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Description of Unit

In this task, students study force, motion and energy and the application of these scientific principles through simple machines. Students explore the differences between potential and kinetic energy, various sources of energy, the conversion and transfer of energy in a system/circuit and real‐world applications (e.g. the technologies behind a warehouse/fulfillment logistics system such as that used by Amazon.com to move products from the distribution center to the buyer). Student learning culminates in the development of a machine that moves an object (product) from one point to another. Additionally, students learn about sustainable technology and renewable energy resources and investigate how they might utilize these in their designs.

This guide links the Products in Motion unit to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for sixth graders. Products in Motion is a science unit that allows students to study force, motion, and energy as well as practical applications through simple machines. Products in Motion also has interdisciplinary connections to English language arts and reading and social studies disciplines. For example, students will compose procedural and persuasive texts, as outlined in the English Language Arts and Reading TEKS, and describe ways in which technology influences human interactions with the environment, as described in the Social Studies TEKS. The following document includes the applicable TEKS and the details of the Products in Motion unit. The final section of this document presents the applicable Texas College and Career Readiness Standards adopted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) on January 24, 2008.

Phase I. Learning Experiences

  1. Introduce students to the unit by guiding them through a web exploration of simple machines. For example, students might begin by watching Simple Machines: Energy Is Everything from UNC-TV Science Educational Resources.
  2. Review the physical science concepts of force, motion, and energy as well as potential versus kinetic energy. You may wish to conduct a series of lab activities to help students experience the connections between the science principles (e.g., force, motion, and the Conservation of Energy) with their applications in simple machines. Some examples include:


    Additionally, students may study computer simulations such as those available from Phet Interactive Simulations (University of Colorado), in particular, the simulations entitled The Ramp and The Energy Skate Park (Note the system requirements as well as the update Java notice prior to running the simulations).
  3. Ask students to conduct Internet research on the six simple machines, and discover how these form the basis for all machines. A possible starting place is the lesson Inventor’s Workshop available through Discovery Education.
  4. Explore the interactive site Power Play to experiment with combinations of simple machines in harnessing different energy types to do work.
  5. Construct various machines that convert energy from one source to another. An example includes:


  6. Additionally, students will explore how machines can harness renewable energy sources. An example activity includes:
  7. Invite a guest speaker or a virtual scientist into the classroom to talk about the opportunities and challenges involved in engineering for a high-tech world.
  8. Once students have gained awareness and some experience with the practical applications that use these scientific principles—force, motion, and energy— introduce them to the product fulfillment and shipping logistics operation of Amazon.com.

    Show them a video, such as Inside One of Amazon’s Busiest Days, Amazon’s Warehouse Processing, or A Tour of Amazon’s Fulfillment System. Additionally, you may wish to share this article discussing the “chaotic storage system” that Amazon uses. In this system, the company randomly shelves items to maximize storage space, then, when an order is placed, workers called “pickers” use a radio-­frequency scanner to locate the item. The “picked” item is placed in a bin and sent along to the next link in an enormously complex chain of people, technology, and processes that end with the item being shipped to the customer’s address.

    Lead a large group discussion following the video. Ask students to try to break down and illustrate the steps they observe in a flow chart. In what ways is the logistics operation like a system? Encourage students to try to describe as many pieces of machinery or technology they saw in the video.

    • What are some of the machines students see utilized in the system?
    • How many examples of these machines might utilize combinations of simple machines?
    • What are some ways the forces of motion and energy might be utilized in the system?
    • What are some ideas as to the energy sources that might be harnessed to operate such a system?
    • What are the roles of people in the system? How many different types of job functions might be needed to get a product from the creator to the buyer?

Phase II. Independent Research

A. Research process

  1. Select a topic. Each student will select a “product” to be moved from his/her own personal collection. Objects might include CDs, books, dolls, video game packages or controllers, articles of clothing, or any other relatively small, singular object. Teachers will provide guidance on how far the object must be moved from point to point. Key constraints include classroom size and time allotted to the development of the “product moving” machine.
  2. Ask guiding questions. Students will first need to determine the physical properties of the object that might impact the design of its transport system. Then students will need to identify at least three to five guiding questions to explore during their research. Such questions include:
    • What is the shape of the object? What are its dimensions? What is its weight?
    • Will your “product mover” work only for this particular object, or will you design it so that it might transport other students’ products too?
    • Is the object fragile? If so, what might be some of the protective features you will need to incorporate into your system?
    • How quickly might you want the object to move from point to point?
    • How far must the object move? Will there be any changes in the incline between the origin and destination points?
    • What readily available materials will you use to create your system?
    • How might you power your system? What sources of energy might you use?
    • What might be some advantages to your system over other transport systems?
  3. Create a research proposal. Create a research and development plan that identifies the following elements:
    • The name you will give to your transport system
    • The product it is designed to move
    • The energy source you will utilize to power your machine
    • The materials you plan to use in building your machine
    • A preliminary sketch illustrating how your transport system might work
    • Guiding questions for research in order to gain the knowledge you need to build the system
    • A timeline for how you will proceed with research and development
  4. Conduct the research. Once the research and development plan is approved (and checked for feasibility within the scope of the class) by the teacher, students will begin research. Collaborate with local electronics specialists, librarians, and/or technical education specialists to guide student research and development of the products. As students finalize their research, they will need to refine their product plan to include
    • updates to the technical drawing (i.e., a more formalized, computer-rendered version might be created using a program such as Google SketchUp),
    • flowcharts that indicate how the energy transfers through each component,
    • an identification of the simple machines in each part of the system,
    • the location of the power source, and
    • a budget and plan for sourcing the materials to be used in building.
  5. Develop the product. Using readily available materials, students implement their ideas with the help of the teacher and/or mentors, specialists, paraprofessionals, or parent volunteers. Students should practice classroom safety procedures with regards to sharp tools, chemicals, electricity, or other potentially hazardous components.
  6. Share findings. Each student gives a demonstration of the product transport system to the class. As an optional extension, students might also create a video describing the system, similar in feel to the Amazon tour.

B. The product

Students research, design, and build a machine that moves an object (the product) from one point to another in the classroom. These devices (product transport systems) utilize force, motion, and/or energy and transfer that energy though combinations of simple machines. Students may choose to power their machines using a variety of energy sources. Students should identify modifications they might make to power the system sustainably without using non‐renewable sources.

C. Communication

Each student presents an overview of the research that led him/her to the design solution and gives a live demonstration of how the transport system works. Additionally, during an “Engineer’s Debrief,” students discuss in small groups the challenges they faced in building the system (and how they overcame any obstacles), modifications that might make it faster, more efficient, and greener, and possible alternative uses for the device.

D. A completed project consists of:

  1. Notes from the Phase I laboratory experiments on force, motion, and energy
  2. The final product research and development plan
  3. Drawings and flowcharts describing the system
  4. A promotional poster for the final product, including photographs and persuasive text
  5. A video of the live demonstration and class presentation, including the question and answer session
  6. The student’s summary of the “Engineer’s Debrief” small group discussion, including additional research questions for further study
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