Saturday SAVY, Week 2, Creative Contraptions (1st-2nd)
Today in Creative Contraptions, our first and second graders had an exciting and productive day! We began by getting reacquainted with one another and reviewing the concept of systems. Students recalled how each system generalization can be compared to a car. This helped set the stage for our exploration of simple machines.
We brainstormed what we know about simple machines and identified where we see them in our everyday world. The students were full of ideas and eager to share their observations. We then posed questions about the work that simple machines do, designed experiments to test these questions, and conducted the experiments.
Ask your child what a wedge, a screw, an inclined plane, a wheel and axle, a pulley, and a lever do to make work easier! They had hands-on experience with these concepts and can tell you all about the experiments they conducted.
During our session, we also delved into the concept of friction. We discussed how friction is a force that resists motion and how it plays a crucial role in the functioning of simple machines. The students learned that friction can both help and hinder the operation of these machines, depending on the context. Ask your child how the wheel reduces friction when moving a load across a surface! They were very engaged and had insightful observations on this topic.
Next, we discussed how several simple machines can work together to form a compound machine. This led to a fascinating conversation about inventions and inventors. Ask your child about Levi Strauss and what his invention was! They learned some interesting facts that sparked their curiosity and creativity.
The students then brainstormed problems they encounter in their daily lives, such as putting their laundry away or brushing their teeth, and thought about how they could invent a compound machine to make these tasks easier. They sketched their designs and explored the materials available to build their inventions.
This week, encourage your child to observe their daily activities at home or school and think about how they could make these tasks easier with a compound machine. Whether it’s organizing their toys, opening a jar, or even sharpening pencils, there are countless opportunities for them to apply what they’ve learned. Ask your child to identify tasks that could be simplified and brainstorm together how a combination of simple machines might help! This will not only reinforce their learning but also spark their creativity and problem-solving skills. I can’t wait to hear about even more ideas next week when the students will build and present their inventions! It promises to be an exciting culmination of their hard work and creativity.
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for our program!