Cardboard Automata Tinkering - STEAM Lesson
by Melany Coates
This engineering design STEAM lesson is intended to be introduced as a playful and inventive approach to learning simple machines. Students explore levers, cams, cam followers, linkages, and other mechanisms in a playful and inventive way to combine art and science. The activity is a good introduction to a variety of mechanisms and systems found in the real world.
For learners, the narrative, decorated aspects of the automata are as important as the mechanical elements. Creativity is just as important as the science behind the creation. Creativity brings intrinsic motivation to learn as well as deepening the learners thought process and connections to content. An inventive mindset is essential for engineers to design new products or improve upon things that have already been created.
Lesson Grade Level
3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th GradeLesson Plan Link/URL
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DVlD8CRuzxRGc4FwjHgpb4kzZ2gAp9Mg/edit?u…Related Content
Grades:
3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade
Engineers often create small-size models of a new product to test its design. This is especially true with airplanes. Model testing tells engineers how a design responds to different air conditions
Grades:
3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
In this engaging lesson, students explore how size, strength, weight and time constraints can impact space transportation. There are a variety of resources included with this lesson.
Grades:
6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
Are your students fans of Formula 1? If they are or aren't this lesson will take a look into the dominance of Red Bull Racing in Formula 1. Why is Red Bull so dominant? Is it the driver or the