Zoomers
Lesson 4
TESLA Balance and Motion 2011
The Big Idea of this Investigation
Our physical world is governed by the properties
and interaction of objects and how force affects
motion.
ENGAGING SCENARIO
The Lewiston Toy Company is very pleased with the
information we have given them about tops. They now
have a new problem for us to work on. They are thinking
about making some toys that are called zoomers. The
Lewiston Toy Company thinks these models could be used
to make more rotating toys and they need your help in
testing them to see if they will work. They have sent us
some materials and printed information that may help us.
They also need us to continue to keep accurate records
and labeled drawings in our science notebooks so we can
report what we found out in a couple of weeks.
• What is the problem we need to solve?
• What do we need to investigate?
Kit Inventory
These are the objects that have been sent to us by the
Lewiston Toy Company. I have put them in this large bag.
Let’s see if we can identify them.
• What color/shape is the object?
• Where have you seen this object before?
• What do you think we will use this for in the unit?
New Vocabulary
The tops we previously made were
spinning toys because they rotated
around an axis when they were in
motion. The Lewiston Toy Company
hopes that we can use some new
materials to make another toy called a
Zoomer.
The Lewiston Toy Company has sent
enough materials so that everyone
will receive string and disks to build a
zoomer.
How can we tell if something is spinning or rotating?
Focus Question
(What is the problem?)
Discuss with your group of scientists a possible focus
question for this investigation.
How can we make a zoomer that spins?
Prediction (related to the focus question)
I think that if we ___________________________
the zoomer will spin. I think this because…
NOTEBOOK ENTRY
Solving our Problem
Scientists always try to make careful observations.
Record examples of how you assembled your zoomer in your science
notebook. Scientists use labels and pay attention to detail so other
people can understand their drawings.
Test your ideas to see if you can solve the problem. If you think
you found a design that works, make a drawing of your design in
your science notebook. Be sure to label all of your drawings.
Sometimes scientist like to record the ideas
that don’t work because these ideas can also
help us understand the problem.
NOTEBOOK ENTRY
Making Meaning Conference
How did you use the materials to make a zoomer?
How were you able to get your zoomer to spin?
Were you able to make your zoomer spin fast or slow?
The Lewiston Toy Company also sent along some different
round disks and some squares to test and see if they can be
made into zoomers.
Test your ideas to see if you can make these new materials
into zoomers. If you think you have an idea that works, make
a drawing of your design in your science notebook. Be sure
to label and describe what you observed.
NOTEBOOK ENTRY
Making Meaning Conference
How are tops and zoomers the same? How are they different?
How did you start the spinning motion of your top? Your zoomer?
How can you change the spinning motion of a zoomer?
Does the design of your zoomer change the way it spins?
Claims and Evidence
Use your own words, or words from the word wall, to help
you complete the following sentences in your science
notebook.
I claim that zoomers are put into motion by…
I know this because…
I claim that zoomers can spin fast or slow by…
I know this because…
NOTEBOOK ENTRY
Reflection/Conclusion
Revisit your original prediction and respond to one of the
following stems:
My prediction was accurate or was not accurate because…..
I wish to revise my prediction because…
My original thinking has changed because…
What did you learn…?
What really surprised you…?
What new questions do you have…?
What would you like to know more about…?
NOTEBOOK ENTRY