Release week Jan. 21, 2007: Automata & Mechanical Toys

Standards

• Science: Students will find examples of entertainment, such as mechanical toys, in the newspaper.
• Science: Students will identify the basic mechanisms of simple machines.
• Science: Students will diagram a simple machine of their own design.

Activities

• Use the News: Automata and toys often provide a form of art and entertainment to children and adults. How many kinds of entertainment can you find in the local newspaper?

• Try to identify the six basic mechanisms in a real toy or machine. Bring in items such as clocks, toys, tools, etc., that can be viewed inside. Covers can be removed carefully, or (if it’s already broken) it can be cracked open to reveal the inner mechanisms. Try to identify for what purpose each part is used.

• Draw a diagram of a simple machine that uses at least three of the basic mechanisms to perform a function, such as raising a flag up a pole or making all four wheels of a model car turn. Label the parts of the diagram, and be able to explain why you chose specific parts for the design.

World of Wonder meets many state educational standards. This guide helps teachers identify standards and related activities generally intended for grade 6, but teachers can modify activities to the appropriate grade level.