by Rick Baumann, 5th Grade Science Teacher
In fifth grade science one of our biggest science units is on simple machines. We spend about 3 weeks studying the following six simple machines: inclined planes (ramps), pulleys, levers, screws, wedges, and wheels and axles. We start by defining what each simple machine is and how they work. A simple machine is something that makes our lives/jobs easier. Next as a class we discuss how simple machines are all around and how they help make our lives easier.
Students do a variety of activities with each simple machine. One of our biggest activities during this unit is when students work in groups to build an inclined plane. Each group is given a piece of cardboard that is 11 x 17. The goal is to roll a marble from the top of the cardboard to the bottom in the slowest time. Students are allowed to use a variety of different materials to build ramps to slow the marble down as it travels down the length of the cardboard. Each group is asked to start with a rough draft outline of what their ramp will look like and make a list of materials that they will need to complete the project. Then students are given 3 days in class to build their ramp. Students work through the process creating different angles and using different materials to get the marble to slow down as it works it way down the cardboard. It is amazing to see the creativity that takes place and the amount of cooperation and brainstorming that student go through to create their inclined plane.
The final project usually takes on many different shapes and designs over the 3 days. Students are allowed to use a marble to test their inclined plane and make any adjustments needed to make it go slower or fix areas where the marble stops. On the fourth day each group lines their inclined planes up on the counter and they are tested one by one. A stop watch is used to test each inclined plane for the slowest time and each group is given 3 test runs and the slowest test run is kept for their final score.
Most groups’ times are between 3 and 5 seconds. However this year we had three groups who went over 10 seconds. The third place team in the entire fifth grade had a time of 10.43 seconds and was made up of Alex Maus, Ryan Marconett, River Imholtz and Max Bielefeldt.
The second place team had a time of 11.56 seconds and was made up of Cody Stapel, Tony Baumann, Christian Garner and Landon McFadden. The first place team with a time of 12.84 seconds was the team of Matthew Busse, Owen Loge, Charlie Mumford and Keenan Zillmer.
