Smoses Toy Expo

Introduction: Funco Toy Company is looking for new ideas for toys that teach children something useful. The Research and Development Department found out that 7 and 8 year olds in Fairfax County are learning about simple machines of the world. They thought it would be great if they could come up with some ideas of "simple machine" toys to sell in stores this coming Christmas season. Unfortunately, they put their creative thinking caps on but came up empty.

Task: We've decided to offer an incredible opportunity to our customers. If you can come up with an idea for a "simple machine" toy, your class might be awarded a patent and a share of the profits from the sale of the toy, or be written up in the local newspaper. But, the first thing you need to do is learn about the basic simple machines.

Process:

1. Read the letter from the Funco Toy Company.
2. Divide into five groups. Each group will research one of the simple machines: lever, inclined plane, pulley, wheel and axle, and screw.
3. Look at several simple machine websites to complete your research.
   1. Franklin Institute Online-Simple Machines (http://sln.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight3/spotlight3.html)
   2. ThinkQuest site-Simple Machines (http://library.thinkquest.org/J002079F/sub3.htm)
   3. BrainPop movies on levers and planes (http://www.brainpop.com/tech/simplemachines/)
   4. Simple Machines Learning Site (http://www.coe.uh.edu/archive/science/science_lessons/scienceles1/finalhome.htm)
   5. Dirtmeister's Science Reporters-Simple Machines (http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirtrep/simple/invest.htm)
4. Use the software Learn About Physical Science: Simple Machines. Your teacher will show you a video on Simple Machines.
5. Read It's Science:Machines We Use by Sally Hewitt and Simple Machines by Melvin Berger to locate additional information.
6. Create a poster to use in your report to the class on your machine. Make sure you follow the requirements for your poster.
7. Present the information you discovered in your research to the class. Use your poster as a visual aid. Other members of the class will take notes in their Simple Machine Book.
8. Create a toy company with your group by coming up with a name. Think of toy companies that already exist.
9. For homework, use your toy company name and come up with a logo. Follow the logo homework directions.
10. Take the logos designed by all group members and vote on one.
11. It's time to design your toy. Each member of the group gets to make a design.Brainstorm ideas with classmates and your family. At the computer lab, draw a design for the toy you are proposing. Remember, your toy must include at least two simple machines and be fun for kids.
12. Get together with members of your toy company. Examine all of the designs proposed by the members. Decide which one the group wants to create. Fill in the Toy Company Worksheet.
13. Create your toy out of materials from the simple machines kit and any extra supplies you can find.
14. For the toy expo, it will be necessary to have an eye-catching display to attract customers. Follow the guidelines.
15. Create an advertisement for your toy. Have someone videotape the ad. This will be played at the Toy Expo.
16. Set up your display with the poster and toy. Make sure you have an inventory sheet and calculator plus some extra $5 bills for change.

Toy Expo

1. Group members will stand at the company booth and attempt to sell their product. Customers can order any amount they want but they must have enough money. They will receive a total of $100.
2. Toy companies must keep track of each customers total order using the inventory sheet and calculators. The money must be collected. If change is required, they must figure out the correct change and return the change to the customer.
3. The company that has the highest number of orders according to dollar value will win the chance to have their design passed along to FUNCO.

Opportunities to share:

1. Students share their research findings about the simple machines.
2. Each group views ideas for logos and toy designs among their group prior to making final decisions.
3. Advertisements are videotaped and shared with the class and during the Toy Expo.
4. Parents and guests are invited to view the simple machine posters, books and toy displays at the expo.

Assessment:

A group work rubric was designed and used during the unit. In addition, a simple machines multiple choice test was given. Customers are asked to fill out an expo visitor satisfaction survey.

To see pictures from the unit, click on the toy guy.

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Unit designed by Pat Smoyer and Irma Moses
Page created by Brooks Widmaier
May 31, 2002