The Grade Six Simple Machine Project

I. Briefly review the project form. Discuss the project theme, outline and time line; review the project and curriculum objectives.

The project grew out of the new science curriculum. In particular, the science unit on simple machines. The project was seen as a way to develop meaningful resource material while allowing the students to explore further than they would have the opportunity using text material alone. The project began with students learning about simple machines and the different kinds of forces effecting motion. It then progressed to the students exploring the six simple machines and how they work. They searched CD ROM and print reference material, in addition to searching the Internet for further and more detailed information on simple machines. Any relevant web sites the students found were emailed to Mrs. Collier so she could easily share them with other students and teachers.

Students further investigated how simple machines have made our lives easier by decreasing work. Students were then challenged to invent a new machine to help decrease work using principals of one of the six simple machines. Once a student chose a design they researched the simple machine upon which the design was based and wrote a short report about how it works. Students built their simple machines at home and brought them into school. They kept a journal of their progress while constructing the simple machines. The machines were put on display in the classroom and each student gave a demonstration or presentation on his/her invention. After the presentations, inventions were displayed throughout the school. Pictures of the inventions were taken with a digital camera and a web page was created to show some of the machines, as well as to provide useful web sites about simple machines. Other schools using this new science unit were told about the project and invited to visit the site as a teacher and a student resource.

II. Show the audience the outcome of the project proposal.

Results and a tour of the project can be seen at: http://www.k12.nf.ca/newtown/6machine/machine.html

III. Briefly comment on any successes or problems that were encountered throughout the life of the project.

The project was very successful. All three classes of grade six students worked on the simple machine research and development of inventions. Then Mrs. Gatherall and a smaller number of students planned the site as a team. Jobs were divided among the students and finished pages were emailed to Mrs Gatherall. Students were very proud of the work with both the simple machine inventions and the development of the site. There was a lot of pride in the fact they were helping not only other students but teachers as well. Sharing the inventions both in class and throughout the school was an opportunity to show their success in inventing. While it was at times inconvenient to pull out groups of students from scheduled classes to work on web page development, ALL students felt a responsibility and ownership of the final results; a very focussing project.

IV. Comment on any aspects of the project that you would do differently.

If this project were to be started again more student results, i.e. inventions would be put on the site.

V. Comment on if and how the project can be expanded next year.

Add in video clips of inventions and student presentations demonstrating how they worked.

If you are presenting a project other than your own, provide brief anecdotes of the project leader's experiences.

Mrs. Gatherall judges this a very successful project which would be useful to others. She likes to see teachers collaborate and share ideas rather than all begin from scratch and teach in isolation. Mrs. Collier has led the other two grade 6 teachers through other science units as well. Her unit on the body systems was very motivational for the students as they were engaged in similar creative activities. That unit may be the next to be developed as an online teachers' resource. The development of pride in students' own work has carried over to other areas. It has also developed their confidence in web page making and Internet researching. The science technology co-ordinator shared this site with other grade 6 science teachers in the board and has had some positive feedback as to the usefulness of the site.