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Goal

My goal is to enable students to think as young scientists and engineers, helping them to investigate and understand the operation of simple and compound machines found in everyday life. Through the use of legos, I hope to promote challenging classroom environments in which students can develop skills such as creative problem-solving, communication of ideas, and teamwork. The activities encourage students to make initial use of scientific method through observation, reasoning, prediction, and critical thinking. And everybody loves legos!  

What will be done with my students

Students will be fully immersed in the concept and creation of simple machines through the use of Lego brand materials and technology. The Lego Education Simple Machines Curriculum fully aligns with the current first grade STEM standards and goals. The product is reusable, sustainable and can be fully integrated for years to come.

Students will:
- ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation that people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

Principle Model - Gears
Main Activity- Make A Merry Go Round
Problem Solving Activity - Make A Popcorn Cart

Principle Model - Wheels & Axles
Main Activity- Make A Go Cart
Problem Solving Activity - Make A Wheelbarrow

Students will:
- develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps its function as needed to solve a given problem.

Principle Model - Levers
Main Activity- Make A Catapult
Problem Solving Activity - Make A Railroad Crossing Gate

Principle Model - Pulleys
Main Activity- Crazy Floors
Problem Solving Activity - Make A Crane 

Benefits to my students

The entire grade level student population will benefit from hands-on, open-ended learning with a product that they know and love. I am hoping to motivate our students to think for themselves and develop new ways of approaching problems. I want to foster their entrepreneurial spirit and encourage experimentation. With the acquired knowledge and self-determination, they might actually invent a machine that will clean their room!

The Simple Machines Student Classroom Packs would benefit and be shared among a team of 8 first grade classes(150 students) on a rotation schedule.

The Simple Machines Activity Pack is fully aligned with all current standards and features the 16 principle activities, teacher notes, student worksheets, images for classroom use, classroom management tips, glossary, and an element survey that helps monitor the student's understanding of the concept being taught.  

Budget Narrative

The Simple Machines Classroom Packs (24 students) includes 12 Simple Machines Sets to be shared by pairs of students. This purchase also includes 1 Simple Machines Activity Pack with technology resources that helps the teacher fully integrate science, technology, engineering, and math.

 

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