Kinematic Fanatic

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In this activity, learners are challenged to design and build a system of gears and kinematics to create a hand-stamping machine. In this activity, learners get a chance to design, build, and test an automated hand-stamping machine by borrowing concepts from existing designs and modifying them to fit their needs. They'll gain experience using gears and pulleys to explore concepts such as mechanical advantage, changing from rotary to linear motion, and altering timing in a machine. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
30 to 45 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 18
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Gears (with motored drive pack)
  • Tape
  • Sample hand-stampers
  • Examples of mechanisms
  • Stamps (mounted to end pieces)
  • Stamp pads

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Mechanical Engineering
    • Technology
      • Manufacturing
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Machines
      • Momentum and Velocity
      • Rotation Motion
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Research and Development
      • Invention and Innovation
      • Problem Solving
      • Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • , Museum of Science, Boston, 2005

Funding Sources:

  • The Gordon Foundation
  • Institute of Museum and Library Services