Grade 2

Grade: Two

Topic: Understanding structures and mechanisms, movement

Design Challenge:

Teachers and students work collaboratively to identify an environmental challenge regarding the use of cardboard and plastic. Using their background knowledge of the types of simple machines, the group will then collaborate on a solution by suggesting ways to make a toy that uses two simple machines and includes the use of plastic bottles and/or cardboard tubes. From there the teacher will narrow down the choices to the type and number suited to the group's capabilities. In this case the focus will be on reusing small plastic bottles and/or cardboard tubes to make golf ball bowling ramp game.

Sample ramp bowling challenge

Tools

Hand Tool Version:

  • CSA approved safety glasses/goggles, one pair per person (parent volunteers included),
  • a first aid kit (please see your Board's Health and Safety Regulations if one is being purchased for your classroom),
  • an approved eyewash station containing approved eyewash fluid that has not reached its expiry time limit after decanting, or an installed eyewash system;
  • rulers, one per project;
  • basic hacksaws ( junior saws), or coping saws, minimum one for every 3 projects (local hardware stores, www.kidder.ca or
  • www.busybeetools.com),
  • bench hooks, minimum one for every 3 projects (www.kidder.ca),
  • 3" C-clamps, minimum one for every 3 projects (local hardware stores, www.kidder.ca or www.busybeetools.com)
  • sand paper, medium to fine grit, 1 sheet for every 5 projects;.

No Hand Tools Version:

  • Scissors, one pair for every three projects (students may supply their own).

Materials

Hand Tool Version:

  • 1/2" x 1/2" x 24" basswood wood strips, two per project,
  • one golf ball per project,
  • send home a note in advance of this activity asking caregivers to collect and send in items from the list below;
    • small plastic containers (e.g., liquid yogurt containers, 500 ml water bottles) or 4" - 6" (10 cm - 15 cm) pieces of cardboard tubing, 3-5 per project for use as bowling pins,
  • glue, about 250 ml for the class.

No Hand Tools Version:

  • one golf ball per project,
  • send home a note in advance of this activity asking caregivers to collect and send in items from the list below; cardboard tubes (preferably the length of a plastic wrap tube or longer), or cereal boxes, 1 per project, small plastic containers (e.g., liquid yogurt containers, 500 ml water bottles), or 4" - 6" (10 cm - 15 cm) pieces of cardboard tubing, 3-5 per project for use as bowling pins,
  • glue, about 250 ml for the class.

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