Making Machines!

Thank you to everyone who brought in containers for the girls to work with this week. They were definitely put to use! During snack we gave the girls a task of inventing a machine that would move a figurine one foot. The task was to make a machine using at least 5 items from the re-usable pile. We demonstrated different ways they could move their figurine (pulleys, catapults, gravity and rubber bands) and had them work in groups of 5-6 to make their machine using anything in the classroom they needed (Popsicle sticks, wheels, scissors, tape etc.). You should have seen how quickly that ate their snack and rushed to get materials!! Below is a video and the girls during the beginning stages of their machine making.

IMG 8364 from Lisa Dutton on Vimeo.

Here is an explanation of their machines:

Painting Unicorn Table:

SW, SWB, AC, AS

We are going to make her launch off of this (catapult) and then she is going to land into this (yogurt container/pool). We have these batteries to make her launch. There is air and power in here (the shoe box).

Rose Table:

WF, SO, EH, MB, AaS, SG.

She is going to slide down and land in the cup. Someone is going to pull the cup up so we can bring her up. Then we have a spoon that we are going to flick (catapult) her into this cup.

Drawing Table:

DB, MxS, EL, AY, AW, GH

Our plan is that we have wings for the rocket. We are going to put the rocket on the sea saw and we are going to press the sea saw to make the rocket launch.

I have to say, their machines were quite impressive and many of them are steps away from working. These girls have vision!! I will try to post videos of their demos when the machines are complete.