Summer Camp
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Extreme Machines
All Materials Copyright ©2010 PCS Edventures, Inc.
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
All Materials Copyright ©2010 PCS Edventures, Inc. All rights reserved.
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This curriculum book, as well as the web services described in it, are furnished under license and may be used or copied only in
accordance with the terms of such license. The content of this manual is furnished for educational use only, is subject to change
without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by PCS Edventures, Inc. PCS Edventures, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this book.
Except as permitted by such license, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of PCS.
PCS Edventures!, the PCS Academy of Robotics, and the PCS Academy of Engineering are trademarks of PCS Edventures, Inc.
in the USA and other countries.
fishertechnik, #93290, Universal Machines II and other fischertechnik marks are owned by fischertechnik and may be registered.
All products or brand names are the trademarks of their respective holders.
Defense Logistics Information Service Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code: 3KBY0
EXTREME SIMPLE MACHINES
OVERVIEW FOR TEACHERS
INTRODUCTION TO THE EXTREME SIMPLE MACHINES:
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Engineering plays a critical role in the modern world. Elements of engineering can be found in nearly every device we use from toasters to
roller coasters! It is of paramount importance that we encourage students to pursue careers in engineering, science and technology. The
PCS Extreme Simple Machines Camp is a project-based learning environment in which students explore many facets of engineering
design through participation in exciting hands-on activities. Through participation in challenge projects, students will discover and apply the
underlying principles of engineering.
Some direct benefits of student participation in this curriculum include:
• Improvements in test scores
• Gains in self esteem
• Gains in critical thinking skills
• Experience in real world applications
• Gains in problem solving skills
of math and science
• Experience in real world work skills
• Exposure to a life long learning paradigm
This introductory curriculum will expose students to fascinating engineering projects in a session format. We hope that it will
encourage you to integrate a complete PCS Academy of Engineering as part of your program.
ABOUT THE PCS SIMPLE MACHINES CAMP CURRICULUM:
This book is designed for educators organizing an introductory class. The sessions can be organized into a week of half-day camps or onehour classes introducing simple machines in a semester, or in a variety of other formats depending on your program.
Each class session is organized into:
(a) A short session introducing the concept and history of simple machines (approximately 10 minutes);
(b) Building activity, generally utilizing step-by-step building plans (approximately 30 minutes);
(c) Optional challenge activity for advanced students or students who finish early;
(d) Clean up time (approximately 10 minutes);
(e) End-of-class group discussion activity or challenge (approximately 10 minutes)
The outlines provided serve as a general outline of a schedule, and will vary greatly based on student ability. It is meant to be tailored to each class' needs. Do not try to accomplish every project if time runs short. The intention is to give you enough tools to fill
an hour-long class easily.
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EXTREME SIMPLE MACHINES
OVERVIEW FOR TEACHERS
SIMPLE MACHINES ADDRESSED IN THIS CAMP:
COMMON EXAMPLES OF SIMPLE MACHINES:
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1. Introduction to the Lab
2. Trebuchet (FIRST CLASS LEVER)
3. Diving Board (SECOND CLASS LEVER)
4. Catapult (THIRD CLASS LEVER)
5. Tow Truck (WHEEL AND AXLE)
6. Shop Crane (PULLEY)
7. Block and Tackle (PULLEY)
8. Fan/Windmill (INCLINED PLANE)
9. Screw Press (SCREW)
10. Ultimate Machine Capstone project
FIRST CLASS LEVER: Bottle openers and teeter-totters.
SECOND CLASS LEVER: Wheelbarrows and doors
THIRD CLASS LEVER: Baseball bats, and fishing rods
WHEEL AND AXLE: Door knobs, vehicle wheel and axles, and screwdrivers.
PULLEY: Pulleys, block and tackle
INCLINED PLANE: Ramps
SCREW: Hand drills and automatic garage door openers
STANDARD ALIGNMENT:
MISSOURI CURRICULUM SCOPE AND SEQUENCE STRAND 2: PROPERTIES AND PRINCIPLE OF FORCE AND MOTION
SIMPLE MACHINES (p25)
(a) Explain how work can be done on an object (force applies an distance moved)
(b) Recognize simple machines change the amount of effort force and/or direction of force
(d) Identify the simple machines in common tools and household items.
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EXTREME SIMPLE MACHINES
OVERVIEW FOR TEACHERS
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
UNPACKING KITS
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Gather all camp materials together. Camp materials will include:
• fischertechnik Universal Machines II kits
• and other materials (paper, pencils, etc.).
