Marvelous Mechanical Creations
In this workshop, students learn about motion and how mechanisms are used to transform and transmit motion. Students will then use their creativity and imagination to design and build their own cardboard Automaton!
What You Need
Physical Requirements
- A large space where you can set up tables or desks for students to work in groups.
- Access to a computer and projector for the presentation.
Activity 1: Mystery Mechanisms
- 1 blank sheet of paper per group
- Drawing utensils
- Mystery Mechanism Automaton (prepared before the visit)
Activity 2a: Create a Concept Sketch
- 1 Design Worksheet per group
- Drawing utensils
- Prompt cards; cut out and laminated
Activity 2b: Build an Automaton
- 1 Automaton Kit per group, consisting of:
- A frame with two holes for the axel and three output holes on top (approx 20x10x15 cm in measurements, such as a small shoe or tissue box).
- 4 skewers
- 3 paper support tubes approx. 4-5 cm in length (or paper straws)
- 2 axel supports
- 7 cardboard circles appox. 2 inches or 5 cm in diameter with one hole in the middle and one hole off-centre
- Extra cardboard
- 1 Instruction booklet per group
- Craft materials (cardboard, poster board, coloured paper, toilet paper rolls, felt, pom poms, stickers, etc.)
- Scissors
- Hot glue guns (1 per group)
- Hot glue sticks (1 bag per group)
- Tape
Activity 2c: Present your Work
No materials required.
Guide:
Presentation:
Additional:
- Marvelous Mechanical Creations Design Worksheet
- Automaton Kit Preparation Instructions
- Automaton Assembly Instructions
- Marvelous Mechanical Creations Mystery Mechanism Instructions
- Marvelous Mechanical Creations Extra Resources
- Marvelous Mechanical Creations Prompt Cards
Kit management note: Sites are responsible for creating and maintaining this kit. For the Mystery Mechanism Automaton, if you have space at your site, you can build these once, store them for future uses, and repair when necessary. For the Automaton Kits, the frame in the kit takes up a lot of space when built. To save space, you can keep the frames collapsible by not gluing the triangles to the corners until the frames are needed. Refer to the Automaton Kit Preparation document.
Safety Notes
Ensure you are familiar with Let’s Talk Science’s precautions with respect to safe outreach to youth. These precautions can be found in the activity manual for this activity.
Be cautious when using the hot glue guns.
What To Do
Pre-Activity Prep
- Print the Design Worksheets, the Prompt Cards (cut out and laminate), and the Instruction Booklet.
- Make Mystery Mechanism Automaton for Activity 1: Mystery Mechanism.
- Prepare Automaton Kits for Activity 2b: Build an Automaton.
Introduction
- Discuss the difference between rotational and linear motion.
- Discuss the difference between motion transformation and motion transmission.
Activity 1: Mystery Mechanism
- Split up the students into groups of 2-3.
- Give each group a blank piece of paper and something to draw with.
- Hand out the Mystery Mechanism Automaton Instructions (If you made enough, you can give one to each group, or have a few groups share one). Make sure the students do not remove the paper or peek inside.
- Demonstrate how the automaton works by rotating the input.
- On their paper, have students draw what they think is going on inside of the box.
- If there is time, have a few groups present their ideas to the class.
- Reveal the mechanisms and give a brief explanation of how they work.
Activity 2a: Create a Concept Sketch
- Give each group a design worksheet and something to draw with.
- Have students make a sketch of their own design for an automaton.
- If students need inspiration for ideas, tell them that they can use the prompt cards for ideas. There are examples of sketches and final designs in the PowerPoint to demonstrate what they might want to include in their drawing (eg. types of output motion and cams they need, which parts of the design are moving and which are stationary, what materials things will be made out of).
Activity 2b: Build an Automaton
- Give each group an Automaton Kit, Instruction Booklet, and other materials needed for assembly.
- Let the students start building.
- Circulate the class and provide assistance where needed (encourage the students to problem solve amongst themselves first before having a volunteer step in).
Activity 2c: Present your Work
- Have groups present their work.
- To see their whole process, students can share their concept sketch first and then show their final build.
Wrap-Up
- Review topics discussed in this workshop.
- Discuss possible careers related to the topics discussed in today’s workshop and what students will need (education, experience, etc.) to get into those careers.
Discovery
The cam and follower mechanism is used to transform rotational motion into linear motion. The follower rests on the edge of the cam and as the cam rotates, the follower rises and falls depending on the contour of cam - differently shaped cams produce different patterns of motion. Due to friction between the parts, there is also rotational motion that is transferred between the cam and follower; this is called motion transmission.
Understanding motion and the different mechanisms used to control motion are the building blocks for being able to analyze and build more complicated mechanical systems used by humans like internal combustion engines or robots! This workshop also encourages students to practice and build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills which are essential when working on larger design teams. Many engineering problems are complex and open-ended so they have to be broken down into smaller stages that all build towards a final product.
Explore 3D modeling to make Computer Aided Design (CAD) models of your design using software like Tinkercad.
These are a few extension activities the students can continue to work on or try out after the Let’s Talk Science workshop.
Update and improve your design:
- If you weren’t able to completely finish or if there is something that you want to try out or change, try and make another automaton!
- Look into using levers, linkages, and gears in your next design.
- Try using a different material like wood or metal wires
Make an Art Exhibit:
- Set up your classroom like an exhibit and show your creations to each other and other classes.
Explore 3D modelling:
- Another way Engineers design devices is using 3D modelling software to make digital prototypes.
- Try using the free cloud software Tinkercad by Autodesk to get started on 3D modelling.
Guide:
Presentation:
Additional:
What's Happening?
The cam and follower mechanism is used to transform rotational motion into linear motion. The follower rests on the edge of the cam and as the cam rotates, the follower rises and falls depending on the contour of cam - differently shaped cams produce different patterns of motion. Due to friction between the parts, there is also rotational motion that is transferred between the cam and follower; this is called motion transmission.
Why Does it Matter?
Understanding motion and the different mechanisms used to control motion are the building blocks for being able to analyze and build more complicated mechanical systems used by humans like internal combustion engines or robots! This workshop also encourages students to practice and build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills which are essential when working on larger design teams. Many engineering problems are complex and open-ended so they have to be broken down into smaller stages that all build towards a final product.
Investigate Further
Explore 3D modeling to make Computer Aided Design (CAD) models of your design using software like Tinkercad.
These are a few extension activities the students can continue to work on or try out after the Let’s Talk Science workshop.
Update and improve your design:
- If you weren’t able to completely finish or if there is something that you want to try out or change, try and make another automaton!
- Look into using levers, linkages, and gears in your next design.
- Try using a different material like wood or metal wires
Make an Art Exhibit:
- Set up your classroom like an exhibit and show your creations to each other and other classes.
Explore 3D modelling:
- Another way Engineers design devices is using 3D modelling software to make digital prototypes.
- Try using the free cloud software Tinkercad by Autodesk to get started on 3D modelling.
Resources
Guide:
Presentation:
Additional: