Digger

Add to list Go to activity
In this activity, learners build their own construction cranes using tongue depressors and pushpins. Learners use simple tools to build the cranes and then have fun operating the crane to scoop and drop different materials like cereal, beans, or sand. Use this project to introduce learners to simple machines, specifically levers. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per student
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • 5 Large craft sticks
  • 3 Blocks of wood of different sizes
  • 1 Cup
  • 1 Nail
  • 1 Washer
  • 1 Binder clip
  • Pushpins
  • Hammer
  • Hot glue gun
  • Items to pick up (beans, cereal, or rice)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
    • Technology
      • Construction
  • Physical Sciences
    • Energy
      • Work and Machines
    • Motion and Forces
      • Machines
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process

Informal Categories

  • Model Building
  • Toys

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop, 2011