Group: 4 preschoolers aged 6-7, 2 boys and 2 girls.
Group activity with duration approximately 15 minutes.
Children had previous knowledge of scales and masses.
Aim was to introduce a lever as a simple machine and initiate knowledge of sciences.
Children were taken to a special acitivity room at a kindergarden, that is normally used for robotics lessons, interactive board games etc. This evniroment always creates exitment for children, cause they usually like special items and methods, that are used in that room.
Activity started with discussion of previous knowledge of scales and masses. Children talked about grams and kilograms while discussing how heavy objects they think they are able to lift. The offers very quite realistic and all of them thought that they are not able to lift heavy objects.
When asked children about the word lever they came up with idea that it's used for opening stuck doors.
After discussion the children were given oportunity to inspect our 3D printed lever. It created exitment and children instinctivly knew they were supposed to lift things with it. Due to the size of the printed lever the only activity possible was to change the position of the axis and then compare the effort it takes to lift the round ladybug. The ladybug toy was chosen due to it's round shape - it was possible to sit it in the round space of the lever. Children quickly discovered the change in effort needed to lift the toy. The lever design itself inveted them to try to slam he hand part in order to make the toy fly. Extra explanation was needed that the lever is a special tool for teaching.
Kids interest
The enivroment chosen and the activity itself was interesting for the children. They lacked interest with the physics part of the explanation and that is something that could be improved for the next test. Suggestion is to use animated video found on Youtube with teacher narrating it in their native language.
Student engagment
The group was engaged the whole time of the activity and were eager to offer input and ask questions. Small group size was also an advantage with only having one lever and children didn't have to use too much restraint in order to wait for their turn in speaking or testing the machine.
Their input. Ideas for what to lift?
Children wanted to try to lift some stones in the kindergarden yard.
Childrens questions during the activity
Is the lever a toy?
Why is it orange?
What is 3D printing?
Why is there a ladybird?
How hard can it be hit?