Open one of the Universal Machines II kit bags. Inside the kit, you will see several small bags of assorted fischertechnik elements.
Remove and discard any advertising materials. Open the baggies and place the elements into one of the blue tubs. Repeat this
process for all of the Universal Machines II kits. Clearly number each of the blue tubs. Kits will be checked out to student teams
during the class, and students will be responsible for the contents of each kit. You will have one kit per tub.
PART TIPS & HINTS
String, once cut, should have the ends tied or taped to prevent fraying.
Fischertechnik parts are measured in millimeters and angle blocks are measured in degrees.
The Angle Block 7.5 and Building Block 5 are very similar when sorting.
Plastic Axles are flat on the ends and are shiny. Clip Axles are duller and have a slot in the end. The differences
are subtle, so watch for this. Clip Axles come in the following lengths (in millimeters): 30, 45, 60, and 75, 90,
and 180.
Bearing Sleeves, Sleeve 15s, Clip Adapters, and the Axle Couplings are very similar.Note the differences.
black
red
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Spring Cam
Adapter Girth
Rack 60
m=1.5
Clip Axle 30
Large Pulley 60
Clip Axle 20
Tire 32.5
Case with Disc
Clip 5
Cog Wheel T10
Wide
NOMENCLATURE
Angle Girder 120
Gear Wheel T20
Strut Adapter
Gear Wheel T30
Mounting Plate
15x45
Hinged Block
Claw
Hinged Block
Tab
Wheel Axle with
Bevel Gear
Clip Axle with
Gear Teeth T28
Angle Girder 60
Bevel Gear with
Sleeve
Clip Axle with
Worm m=1
Spacer Ring
Building Plate
15x30x5 with 3
Grooves
Axle Coupling
Angular Block 60
Worm Nut with
Groove m=1.5
Building Block 7.5
Clip Adapter
Building Plate 15x30x
3.75 with Groove
Bearing Sleeve
(Black)
Building Block 5
with 2 Pins
Locking Worm m=1.5
Clip Axle 90
Hub Nut Worm
Clip Axle 75
Hub Nut (For
gears and pulleys)
Clip Axle 60
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Clip Axle 45
Flat Hub Collet
Link 30
Mounting Plate
15x30
Crank Shaft
Building Block 15
with a bore
Single Rivet 4
Link 15
Building Block 15
with 2 Pins
X-Strut 63.3
Base Plate 120x60
Building Block 30
Wheel 23
Building Block 15
Angular Block
10x15x15
I-Strut 30
I-Strut 75 with
Bore
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EXTREME SIMPLE MACHINES
Introductory Curriculum
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
8
12
16
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34
38
44
50
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Unit #1 Introduction to fischertechnik
Unit #2 First Class Lever Trebuchet
Unit #3 Second Class Lever Diving Board
Unit #4 Third Class Lever Block Flinger
Unit #5 Wheel and Axle Tow Truck
Unit #6 Shop Crane . . . . . . . . . .
Unit #7 Block and Tackle . . . . . .
Unit #8 Inclinded Plane and the Windmill
Unit #9 The Worm Gear Press . .
Unit #10 Design the Ultimate Machine
Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EXTREME SIMPLE MACHINES
UNIT TWO: FIRST CLASS LEVER TREBUCHET
SCHEDULE
Simple machines have been used throughout history! For example,
the trebuchet was a siege weapon used between the 12th and the 15th
centuries that hurled boulders over castle walls.
Trebuchets are a modification of a First Class Lever. In a first class
lever, force is applied to one end of a lever arm, a load on the other,
and a fulcrum somewhere in between.
To fling a projectile, the trebuchet lever arm is pulled back,
which in turn pulls the counterweight up. The counterweight drops when the lever arm is released, pulling the
lever arm into action and the arm swings the projectile
through an arc. The height or distance the projectile is flung
depends on the angle at which it is released.
The instructor will ask students to define the term “Lever.” After eliciting several answers, the instructor will explain that levers are simple
machines. All levers are composed of a boom or a rod, a load (what is
being moved or carried), an effort (the energy moving the rod), and a
fulcrum (the pivot point). A first class lever has the fulcrum located
between the effort and the load. If you exert effort by pushing or
pulling on one end of the lever, the
effort
rod will pivot on the fulcrum and
the other end will move. Some
load
common examples of first class
levers are bottle openers and teetertotters. The instructor will sketch
boom
or demonstrate a first class lever.
