Here are some fun ways to look at gears and pulleys and how they can be used to improve design and allow for movement. The following two images are links to classroom resources from a popular new website mrcollinson.ca. It includes lesson plans and worksheets on a number of science and technology topics.
Mr Collinson shows us Pulleys in Action
Lesson Ideas for Pulleys and Gears
To complement the above, try Technology Student for a large selection of working examples of gears and pulleys. These moving animations of working systems show the mechanics of each example which is useful where in-class manipulation opportunities are limited. It includes an amazing variety of resources for all levels of complexity including questioning suggestions and assessment ideas.
H.O.T. Question It.
- Experiment with different types of surfaces and devise a way of testing the amount of friction force in exerted between two surfaces.
- How can friction be increased or decreased? Give examples.
- Experiment with different types of gears and pulleys to bear a load and analyse your findings.
Year 3 – 4
- Investigate how forces and the properties of materials affect the behaviour of a product or system (ACTDEK011)
- Investigate the suitability of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment for a range of purposes (ACTDEK013)
Year 5 – 6
- Investigate how forces or electrical energy can control movement, sound or light in a designed product or system (ACTDEK020)
- Investigate characteristics and properties of a range of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment and evaluate the impact of their use (ACTDEK023)
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA] (2014). Design and Technologies: Foundation to Year 10 curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/design-and-technologies/Curriculum/F-10
H.O.T. Topics for the Australian Curriculum 