Simple Machines

Overview

In this activity, groups of 4-5 students will collaboratively design, build, test and modify a series of 3D printed toy cars that can travel the length of a track composed of simple machines. The simple machines should allow the car to move more easily along the length of the track.

Duration: Up to (3) 40-minute sessions

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Group or Individual: Group

Learning Goals

By the end of the lesson students will:

• Explain how simple machines and mechanisms allow humans to move objects
• Work collaboratively to critically and creatively solve the design problem
• Conceptually ideate and create a design meeting specifications and constraints
• Communicate using scientific vocabulary when conferencing in small/large groups
• Utilize mathematical calculations accurately to build a 3D printed concept
• Apply scientific principles of hypothesis, experimentation, analysis and repetition
• Devise a mechanism that is able to travel a track composed of various simple machines

Materials

• 3D Printer filament for printing (and scheduled time on the printer)
• scrap cardboard for initial prototypes
• scrap plastic for secondary prototypes
• bottle caps
• spools
• wooden skewers
• tape
• plasticine
• hot glue gun/gluesticks
• 3D printer such as the Cubicon Single+
• licensed CAD software such as Fusion 360, Inventor, TinkerCAD or SolidWorks
• computer and mouse for each student or group for CAD design

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with TinkerCAD or other 3D printing software