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BACKGROUND:
DEMONSTRATION:
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1. Review class objectives.
2. Presentation of lever background material and demonstration.
3. Students join their teams and check out kits.
4. Students construct the trebuchet.
5. Check student progress. Document models as they are constructed.
6. Open building.
7. Students disassemble models. Collect student kits.
fulcrum
OPTIONAL CHALLENGE ACTIVITY:
Students will design a new trebuchet design. Students are challenged
to rebuild their trebuchet to maximize the distance of the thrown
block.
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EXTREME SIMPLE MACHINES
UNIT TWO: FIRST CLASS LEVER TREBUCHET
1 - Plastic
Axle 60
1 - Clip
Axle 180
1 - String
Build...
1. A first class lever has the fulcrum
positioned between the load and the
effort. The trebuchet, an ancient siege
weapon, is an example of a First Class
Lever which integrates a lever arm,
fulcrum, load, and effort.
Load
rum
Effort
2. Begin the trebuchet by inserting a
Girder 30 into the ninth slot on each
side of the Base Plate 120x60.
Fulc
10 - Building 7 - Building
Block 15
Block 30
4 - Angle
Girder 15
1 - Base Plate 120x60
2 - Clip 5
2 - Clip
Adapter
4 - Angle 1 - Angle
Girder 30 Girder 60
3. Insert an Angle Block 30 Degrees
into the fourth slot on each side of the
Base Plate 120x60. The incline of the
Angle Block should face the Girders.
Insert a Spring Cam into the slot of
each Angle Block.
4. Add in order, to the top of both
Girder 30s: an Angle Girder 15 and a
Building Block 15. Be sure the
Building Block 15 slots are aligned
with the slots on the base plate.
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2 - Angle
Girder 120
Name: _______________________________________ Date: _____________________
1 - Wheel
Axle
2- Spring 4 - Building
Cam
Block 15
with Bore
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1 - Building
Block 7.5
4 - Link
30
3 - Angular 2 - Angular
Block 30
Block 60
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Parts
Required
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EXTREME SIMPLE MACHINES
UNIT TWO: FIRST CLASS LEVER TREBUCHET
6. Add an Angle Block 60 to the rear
face of the far Building Block 15.
Connect the two Angle Blocks with an
Angle Girder 15 and a Angle Girder 30.
9. Connect the five block stacks
together with four Link 30s.
7. Finish the sides of the trebuchet by
adding, in order a Girder 120 to the top
of each Building Block 15, and then a
Building Block 15 with Bore. Set the
model aside.
10. Add a Building Block 7.5 onto
the pin of the center Building Block
30. Add a Girder 60 on the block,
and then a Building Block 15 with
Bore. Note the orientation of the pin
and bore.
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All Materials Copyright ©2010 PCS Edventures, Inc.
Name: _______________________________________ Date: _____________________
8. Begin the counterweight for the
throwing arm by creating five
stacks each comprised of two
Building Block 30s and a Building
Block 15. Be sure the pins face
upward.
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5. Add an Angle Block 60 to the rear
face of the near Building Block 15.
Connect the two Angle Blocks with an
Angle Girder 15 and a Angle Girder 30.
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EXTREME SIMPLE MACHINES
UNIT TWO: FIRST CLASS LEVER TREBUCHET
15. Create a throwing block by tying
a 20 cm length of string onto a
Building Block 15 with Bore. Make
a small loop in the free end of the
string.
Try This...
1. Gently press one end of the lever arm and let go. Document what you
observe:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
2. Press down the lever arm and place the throwing block on the Base
Plate. Put the loop around the Wheel Axle, and release the arm.
Describe what happens:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
3. Sketch your trebuchet and identify the parts of the lever on a separate
piece of paper.
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Name: _______________________________________ Date: _____________________
13. Center the throwing arm’s
Building Block 15 with Bore
between the two other Building
Block 15s with Bore. Insert a Plastic
Axle 60 through the three Building
Block 15s with Bore. Fix the axle in
place by pressing two Clip 5s on
each side.
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12. Finish the throwing arm by
adding an Angle Block 60 onto the
other Clip Adapter. Fix a Wheel
Axle onto the Angle Block.
15. Your model should look like this:
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11. Add a Clip Adapter on each end
of the Clip Axle 180. Fix one of the
Clip Adapters onto the pin of the
Building Block 15 with Bore. Be
sure the Clip Adapter has the solid
sides facing slot side of the
Building Block 30 with Bore.
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