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Science
Year 7
Above satisfactory
Designing a toy
Summary of task
As part of their teaching and learning unit on physical sciences, students had investigated different types of forces and simple machines. Students had been explicitly taught how to draw force diagrams and how to scientifically communicate designs that incorporate simple machines.
Students were asked to design and build a toy that incorporated at least one moving part and identify the forces and simple machines present. During each lesson, students were asked to reflect on their planning and design process and record their thoughts about the design choices they had made in a journal, using a given template. As final assessment, students were asked to create a presentation to explain the forces and simple machines present within their design. They were encouraged to incorporate mathematical and scientific language within their presentation and journal. Students were asked to reference all sources they had used during their research.
Students worked individually in class and at home over a period of three weeks.
Achievement standard
By the end of Year 7, students describe techniques to separate pure substances from mixtures. They represent and predict the effects of unbalanced forces, including Earth’s gravity, on motion. They explain how the relative positions of Earth, the sun and moon affect phenomena on Earth. They analyse how the sustainable use of resources depends on the way they are formed and cycle through Earth systems. They predict the effect of human and environmental changes on interactions between organisms and classify and organise diverse organisms based on observable differences. Students describe situations where scientific knowledge from different science disciplines and diverse cultures has been used to solve a real-world problem. They explain possible implications of the solution for different groups in society.
Students identify questions that can be investigated scientifically. They plan fair experimental methods, identifying variables to be changed and measured. They select equipment that improves fairness and accuracy and describe how they considered safety. Students draw on evidence to support their conclusions. They summarise data from different sources, describe trends and refer to the quality of their data when suggesting improvements to their methods. They communicate their ideas, methods and findings using scientific language and appropriate representations.
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Formulates aim of project
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Formulates aim of project
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Describes history of toy car focusing on aspects relevant to task
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Describes history of toy car focusing on aspects relevant to task
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Uses annotated photographs to clarify instructions
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Uses annotated photographs to clarify instructions
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Gives detailed step-by-step instructions on how to build the toy
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Gives detailed step-by-step instructions on how to build the toy
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Uses diagram and correct scientific and mathematical terminology to explain forces acting on wheels 2 Annotation 2
Demonstrates understanding of forces and their impacts by identifying analogous function in another simple machine
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Uses diagram and correct scientific and mathematical terminology to explain forces acting on wheels -
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Annotation 2
Demonstrates understanding of forces and their impacts by identifying analogous function in another simple machine
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Explains function and purpose of pulleys
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Explains function and purpose of pulleys
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Uses example to explain purpose and use of inclined planes 2 Annotation 2
Refers to force diagram to explain how motion of an object results from unbalanced forces
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Uses example to explain purpose and use of inclined planes -
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Annotation 2
Refers to force diagram to explain how motion of an object results from unbalanced forces
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Recognises and classifies screw as a type of simple machine 2 Annotation 2
Explains how simple machine has been used in toy construction
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Recognises and classifies screw as a type of simple machine -
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Annotation 2
Explains how simple machine has been used in toy construction
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Uses photographs to document changes made during design process
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Uses photographs to document changes made during design process
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Reflects on own learning process
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Annotation 1
Reflects on own learning process
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Describes how simple machines have benefitted society
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Describes how simple machines have benefitted society
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Provides list of sources used during research
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Provides list of sources used during research
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Describes ideas for toy design including simple machines
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Annotation 1
Describes ideas for toy design including simple machines
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Reflects on purpose and design of toy
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Annotation 1
Reflects on purpose and design of toy
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Formulates and justifies aim of toy design 2 Annotation 2
Calculates cost of materials 3 Annotation 3
Analyses forces present in simple machines and draws simple force diagrams
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Formulates and justifies aim of toy design -
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Annotation 2
Calculates cost of materials -
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Annotation 3
Analyses forces present in simple machines and draws simple force diagrams
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Reflects on design progress
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Annotation 1
Reflects on design progress
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Describes in detail changes made to toy design and records thoughts about future amendments
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Annotation 1
Describes in detail changes made to toy design and records thoughts about future amendments