Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Gearing Up With Robots

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

3

Overview

In this activity, students experiment with gear motion to understand how gears work to change the amount of force, speed, or direction of motion in machines.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 3

    SC15.3.1

    Plan and carry out an experiment to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object using one variable at a time, including number, size, direction, speed, position, friction, or air resistance (e.g., balanced forces pushing from both sides on an object, such as a box, producing no motion; unbalanced force on one side of an object, such as a ball, producing motion), and communicate these findings graphically.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.3.1

    Vocabulary

    • Experiment
    • Variable
    • Motion
    • Force (push and pull)
    • Balanced forces
    • Unbalanced forces
    • Cause and effect
    • Number
    • Size
    • Direction
    • Position
    • Friction
    • Air resistance
    • Communicate
    • Graphically
    • Net force
    • Sum

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Each force acts on one particular object and has both strength and direction.
    • An object at rest typically has multiple forces acting on it, but they add to give zero net force on the object.
    • Forces that do not sum to zero can cause changes in the object's speed or direction of motion.
    • Objects in contact exert forces on each other.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Collaboratively plan an experiment to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object using one variable at a time.
    • Carry out an experiment to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object using one variable at a time.
    • Collect and record data from experiment.
    • Describe how the investigation plan addresses the purpose of the investigation.
    • Communicate findings graphically.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Cause and effect relationships provide evidence when investigating balanced and unbalanced forces.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Planning and Carrying out Investigations

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Cause and Effect
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Learning Activity

    Resource Provider

    National Geographic
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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