Products in Motion
In this task, students study force, motion and energy and the application of these scientific principles through simple machines. Students explore the differences between potential and kinetic energy, various sources of energy, the conversion and transfer of energy in a system/circuit and real world applications (e.g. the technologies behind a warehouse/fulfillment logistics system such as that used by Amazon.com to move products from the distribution center to the buyer). Student learning culminates in the development of a machine that moves an object (product) from one point to another. Additionally, students learn about sustainable technology and renewable energy resources and investigate how they might utilize these in their designs.
Students will meet these goals in their explorations:
• Become familiar with the six types of simple machines
• Understand the differences between potential and kinetic energy
• Explore force, motion, and energy, including the Law of Conservation of Energy
Students are expected to show the process it took to create the machine by designing:
1) a visual blue-print or design layout
2) a weekly written log of work completed
3) prototype or a computer generated model of the completed simple machine which moves a product from point A to point B.
Resources: "Texas Performance Standards Project." : Middle School Grade Level (6-8) Tasks. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.