screw, wedge, lever, pulley, and wheel and axle.  We looked at each simple machine and made a list of several different types of that machine.  For example wedge; book ends, door stoppers, wheel wedge to keep wheels from moving, saw, axe, knives, etc...  

After researching each type of simple machine, students decided they wanted to share their knowledge with others in our school.  One student made the comment that they should work with a couple of friends to make a simple machine.  Using her idea, we allowed each student to choose which simple machine they wanted to help create.  Once the students made their choice I introduced them as "engineering teams."  Each team had a "project manager" that was to lead a meeting and write down their teammates ideas.  Each engineer on the team gave an idea of a type of simple machine they wanted to make.  Here are some photos of the students working together in a collaboratively.  

For the next couple weeks, we will be investigating the simple machines with our teams.  I will continue to keep you updated.  

We also had our science fair this week.  Our station consisted of the 6 different simple machines.  I must say that our station was a hit!  The students loved using the screwdriver to screw and unscrew screws.  They also enjoyed the pulley that one of our students made with his grandfather, using a hammer as a lever to remove nails.  They also loved the inclined plane to race cars!  I have added some photos of the students exploring the other science stations.    

Mixing red and blue to make purple!

 Light shadows

 

 Tornado in a bottle

****Please take a look at the "Save the Date"  This is March madness week!****

March 11th- Hat Day

March 12th- Wacky Day

March 13th- Favorite Team Day

March 14th- Blast From the Past Day

March 15th-  "Go Green" Day 

Have a wonderful week and lets hope our beautiful weather from this week continues! 

Mrs. Julie Atkin