PICK YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT Information HANDOUT – GRADE 8 Mechanical Systems Choice 1 – GROUP of 3 Project Ideas Choice 2 - ALONE Vehicle Imaginary Device To Design and Construct a working model (prototype) of a Rube Goldberg Mousetrap that will catch an (imaginary) mouse The purpose of this project is to reinforce the concepts of mechanical advantage, speed ratio and efficiency in a mechanical device. Rube Goldberg Machine Rube Goldberg was an artist who designed devices that were useless. His devices were complicated impractical contraptions that performed a common everyday task. Prototype must be your own design. Testing. You must have at least 5 different actions performed by different simple machines that will end up by catching a mouse in your mousetrap. (This mousetrap does not have to be spring loaded and the mouse you catch should be a plush mouse toy, NOT a real live mouse.) Project Report should include: Design (Cartoon sketch) Step-by-step action sequence Construction Details Troubleshooting Mousetrap Racer Your mousetrap powered vehicle can be really fast, or can go a very long distance. You need to decide what function your design will achieve Materials: Race Vehicle powered by a single mousetrap. The materials you use are up to you, but the only power source your vehicle can have is a single standard spring-loaded mousetrap. Mousetrap Vehicle Guidelines: Complete a poster (11x17), which outlines the details of your design and highlights the use of the simple machines and scientific principles your vehicle makes use of. Earn points for speed and distance. Become the record holder for this school. Project Report Required Project Report Required Choice 3 – ALONE or w/ Partner Mousetrap Vehicle Guidelines Mechanical Device With the power of a single, spring-loaded mousetrap, how far can you hurl a hacky sack? Criteria Description … Design Complete a poster (11x17), which outlines the details of your design and highlights the use of the simple machines and scientific principles your vehicle makes use of. 10 Scientific Principles What scientific principles (key concepts) that you have learned in the Unit are applied to the vehicle you have created. 10 Model Race Vehicle powered only by a single mousetrap. The materials you use are up to you, but the only power source your vehicle can have is a single standard – spring loaded mousetrap. 10 Challenge Earn points for speed and distance. Become the record holder for this school. 20 Mousetrap Catapult Design and build a working model of a Mousetrap Catapult that compliments the following Units: Structures and Forces (Grade 7) Mechanical Systems (Grade 8) Materials: Catapult powered by a single mousetrap. The materials you use are up to you, but the only power source your catapult can have is a single standard spring-loaded mousetrap. Mousetrap Catapult Guidelines: Complete a poster (11x17), which outlines the details of your design and highlights the use of the simple machines and scientific principles your device makes use of. Earn points for distance. Become the record holder for this school. Project Report Required Mark Total 50 ASSESSMENT (CHECK SCIENCE PROJECT RUBRIC FOR DETAILED OUTLINE OF ASSESSMENT) Self Evaluation Peer Evaluation Teacher Analysis (RUBRIC) Report Presentation 10% 10% 40% 20% 20% PICK YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT Information HANDOUT – GRADE 8 Mechanical Systems - Project Ideas Choice 4 – ALONE Handmade / Homemade Toys In by gone days children couldn’t buy toys because they were too expensive. So they learn to build their own toys out of materials that are readily available at home. These handmade/homemade toys can ultimately introduce you to concepts dealing with mechanics and physical science principles. The purpose of this project choice is to Introduce you to the idea of making something simple and useful for a specific purpose – HAVING FUN. Examples … THE TRACTOR THE CABLE CAR THE TELEPHONE Using an empty thread spool make a simple machine (a tractor) that can provide endless hours of enjoyment The design of this toy can also help in understanding the mousetrap-powered car and other mousetrap devices. Using 2 empty tin cans and a length of wire, make your corded phone to communicate great distances Build each example, demonstrate how each works and explain the science principles enabling it to work. Project Report Required ( ORAL or WRITTEN ) Choice 5 – ALONE SIMPLY AMAZING SIMPLE MACHINES The purpose of this project is to reinforce the concepts of simple machines performing simple tasks, by creating a KIT that includes the six different types of simple machines. The Amazing Simple Machine KIT CONTENTS: Six simple machine prototypes, including: Lever (3 classes) Inclined plane Wedge Pulley Screw Wheel and Axle Provide 3 activities on 3 different index cards (3x5 or 5x7) for each simple machine that helps to explain their function and action. Materials: The simple machines should be handmade. Use of materials is limited to what is readily available to you at home or in the classroom. (no premade simple machines will be accepted) Kit Guidelines: Kit should be no larger than a shoebox and should have all six simple machines Activity cards included. Completed Kit with explanation of how to use each simple machine will represent the Report Project Report Required ( ORAL or WRITTEN ) ASSESSMENT (CHECK SCIENCE PROJECT RUBRIC FOR DETAILED OUTLINE OF ASSESSMENT) Self Evaluation 10% Peer Evaluation 10% Teacher Analysis (RUBRIC) 40% Report 20% Presentation 20%
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