Simple Machines Webquest

Simple Machines Invention WebQuest

By Betty Carlson
Auke Bay Elementary
Juneau, Alaska

Introduction

As you explore this WebQuest you will learn about the six simple machines, their history, and how they make our lives easier along with the patent process. You will also get to create your own complex machine made up of simple machines

NEWS FLASH--- Rube Goldberg, (click here:Machine Contest ) a famous wacky machine cartoonist, has lost his creativity. He is sending out a mass alert to children everywhere with imaginations to help him. The only problem is that the patent board needs to patent your invention so that Rube can use it.

Task

It is your job in this WebQuest to invent a new machine. Not just any machine, but a compound machine based on the work of Rube Goldberg. You will need to use at least three simple machines in an unusual arrangement to accomplish a simple task. Rube doesn't have much time until his next cartoon is due so he is asking that each kid in your team of 3 children specialize. Your group needs to make the wacky invention and convince the patent board that your invention will benefit the most people and reap the most money. Here are your jobs:

One person can be in charge of patent information
One person can be in charge of simple machine research
One person can be in charge of Rube Goldberg research and researching inventors in our history click here. The Invention Dimension: Inventor of the Week Archives
You are all in charge of communicating and working together so that your team is the first one to get the patent for the new Rube Goldberg design.

Your task is to do the following:
First and foremost you are in charge of keeping track of when things are due and what is due by looking at the process section of this unit.

Research the type of cartoons that Rube Goldberg makes and begin to think of a machine that could help Rube regain his sense of creativity. Draw a cartoon of the machine your group is planning on making.
Research the six types of simple machines: pulley, screw, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, and wedge. Use the worksheet below.
Research how a person goes about getting a patent. Fill out the worksheet below.
Begin making the complex machine.
Put together a presentation for the patent review board.
Present your patent to the patent review board.

Information Sources* you will need to copy and paste this application into a WORD or WORKS document so that you can fill it out.

Simple Machines Information Sheet

Names _____________________________________________________
1. Write the definition of the six simple machines and draw a picture of each machine.
a. Pulley--Picture:

Definition: _______________________________________________________

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b. Screw--Picture:

Definition: _______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

c. Inclined Plane--Picture:

Definition: _______________________________________________________

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d. Wheel&Axle--Picture:

Definition: _______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

e. Wedge--Picture:

Definition: _______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

f. Lever--Picture:

Definition: _______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

* you will need to copy and paste this application into a WORD or WORKS document so that you can fill it out.

Simple Machines Patent Application

Name __________________________________ Date _____________________

Address ___________________________________________________________

Occupation ________________________________________________________

Name of your simple machine _________________________________________

1. Draw your Rube Goldberg looking picture here:

2. Describe what your simple machine looks like. Use scientific names i.e.. screw, incline plane, etc...

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3. Describe how your simple machine is used to make work easier.

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4. Describe how the simple machine works.

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Process

Below is a timeline of what you will be working on and when each thing is due. If you finish something early think of the following things: Did I do my best? Did I include everything that was required? Did I have a peer edit my work? Did I have Ms. Carlson review my project? If your answers are all yes then begin working ahead of the class on the next area of the project. Notice due dates are in purple.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
1/1/01 Last day of Winter Break NO SCHOOL	1/2/01 KWL Chart What do you know? What do you want to learn? How do you want to learn it?	1/3/01 Research Rube Goldberg style Simple machines How to get a patent	1/4/01 Research Rube Goldberg style Simple machines How to get a patent
1/8/01 Research Rube Goldberg style Simple machines How to get a patent Two teams Conference with Ms. Carlson in reference to your progress	1/9/01 Research Rube Goldberg style Simple machines How to get a patent Another two teams Conference with Ms. Carlson in reference to your progress	1/10/01 Research Rube Goldberg style Simple machines How to get a patent	1/11/01 Research Rube Goldberg style Simple machines How to get a patent
1/15/01 Martin Luther King Day NO SCHOOL	1/16/01 Rube Goldberg looking picture due to Ms. Carlson. Include labels of simple machines used (at least 3) Simple machine research worksheet filled out completely	1/17/01 Begin Building Machine	1/18/01 building
1/22/01 Building Two teams Conference with Ms. Carlson in reference to your progress	1/23/01 Building Another two teams Conference with Ms. Carlson in reference to your progress	1/24/01 Building	1/25/01 Building
1/29/01 Building Begin to think about your patent	1/30/01 Building Begin to think about your patent	1/31/01 Building Begin to think about your patent	2/1/01 Building Begin to think about your patent
2/5/01 Finish Building Work on patent and presentation	2/6/01 Finish Building Work on patent and presentation	2/7/01 Finish Building Work on patent and presentation	2/8/01 Have Ms. Carlson review your finished complex machine. Have a peer edit your teams patent application
2/12/01 Polish off any last minute suggestions from peers or Ms. Carlson. Revise patent application Practice your presentation to the patent review board.	2/13/01 Patent Review board informs participants of rules and regulations. Group #1 presents machine to patent board	2/14/01 Group #2 and #3 presents machine to patent board	2/15/01 Group #4 presents machine to patent board

Evaluation

Your group will be evaluated on how well you complete this task. Your group will need to turn in the following:

A list of simple machines and how they work.
A patent application.
A completed complex machine

Points will be given based on the following:

How complete is your simple machine list?
Did you construct your invention in the Rube Goldberg style?
How well did you follow directions?
Did you use at least 3 simple machines?

Did you accurately label all the simple machines in your invention cartoon?

Complex Machine Rubric

DEVELOPING IN PROGRESS MEETS EXPECTATIONS EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

Carried Out Plan Lacked a plan; not complete Completed with frequent assistance Completed with little help Followed through well; self-motivated

Creativity Used others ideas Typical looking machine Creative, added more than the typical looking groups machine Unique ideas; novel; fresh

Effort/task commitment Resistant Inadequate for task Appropriate effort and time on task Extensive effort; uses time well

Group Cooperation Inappropriate; resistant Appropriate cooperation Listens well; help others; shares Encourages and redirects others back to task

Integration of knowledge of Simple Machines Unable to apply skills Uses information and skills in only one subject area Uses information and skills in several subject areas Consistently integrates information and skills

Problem Solving Inappropriate solution Incomplete or flawed Appropriate process application, and analysis Higher level solution; innovative; synthesizes

Time Management Did not complete Task Needed frequent assistance Used Time appropriately Mature management

Resources Inappropriate A few resources used appropriately Appropriate in number, kind, and use Extensive and varied; uses technology
Resource:
Kingore, B. (1999). Assessment:Time-Saving Procedures For Busy Teachers. Professional Associates: Austin, TX.

ConclusionAt the end of this WebQuest you will have learned what the six simple machines are and how they are used. You have learned about a new way to make your life easier by creating a new machine. You will know who Rube Goldberg was and how he used simple machines to invent new machines. You will know how the patent process works and why it is necessary.

In conclusion I want you to think about the following questions:
How do you think early man developed the pulley?
How many simple machines remind you of an inclined plane?
Think of a machine in real life that uses all of the simple machines that you learned about.

Last updated November 29, 2000