STEM: Doodle-Wheelers (Force and Motion/Simple Machines)

Time Required: Two 45-60 minute sessions
Skill Level: Beginner
Recommended Grades: K to 2nd

In this activity, students will work in pairs to explore the size of wheels and their effects on force and motion. Students will work with a partner to design one small-wheeled and one large-wheeled racer using a clothespin and a 3Doodler. This design project incorporates physics principles in a fun and approachable way.

Note: Any links outside of the3doodler.com are optional resources. We can’t ensure their upkeep or accuracy.

Lesson Plan

Instructions

Step 1

Call students to the whole group for discussion.

Share the goal: During this session, students will determine which Doodle-Wheeler is faster: the one with larger wheels, or one with smaller wheels. Show students images of two different size racers.

Step 2

Show students where the Doodle-Wheelers will be racing. Stack books and tape a folded cardstock strip as the track. Ask students to predict which Doodle-Wheeler will make it to the bottom of the ramp first and why.

Step 3

Project your tablet or computer screen on the board for all students to view the Doodle-Wheelers Instructions/Questions.

Step 4

Review the Instructions for making Doodle-Wheelers. Review the two questions.

Step 5

Model how to use the wheel stencils to doodle 4 small and 4 large wheels. Note that students must leave a hole to fit the axle. Instruct them to segment off areas on the wheels for easier doodling.

*See Appendix

Step 6

Go through the steps of cutting the straw segments and gluing them into the appropriate locations on the clothespin. Note that the straws must be glued further apart for the large-wheeled racers. Place the pre-cut dowels through the two straws. Weld the wheels onto the dowels.

Step 7

Weld the Lego-driver into position.

Step 8 - OPTIONAL

Students may decorate their clothespins using craft materials, e.g, feathers, gems, google-eyes, etc...

Step 9

After reviewing instructions and answering students' questions, hand out Doodle-Wheelers Instructions/Questions. Instruct partners to respond to the first-prediction question before racing their Doodle-Wheelers.

Step 10

After racing their Doodle-Wheelers, prompt partners to respond the last question about what actually happened and why.

Step 11 - OPTIONAL

Take the wheels off of one of their Doodle-Wheelers and doodle an original set of wheels or mix wheels, e.g., two smaller wheels in front, 2 larger wheels in the back. How does this affect Doodle-Wheelers's speed? Instruct students to explore doodling their own wheels or mixing wheels. What happens? Use round objects, like different size lids, to draw stencils for wheels.

Wrap Up

Have pairs share their Doodle-Wheelers with the group. Discuss the results and why the larger Doodle-Wheelers typically make it to the finish line first. *See Appendix Share students' Doodle-Wheelers on Twitter. @3Doodler #3DoodlerEDU

Assessment

The teacher will assess the students by evaluating their Doodle-Wheelers, their responses during discussions, how the students interact with each other, and how they use the materials.

Possible Extensions

Students cover the wheels with different textures to determine how friction affects speed, using sandpaper, tin foil, fabric, etc...

Resources

Vocabulary

  • axle - a rod or spindle (either fixed or rotating) passing through the center of a wheel or group of wheels.

  • cars - a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people.

  • collaboration - to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor.

  • construction - the building of something, typically a large structure.

  • data - factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation.

  • design - to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans (for a work to be executed), especially to plan the form and structure of an object, building, bridge, etc...

  • engineering - the art or science of making practical application of the knowledge of pure sciences, as physics or chemistry, as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines, ships, and chemical plants.

  • force - strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement.

  • inclined plane - slope or ramp that makes it easier to lift something

  • motion - the action or process of moving or being moved.

  • problem-solving - the process or act of finding a solution to a problem.

  • racers - an animal or means of transportation bred or designed especially for racing

  • simple machines - any of the basic mechanical devices for applying a force, such as an inclined plane, wedge, or lever.

  • STEM - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, considered as a group of academic or career fields.

  • transportation - the action of transporting someone or something or the process of being transported.

  • wheel - a circular object that revolves on an axle and is fixed below a vehicle or other object to enable it to move easily over the ground.

Educational Standards

Common Core
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade level topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

In This Lesson

Students will discuss how to design the fastest Doodle-Wheeler using small and large wheels, comparing the results, making design improvements and retesting.

Common Core
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.B

Build on others' talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.

In This Lesson

Students will build on the talk in conversations with others during the group discussion and the work with their partner throughout this project.

Next Gen Science
K-PS2-2

Analyze to determine if a design solution works to change the speed or direction of an object with a push or a pull.

In This Lesson

Students will design a third Doodle-Wheeler using wheels they design with a partner or mixing smaller and larger wheels on one racer to determine if they can improve their Doodle-Wheeler's speed.

CS Teachers
1A-A-3-5

Decompose (break down) a larger problem into smaller sub-problems with teacher guidance or independently.

In This Lesson

Students will break down the process of designing and constructing the fastest Doodle-Wheeler through drafting, modeling, testing, improving and retesting.

ISTE
1c

Use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

In This Lesson

Students will use a 3Doodler to design and doodle wheels for their Doodle-Wheelers.

ISTE
6B

Create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.

In This Lesson

Students will design a new Doodle-Wheeler using a mixed set of wheels or by innovating new wheels for their racers.

ISTE
7A

Use collaborative technologies to work with others, including peers, experts or community members, to examine issues and problems from multiple viewpoints.

In This Lesson

Students will work with a partner and peers throughout the doodling process, problem solving process, and assembly process. Students will share their perspectives.

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