Machines

For this project, you will be investigating a machine (mechanical device) in order to better understand and appreciate how it works, investigate various types and factors of the machine, and communicating your understanding with an audience.

Phase 1: Topic Choice, Initial Research, Page Set-up (Monday, 11/17/2014):

1. To begin, browse chapter 8 in your Physical Science textbook, especially sections 2 and 3
2. Browse some websites that show machines (preferably relatively simple ones) and how they work (see list below)
3. Choose one machine that interests you and seems of reasonable complexity and personal challenge
4. Create a page within the science section of your website and name it "Machine"
5. Add a few (3+) links to websites that show or teach about your machine (they should open in a new window)

Phase 2: Add Images, Explanations, and Interactions (Tuesday, 11/18/2014)

1. Do an image search for a set of clear, large, and useful images, and add some to your page
2. Add annotations or descriptions that relate to the pictures

- - - - To put text next to an image, it is best to put the image and the text in a 2-cell table.
        Edit mode
        "Table" to "insert"
        One row, two columns
        Put the image on left
        Type text on right
        If you want, click on "html" and set table border = to 0 instead of 1.

1. Use ThinkLink to create interactive images (see instructions at bottom of this page)

Phase 3: Add Introduction and Conclusion (Wednesday, 11/19/14)

1. Write an inviting introduction and a thoughtful summary/conclusion
2. Use a Google form to create a quiz that asks about things your page has taught and embed it.

Phase 4: Publish your project (Thursday 11/20/14)

1. If I haven't already, help me link your topic in the spreadsheet below.
2. Present your project to an audience (in groups of 2 to 4) and have them take your quiz.

Grading Criteria:

1. Webpage is located behind the school domain but viewable. (2 points)
2. Topic choice is within parameters (2 points)
3. Three or more relevant websites listed and linked (2 points)
4. Two or more images embedded into site (3 points)
5. Images annotated in a way that shows knowledge of the machine (5 points)
6. Introduction and conclusion (3 points)

Quiz provided that has relevant questions of appropriate complexity (3 points)

Addie -- Camera

Aiden -- Nut crackers

Ali -- Secateurs

Avi -- Compound bow

Brian -- Mechanical pencil

Eliki -- Pulley

Gabi -- Pinball machine

Hannah -- Roller coaster

Jax -- Car brakes

Joaquin -- Pulleys

Juliana -- Polaroid Camera

Khael -- Sewing machine

Luka -- lock and key

Lukas -- Windmill

Maya -- Gumball dispenser

Naya -- Archimedes screw

Olivia -- Cuckoo clock (the old non-electronic kind)

Paola -- Ferris wheel

Sean -- Cranes

Sebastian -- Ratchet (wrench)

Theodor -- Hydraulic pumps

Tom -- Record Player

Tuisku -- Florida Key Boat Rental

Vaibhav -- Coffee maker

Yorsabell -- Record player

Machine Choices

Sample Topics

1. Electric can opener
2. Windshield wipers
3. Bicycle gears
4. Alarm clock (not digital)
5. Steam engine
6. Sewing machine
7. Impact driver
8. Vacuum cleaner
9. Lock and key
10. Crane
11. Drawbridge
12. Tractor
13. Lawnmower
14. Sailboat

Online Resources

1. Cosi: http://www.cosi.org/files/Flash/simpMach/sm1.swf
2. Sewing Machine: http://kottke.org/10/08/how-machines-work
3. How Stuff Works: http://www.howstuffworks.com/
4. EdHeads: http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/
5. MiKids: http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
6. ASPIRE: http://aspire.cosmic-ray.org/labs/machine/
7. Utah Schools: http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/science/sciber00/8th/machines/sciber/intro.htm
8. Exploratorium: http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/iconmechanics.html

Embedding a ThingLink (annotated image) into a google site page (Instructions from a parent)

It took Minh and me a bit of time to figure out how to get it embedded in GSites. If you haven't figured it out, I hope the following would help.

There is an extra step.

First, however, make sure that you have your cursor where you want the item to be embedded.

Instructions are finally found here

http://www.thinglink.com/help/Other%20platforms

You have to add a new gadget to the site before you can use it

http://thinglink.s3.amazonaws.com/resources/tlGoogleGadgt.xml

Once you have that gadget in place, a screen will pop up to ask that you paste in your <img> link. This was generated when you click EMBED after you got done with your thinglink creation.

example: